Motorcycle crashes in Colorado involving cars and trucks have only gotten worse over time, despite the state’s attempts to educate drivers and tackle the problem. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, although motorcyclists only accounted for 3 percent of everyone on the road on average, they made up 18 percent of accident fatalities. In a vehicle-motorcycle collision, the motorcyclist is usually on the losing side because of the bike’s lighter weight and the fact that the motorcyclist is out in the open without the protection of a car body.
Common Motorcycle Accident Causes
No matter how careful of a motorcyclist you are, you still might end up in an accident because of circumstances beyond your control. One danger motorcyclists face is a lack of attention from other drivers on the road. A driver who isn’t carefully watching the road or aware of his or her surroundings might turn in front of you without realizing you’re even there, resulting in you colliding with the car. They might change lanes suddenly with no warning or follow you too closely, not leaving you enough time to react to the unexpected.
Road conditions are another factor in some bike accidents. If a stretch of road or highway hasn’t been maintained properly, you could find yourself hitting bumps, pot holes, or loose gravel or encountering other hazards that could cause a crash.
If You’re a Victim
If you’re a victim of a motorcycle accident, you might be entitled to compensation under Colorado law. Seek out an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to ensure that your case progresses as smoothly as possible and you don’t lose any of your rights.
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s important you take care of yourself. Don’t wait to get medical care, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as whiplash, take days to appear after an accident. If you don’t seek medical care right away, you could negatively impact your case and more importantly, your health. Delaying treatment can make your recovery longer and sometimes more difficult.
Make sure the accident is reported to the police. Give law enforcement your side of the story, but don’t do anything that could be interpreted as admitting you were at fault. Even if the police seem to feel you caused or are somehow responsible for the accident, remain calm and get your version of events on record.
Don’t give out information about the accident to insurers or parties who represent the other driver because they are not working in your best interest. Refer anyone with questions to your legal representation so you can keep your rights protected and focus on resting and getting better instead.
Take photos of everything, from your injury to the accident scene and your bike. Keep documentation of all your expenses related to the accident, from time you had to miss at work to your medical bills. If you weren’t able to get the names and contact information of witnesses at the accident scene, check the police report; it should identify the witnesses.
We Can Help
The Law Office of Richard J. Banta, P.C. is here to help you get what you’re entitled to. Having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side will take some weight off of you as you recover from the accident. We understand that a bike accident can be a stressful and traumatic event, so we will handle the insurance companies and the other driver’s legal team so you don’t have to deal with it. Your recovery is incredibly important to us, and we will do whatever we can to help it go as smoothly as possible.
If you ever have any questions, we’re ready to answer them and we will keep you up to date as your case moves forward so you never feel uninformed or confused. We look at your case from both the short- and long-term angles to come up with solutions that address your needs and your family’s needs now and in the future.
Speak to us about your case today by calling 303-331-3145. The longer your wait, the harder your case might become, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for experienced legal assistance.
