Bicycle accidents are a significant concern in Colorado’s tourist areas and mountain towns. Our state averages nearly 1,400 bicycle crashes each year, with tourist-heavy counties reporting disproportionately severe incidents that attorneys across the state are addressing through claims and litigation.
So keep reading to learn the common causes of bicycle accidents in tourist areas and the steps you can take to stay safe. Then, meet with a dedicated member of The Wilhite Law Firm team to get your case started with a free consultation.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of bicycle accidents in tourist areas. Motorists using GPS, adjusting music, texting, or photographing the scenery cannot see cyclists in busy sightseeing or commercial zones. To combat this issue, Colorado enforces a comprehensive Hands-Free Law (C.R.S. § 42-4-239), making it illegal for adults to text while driving and completely prohibits minors from using cell phones behind the wheel.
Right-Hook and Left Cross Collisions
There are a couple of common driving maneuvers that put bikers at risk, including the “right hook.” In this case, a driver passes a cyclist and immediately turns right, cutting off the rider or blocking the bike lane. Another culprit is the “left-cross,” in which a driver coming from the opposite direction turns left across the cyclist’s path at an intersection, often misjudging the bicycle’s speed, causing a collision.
Dooring
“Dooring” a cyclist is extremely dangerous, as they could face devastating consequences, from traumatic brain injuries and severe lacerations to broken bones and even death. Passengers or drivers in parked cars open their doors directly into the path of a passing cyclist, causing them to collide with a hard metal door or be thrown into moving traffic. This is a frequent issue in crowded downtown corridors, such as Denver or Boulder.
Unsafe Passing
Motorists fail to adhere to Colorado’s mandatory Three-Foot Passing Law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1003) when overtaking bicycles on narrow or winding mountain roads. The law applies to the widest point of the vehicle, including mirrors, and the widest point of the cyclist.
Driveway Pull-outs
Drivers pulling out of busy resort parking lots, alleyways, or driveways without looking for cyclists is a common cause of accidents in tourist areas. Under the Colorado Bike Lane Law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1412), cyclists in a bike lane have the right-of-way. When a driver needs to cross or enter a bike lane, they are required to yield to any cyclist already in that lane.
Reach Out to Us With Your Bicycle Accident Questions
The Wilhite Law Firm is the oldest law firm in the area for a reason: We win. So if you have questions about a bicycle accident in a tourist area, contact us for help.
Whether you are vacationing in Aspen or on business in the Denver Metro area, these hotspots for bicycle collisions could put you at risk of a catastrophic injury. Do not try to manage your claim alone and risk a denial or lowball offer. With a skilled legal advocate on your side, we would work hard to maximize your compensation.
