Bicyclists are increasingly common around Denver. The city has plenty of trails and pathways for recreational cycling, and many people commute to work on bikes. However, bicycle riders remain vulnerable to serious injuries when sharing roads with cars and trucks. Unfortunately, many motorists do not look out for cyclists or respect bicyclists’ rights to ride on the road. Cyclists often suffer serious injuries in preventable accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident and you suspect a motorist was at fault, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm today. Talking to a Denver bicycle accident lawyer right after an accident helps you understand your legal options and gives you the best chance of recovering compensation for your injuries.
In Colorado, bicycles are legally recognized as vehicles, meaning cyclists generally share the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. If you have been hit by a negligent driver while riding your bike and are physically able to take swift action after the fact, your first priority is getting medical attention and preserving evidence before it is cleared from the road.
Call 911 immediately. Adrenaline often hides fractures or internal injuries even if you don’t think you were seriously hurt.
Unless it is in a dangerous traffic lane, leave the bicycle and your gear exactly where they landed until police document the scene.
Request that a formal report is filed by the police. Even if the driver is apologetic, an official record is vital for a future legal claim.
Photograph your location, your bike’s position, all vehicles involved, skid marks and other debris immediately.
Get the driver’s license, insurance card, and license plate of the vehicle that hit you.
If your helmet is cracked or damaged, do not throw it away. It is physical evidence of the force of the impact.
Cyclists are often unfairly blamed for these cases. Get names and numbers of bystanders who saw the driver’s actions (e.g., failing to yield or distracted driving).
Do not discuss your health or fault with the driver’s insurance adjuster.
Don’t post about the accident on social media.
You should contact The Wilhite Law Firm as soon as possible. Insurance companies often use recorded statement traps (inconsistent answers, downplaying injuries) and comparative negligence rules (blaming the cyclist) to devalue claims. Having legal counsel from The Wilhite Law Firm early is the best way to protect a potential future settlement.
What Injuries Are Common in Denver Bicycle Accidents?
Our experienced bike accident lawyers have been helping people seek full compensation for serious injuries for nearly 50 years. We have 22 highly qualified lawyers and more than 90 support staff, giving our firm the resources to handle the most challenging cases. Among our many honors and awards, we have a 10/10 rating from Avvo and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. To speak to one of our bike accident attorneys, call our Denver office or visit our contact page.
Bicycle helmets offer some protection to cyclists if they’re involved in an accident. Yet, cyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash. Most small cars weigh 2,000 to 3,000 pounds, and bigger vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs may weigh 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.
Even at low speeds, these vehicles pack tremendous force if they hit a cyclist. If the cyclist is hit by a bigger vehicle, such as a semi-truck, their injuries may be catastrophic or fatal.
“I enjoy time on my bike because it’s a unique and personal way to see the world! After traveling to over 20 countries to compete in the Ironman Race, I have a different perspective and experience than I would have otherwise!”
Injuries in a bicycle accident can lead to costly medical bills. If your injuries adversely affect your ability to work, then dealing with your medical care can become a financial nightmare. A skilled Denver bike accident attorney can help you file a claim against the motorist who caused your injuries and demand the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses.
Aggressive driving (failing to use turn signals, speeding, unsafe merges, and lane changes, following too closely, stopping suddenly)
Impatient drivers who do not give cyclists enough space while passing or trying to pass when it is unsafe to do so
Drivers opening their car doors without looking
You choose a bike for its Power, its Reliability and its Maneuverability. A law firm should give you the same satisfaction. Give us a look and you’ll see why we measure up to those principles!
– Robert Wilhite, bicycle rider
What Compensation Is Available for a Bicycle Accident in Colorado?
After sustaining injuries in a bicycle crash, you will need to continue treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) to ensure all future medical costs are known before seeking a settlement. Once damages are clear, your lawyer will send a formal demand package to the insurance company outlining the evidence and requested compensation.
The Wilhite Law Firm uses a trial-ready strategy designed to counteract the common lowball tactics of insurance adjusters. Most adjusters only look at your current ER bills. Our firm uses life-care planners and economists to calculate future medical costs and the total loss of lifetime earning capacity. If a fair settlement is not reached, our team can proceed with filing a lawsuit.
Immediately after the incident, your attorney will collect evidence to establish the four elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Essential evidence can include:
Medical records and bills – These are the most critical pieces of evidence. They must explicitly connect your injuries to the accident (causation) and show a consistent history of treatment to avoid claims of pre-existing conditions.
Official reports – Police reports provide an objective record, often including officer notes, diagrams, and citations that support your account.
Visual documentation – High-quality photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, road hazards, and your visible injuries provide a clear story of the impact.
Witness statements – Independent accounts from bystanders serve as vital tie-breakers in liability disputes.
Employment and income records – To recover lost wages, you need pay stubs or tax records proving the financial impact of missed work.
Expert testimony – Accident reconstructionists or medical specialists may be required to explain complex technical facts to a jury.
Many bicycle accident victims find themselves facing significant medical expenses after the crash. Their injuries may prevent them from working. This can put an injured rider in a serious financial bind. If the insurance company denies or delays the claim, the situation may become even more stressful.
Colorado law allows bicyclists to recover compensation for their injuries and related expenses after an accident, if they were the victim of someone else’s negligence. Drivers have a responsibility to look out for cyclists. Drivers who disregard traffic laws and drive unsafely should be held accountable for the injuries they cause. When filing an injury claim against the at-fault driver, you may request compensation for:
Your past medical expenses, such as hospital stays, doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and lab work
Our Denver cyclist injury attorneys could help you seek compensation for the full extent of your injuries.
Colorado Bicycle Accident Stats
Bicycle accidents have been increasing as more people use bikes to commute or for recreation around Colorado. Here are a few statistics about bicycle accidents in Colorado:
A total of 20 cyclists died in bicycle accidents in Colorado in 2019, including 9 in the Denver area, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
Denver has more than 175 miles of bicycle lanes throughout the city, with plans to install another 50 miles.
The majority of Denverites (59 percent) would like to ride a bicycle, but only when it is safer and more convenient to ride, the Denver Department of Transportation reports. About 16 percent of people in the Denver area feel confident riding bicycles on the street.
A report from Denver Public Works found there were 1,325 bicycle crashes reported in Denver during a five-year period and that half of all bicycle accidents result in at least one injury.
Colorado’s bicycle accident statistics highlight a significant safety concern for riders in Denver and statewide and underscore the importance of understanding your legal rights after a crash. These numbers show how common and serious bicycle accidents are, often due to driver negligence.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident in Denver?
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you should have a lawyer review the accident and discuss your legal options. If someone else caused the bicycle accident, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation. Failing to explore your legal options can prove costly.
An insurance company may dispute or deny a claim if it’s not immediately clear who was at fault for a crash. An experienced bicycle accident attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm in Denver can gather the evidence needed to build a persuasive case for compensation on your behalf. If you don’t have a skilled bike accident attorney representing your interests, you could wind up having your claim reduced, delayed, or flat-out denied.
Here are a few key indicators that you need help from an attorney after a bicycle accident:
Your injuries resulted in a permanent disability – Damage to your head, neck, back, or spinal cord from a bicycle accident can impair your ability to do many activities. These injuries often require ongoing, expensive treatment. You will need to take advantage of all the financial resources available to pay for the care you need.
There’s a dispute over who is at fault – If the party that caused your accident disputes your claim, you’ll need strong evidence to support your claim. To obtain maximum compensation for your injuries, you’ll need extensive documentation of your losses and evidence of the other side’s liability.
There were multiple parties involved – Depending on the circumstances of the bicycle accident, there could be multiple parties potentially liable in your personal injury claim. More liable parties mean more insurance companies involved and more negotiations.
Your insurance claim has been denied or delayed – Insurance companies often try to shade the facts of a case to limit their liability and how much they have to pay when someone makes a claim. They may even deny your claim outright. When this happens, you’ll want a seasoned legal professional to help you refute their case so you can get the compensation you deserve.
You have only a limited amount of time after an accident involving a motor vehicle to file a personal lawsuit. Critical evidence can deteriorate quickly. You should seek the help of a lawyer as soon as possible after a serious accident. The attorney can make sure all evidence is preserved and build a case supporting your claim. Our attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm can handle all the legal legwork on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
A dedicated and compassionate Denver bicycle accident lawyer is ready to listen to you and get you the legal help you need. Call The Wilhite Law Firm today or fill out our contact form to get a free case review. If we take your case, you don’t owe us any fees unless we obtain compensation for you through an insurance settlement or court award.
