If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, then our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers can help. Motorcycle accidents often result in severe, expensive and life-changing injuries. If someone else was even partially to blame for your injuries, you deserve financial compensation.
Why Hire a Douglas County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
With hundreds of accidents every year, we’re sadly very familiar with how quickly medical costs, lost wages and other expenses can add up. We also know how difficult insurance companies and opposing lawyers can be – especially if both sides share some responsibility for the accident.
Our Douglas County Motorcycle accident lawyers can provide hope for your future. With a combination of experience, expertise and contact with specialists to support your case, we can help you receive the money you deserve.
We don’t give in to the notorious tricks and pressuring tactics of insurers. We’ve seen it all and will aggressively fight to help you get the maximum payout possible.
Feel free to contact Douglas County Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- 137 motorcyclists died in Colorado in 2020.
- 52% were not wearing helmets.
- 84,000 motorcyclists were injured in the U.S. in 2019.
- Per 100,000 motorcycles, 59.49 are involved in fatal crashes.
- 42% of 2016’s fatal crashes in Colorado involved only the motorcycle and no other vehicle.
Common Causes of Douglas County Motorcycle Accidents:
Our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers have seen many different causes of accidents, including:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in Douglas County. Car drivers, bus drivers and other motorcyclists can be found guilty of eating, drinking or using their cell phones.
When this happens, drivers may brake too late, miss a motorcyclist coming past them or ignore traffic signals.
According to the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), failing to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is a predominant cause of accidents.
Bad Road Conditions
Motorcycles can be sensitive to potholes and other road conditions such as debris, rain and snow. Unlike in a car accident, a rider can get thrown off a motorcycle easily and violently. In some accidents, a driver might also swerve to avoid a pothole and then collide with another vehicle.
If this happens, the city itself may be liable.
Defective Motorcycle Parts
We have seen cases where motorcycle accidents in Douglas County have been caused by a malfunction or part failure. If a part, such as the brakes, fails unexpectedly, then the manufacturer may be liable.
Drunk Driving
Around 28 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving-related crashes every day. These accidents need little explanation and it is often undeniable which driver is at fault. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Douglas County motorcycle accident caused by a drunk driver, contact Douglas County Personal Injury Lawyers so we can fight for the money you deserve.
Improper and Illegal Turns
According to the DOT, 66% of accidents with other vehicles were caused when a motorcyclist’s right-of-way was violated – often when a car makes a left-hand turn into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
Running red lights, failing to yield and other violations should all result in the victim being compensated for their damages.
Speeding
Speeding is a leading cause of all traffic fatalities – 26%. These crashes reduce the ability of road safety structures (such as guardrails) to protect motorists and result in serious injuries.
Reckless Driving
Road rage and pure ignorance cause far too many serious motorcycle accidents. If you’ve been injured due to reckless driving, you should contact a Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyer who can aggressively fight to earn you the compensation
you deserve.
Common Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents in Douglas County:
Our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers have experience helping recover damages for the following injuries:
- Amputation
- Back, shoulder, and neck injury
- Brain Injury
- Burn injuries
- Catastrophic injury
- Chest injury
- Crushing injury
- Degloving
- Eye injury
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injury, including concussion
- Paralysis
- Scarring & Disfigurement
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Liability for Motorcycle Accidents in Douglas County
Who Was Liable for My Injuries?
To make a motorcycle personal injury claim a success, you need to prove that the other party was negligent and that their negligence directly resulted in your injuries. The responsible party varies depending on the circumstances. Common liable parties include:
- Other drivers
- Pedestrians
- Other motorcyclists
- Manufacturers
- Road maintenance agencies
Partial Responsibility
If you fear you were partly to blame for the accident, then you may still be able to receive compensation for the accident thanks to Colorado’s ‘Comparable Fault Laws’.
The Comparable Fault Laws require that each case is analyzed to see what share of responsibility there was for the accident.
If, for example, you were speeding but the other party ignored a red light, then you may be able to still recover a sizable percentage of your damages.
Retain Evidence of Your Injuries and Damages
We advise that victims retain as much evidence of the accident and the injuries as possible, to support their case. Photos, witness reports, police reports, medical bills and doctors’ notes can all help create a paper trail that proves a direct link between the accident and your injury expenses.
Our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers can help gather and protect evidence to build a robust case that gives you the best chance of winning the compensation you deserve.
What Damages Could I Recover for a Motorcycle Accident in Douglas County?
Our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers often help victims recover damages such as:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses (past and future, since the date of the accident)
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Treatment Costs
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Future Earnings
- In-Home Care Expenses
- Childcare Costs
- Medical Equipment Costs
- Transportation Expenses
Non-Economic Damages
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Loss of Consortium
- Depression
- PTSD
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Scarring / Disfigurement
- Long-Term Disability
- Potential Punitive Damages
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death
Douglas County Motorcycle Laws
Motorcycle riders must follow laws and regulations while on Colorado roads. The Colorado Department of Transportation requires that motorcycle riders follow the same traffic laws as other motor vehicles.
However, there are also some motorcycle specific laws:
- R.S. § 42-2-103 requires all motorcycle riders to have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license.
- R.S. § 42-4-1502 requires motorcycle drivers must:
- Ride while sitting on the seat, with one leg on each side.
- Never carry a package or do anything that prevents them from having both hands on the handles.
- Never carry a passenger in a way that interferes with the operation of the motorcycle.
- Ensure all passengers under 18 years old wear helmets.
- R.S. § 42-4-232 requires all riders wear goggles or glasses made of safety glass or plastic.
Douglas County Motorcycle Helmet Laws
In 2017, the state’s helmet requirement law was revoked. As of 2021, only passengers aged 18 or under must legally wear helmets.
However, the state and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) strongly advise using helmets to reduce the risk of fatality in motorcycle accidents.
A study from the University of Michigan found that the fatality rate of those not wearing helmets was double the rate of those wearing helmets.
The average cost of care given to riders without helmets was around $28,000 – 32% higher than care costs for helmeted riders.
Can I Sue Even if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
As stated above, if you’re over 18 years old, you are not legally obliged to wear a helmet.
The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled in the past that failure to wear a helmet does not make a rider negligent or warrant a reduction in the damages owed.
However, an insurance company or opposing lawyer may use this against you, which is why it’s advised to contact our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers who will fight aggressively on your behalf.
What if a Loved One Died in a Motorcycle Accident in Douglas County?
If someone close to you has died in a motorcycle accident in Douglas County, then you can file a wrongful death claim. These types of claims are designed to help the surviving families recover damages such as funeral expenses, medical bills and the suffering they’ve experienced following their loss.
In the heartbreaking scenario where you’ve lost a loved one, we welcome you to contact Douglas County Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Colorado’s Statute of Limitations limits the time you have to file a personal injury claim to just two years from the date of the injury. However, the state provides an extra year (three in total) for a personal injury claim that includes a motorized vehicle. (§13-80-102 and §13-80-101).
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Douglas County, CO
Free Consultations
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our Douglas County motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible.
Even if you’re unsure whether someone else was at fault, we can look into your case and determine what’s possible.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better team than Denver Personal Injury Lawyers.
