The Greeley bicycle accident lawyers at Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC, represent bicycle accident victims who have been hurt in Colorado crashes.
Under Colorado law, “a person riding a bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, or electric scooter has all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle.” This means bicycle riders can expect other motorists to fulfill their obligations to maintain a safe shared road space.
Unfortunately, many drivers behave unsafely and put cyclists at risk. If that happens to you and you’re hurt or a loved one is killed, you should be able to take legal action against the careless driver. A Greeley personal injury lawyer can help with this process, guiding you as you navigate the legal system and maximizing the chances you’ll get justice.
To find out more about how our firm can fight for you, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.
Top Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Greeley
Bicycle accidents happen for many different reasons, but there are certain common causes of crashes. Some of the most likely reasons for a bike accident include:
- Improper passing
- Failure to yield
- Dooring (when a driver or passenger opens the door right in the cyclist’s path)
- Distracted driving
- Intersection accidents, including right hook crashes where a car cuts across a cyclist’s path, and left cross accidents where a car turns left in front of a bicycle rider
- Speeding
- Road hazards
- Bicyclist error
In some cases, there is a combination of different factors that contribute to the bicycle accident.
When the bicyclist and another driver share the blame, Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-111 applies. Under this rule, Colorado has established a comparative negligence system, allowing someone who was partially at fault for an accident to still get at least some compensation from the other driver.
The key is that you can’t bear the majority of the blame. So you can pursue a case as long as the other motorist was more responsible than you for the crash. Your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault, so if you were 30% responsible, you could collect 70% of the damages.
How a Greeley Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help?
Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC can help you make the strongest possible bike accident claim. Our firm will:
- Investigate how the bicycle accident happened
- Determine if the other driver violated any rules of the road related to bicycle safety
- Consult with witnesses and experts for more insight into how the accident happened
- Obtain police reports, toxicology records, cell phone records, or other evidence that may be relevant to your claim
- Get copies of your medical records so you can demonstrate how much work you missed
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer of the other driver
- Go to court on your behalf to fight for a favorable verdict if no settlement is reached
If you’ve lost a loved one in a bicycle accident in Colorado, reach out to a Greeley wrongful death lawyer to learn about your options.
Contact a Greeley Bike Accident Lawyer Today
At Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC, our bicycle accident lawyers have spent decades fighting for accident victims.
We’ve recovered millions, and we treat every client with the importance that their case deserves because we understand you need fair compensation to rebuild and move forward
To find out how our firm can represent you, give us a call or contact us online today. Â We don’t charge legal fees unless we win, and your consultation is always free.