Motorcyclists are vulnerable to severe, permanent and fatal injuries in accidents. At Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC, we stand up for the rights of motorcyclists who have been injured by the negligent and reckless actions of drivers and other parties in Loveland, Colorado. Find out how a Loveland personal injury lawyer at our firm can help you with the legal process. Request your free consultation today.
Why Hire HSD Law for a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Loveland?
- Our dedicated team of attorneys has decades of experience representing injured motorcyclists and victims’ families in Colorado.
- We have successfully collected millions on behalf of our clients, including $4.5 million for a motorcyclist who was tragically killed by an inattentive driver.
- You won’t pay your motorcycle accident lawyer anything unless we win your case and recover compensation for your damages.
Why Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Loveland, CO?
While all traffic accident cases could benefit from the oversight of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, it is especially important to hire an attorney when facing a motorcycle crash claim in Loveland. Insurance company prejudices against motorcyclists can make it difficult to achieve a fair case outcome as an injured biker.
Your personal injury lawyer can protect your rights during settlement negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster or a trial in Larimer County, if necessary. Investigating your motorcycle crash, determining fault, identifying the defendant(s), collecting evidence, and seeking fair compensation are all tasks a Loveland auto accident lawyer can assist you with while you focus on healing.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Loveland?
Under Colorado’s “tort-based” or “fault-based” car insurance law, the person or party at fault for causing a motorcycle crash is responsible for paying for the victim’s related losses. After a crash, an investigation will be done to determine the cause of the motorcycle wreck. The negligent driver or a third party, such as a part manufacturer, may be held liable for causing the crash.
All drivers in Colorado are required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance to cover the bodily injuries and property damage of others. To access this coverage, you or your motorcycle accident lawyer in Loveland will have to prove fault with evidence that supports your claim against the at-fault party.
What if You Share the Blame for a Motorcycle Accident?
In some cases, a motorcyclist is partially responsible for causing a collision. In these cases, Colorado’s law on shared fault applies. This law is found in Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-111.
The relevant statute states:
“Contributory negligence shall not bar recovery in any action by any person or his legal representative to recover damages for negligence resulting in death or in injury to person or property, if such negligence was not as great as the negligence of the person against whom recovery is sought, but any damages allowed shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of negligence attributable to the person for whose injury, damage, or death recovery is made.”
This is Colorado’s comparative negligence law. Under this law, if you are less than 50% responsible for causing your own motorcycle accident, you can still pursue a claim for compensation from the other defendant who shares the blame. You can collect partial compensation as long as you are not equally responsible for the incident or do not bear the majority of the blame for the accident.
However, your compensation is reduced based on your own percentage of liability. So, for example, if you were 30% to blame and suffered $100,000 in damages, you would collect $70,000 from the other driver.
The 50% bar to recovery is a major obstacle to pursuing a claim, though, as the defendant will likely try to aggressively demonstrate that you bore equal blame or the majority of fault for an accident so they can prevent your recovery.
Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC will help you to gather the necessary evidence, including testimony from accident reconstruction specialists, to protect your claim by correctly apportioning fault for your losses.
What Compensation is Available for a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Loveland, CO?
You may be eligible for compensation for all of the damages that you endured in your motorcycle crash. This can include economic and non-financial losses. Some of the different damages you may be entitled to collect include:
- Your current and future medical bills: You should be compensated for any bills that you have paid up to the time of your settlement or court proceedings, as well as the costs of ongoing medical care that you are likely to need because of your injuries.
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement and other property damage: If your motorcycle or any of your property was damaged as a result of the motorcycle accident, you should be entitled to be repaid for your lost assets.
- Lost wages and lost capacity to earn: When you miss work, take vacation time, or take sick days, you should be compensated for the financial loss that results. When you have suffered lasting injuries because of your motorcycle accident and those injuries affect your ongoing ability to work, you should also be compensated for those losses.
- Pain and suffering: The defendant who caused you to suffer pain due to your injuries should pay for your suffering. Our team helps you prove the extent of your pain and suffering by taking steps like journaling to document your discomfort.
- Emotional distress: When you experience emotional trauma and suffer from issues like PTSD, anxiety, or depression due to the accident or the injuries you have been left with, you should be compensated.
Wrongful death damages are also available after a fatal motorcycle crash and can include things like a lifetime of income loss, as well as lost companionship.
Discuss the potential value of your individual claim with our Loveland wrongful death attorneys before accepting a quick settlement from a car insurance company.
Common Injuries in Loveland Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcyclists who are involved in accidents in Colorado often suffer severe injuries and significant damage, including extensive medical treatment and expensive property damage.
Common injuries include road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and organ damage. Many have to live with permanent physical and emotional scars.
Request Your Free Motorcycle Accident Case Review with Hadfield Stieben Doutt in Loveland Today
A brain injury lawyer in Loveland is an advocate you can trust as you navigate what comes after a motorcycle crash in Loveland. Attorneys at Hadfield Stieben Doutt understand what motorcycle accidents take from clients and works hard to help them fight back.
We will work toward achieving a positive financial outcome for your case while making sure you have everything you need for the best recovery possible.
To speak directly to an experienced Loveland motorcycle accident attorney, you can call our local law office at (970) 221-2800 or contact us online. Initial consultations are always 100 percent free.