With warmer weather approaching, people in Denver and across Colorado will likely be keen to get out and enjoy the fresh air while running, hiking, biking and walking. However, with all these activities comes increased risks of auto-pedestrian accidents. Cyclists who share the roads with automobiles face the same elevated risks.
Bicycles are counted as vehicles, and automobile drivers must treat cyclists as road users with the same rights, and subject to the same laws. However, many drivers disregard both pedestrians and bicyclists. Bicycle riders face unique hazards because they are considered pedestrians when they ride on sidewalks, but their bicycles become vehicles when they ride on the roadways.
Safety authorities say the most hazardous time for bicyclists is when they enter the roadway from a sidewalk or pedestrian zone. The laws related to the dismounting of a bicycle before entering a crosswalk have some gray areas that might increase the risks of being struck by a vehicle. While vehicles must yield for pedestrians in crosswalks, they do not owe the same consideration to bicycles being ridden in these zones, so walking a bicycle across the street is less dangerous.
Victims of auto-pedestrian accidents or bicyclists who were knocked down by vehicles in Colorado might have grounds to pursue claims for financial relief. The lack of protection while walking or riding typically leads to severe physical injuries when struck by vehicles, and the economic consequences of mounting medical bills, lost wages and other losses might be severe. This is where the support and guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney can be invaluable. If the negligence of an auto driver caused the accident, damages might be recovered by the successful presentation of a civil lawsuit.
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