Even at a relatively slow speed, a motor vehicle can cause serious injuries when it strikes a pedestrian or cyclist. At Flesch Law, we excel at maximizing compensation in all types of accidents to cover damages from severe injuries such as medical care, financial hardships and lasting effects.
Our firm handles accident claims for injury victims in metro Denver and surrounding Colorado. We are familiar with the major injuries common to bike and pedestrian cases and will work hard to ensure that you get the medical treatment you need to recover as fully as possible. Our experienced trial lawyers also understand the insurance claims process and the legal considerations.
Beware Of Traffic Tickets Or Requests For Statements!
Adding insult to injury, bicycle accident victims struck by motor vehicle drivers are sometimes cited for traffic infractions. This “blame-the-victim” dynamic can hamper your injury claims. Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt that can be used by the insurance company to withhold financial compensation. Any written or recorded statement you give might be twisted around as comparative negligence on your part.
You should get legal advice first before resolving a municipal ticket, entering a plea or giving a statement to an insurance adjuster. As your legal counsel, we will step in quickly to protect your interests.
The Answers You Need For Your Questions
If you had a serious injury as a bicyclist or a pedestrian, you probably have a lot of questions. Fortunately, our team of personal injury attorneys can provide the knowledgeable answers that you need and deserve. Below, we have answered some of the queries that we hear most often from our clients.
How do bike and pedestrian laws work in Colorado?
Colorado’s laws are designed to keep drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists as safe as possible. To this end, drivers have an obligation to cyclists and pedestrians at designated crosswalks. Drivers must also stay at least three feet away from bicycles on the road and should treat cyclists as if they were driving a vehicle. Similarly, pedestrians and cyclists should obey traffic regulations as they apply to motor vehicles, including halting at stop signs and crossing only at designated spots.
Who is liable in a bike or pedestrian accident?
Any party could be liable in a bicycle or pedestrian accident. The liable party is the one who caused the accident. This could involve an at-fault driver who owed a duty of care but failed to yield to a cyclist, a pedestrian who disobeyed traffic signs or a bicyclist who ran a red light.
Do bikers and pedestrians always have the right of way?
In Colorado, pedestrians have the right of way over motor vehicles. Bicycle riders, however, do not. In many cases, a driver has the right of way over a cyclist in a bicycle crash.
What are the common causes of bicycle and pedestrian accidents?
Motor vehicle crashes involving bicycles and pedestrians can have many causes, including:
- Driver negligence
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Not paying attention to bicyclists
- Failure to see a cyclist or pedestrian
- Left turns
- Swerving into the bike lane
- Ignoring the traffic signal
- Failure to yield or stop
- Breaking the speed limit
Some auto accidents involve multiple factors, which makes them even more complex.
What should I do after a bicycle or pedestrian accident?
The first thing to do after any accident is to get medical attention. Then, try to follow these steps:
- Get the contact information and insurance information of the other party.
- Take photos of the accident site.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses.
- Contact the police and have them file an accident report.
- Get in touch with an attorney.
Do not speak with any insurance company representatives. Insurance companies want to make money, not pay your claim. It is always better to have a bicycle accident lawyer and pedestrian accident attorney who can advocate for you to receive fair compensation.
Let Us Take Care Of The Legal Matters
Injury compensation comes from insurance policies. If you were on foot or riding a bike, the negligent driver who hit you is liable for your injuries. But that driver may have limited coverage or no insurance. The party responsible and his or her auto insurance company may dispute liability, even if it was the driver who was careless, distracted or violating traffic and bicycle laws.
We deal with these complex insurance coverage issues on a daily basis. We know how to investigate pedestrian and bike accidents, including tracking down witnesses to find out what they would say at trial. We work closely with clients and their families to understand the scale of the injuries and track the recovery. These efforts will help us present a strong and detailed case to the insurance company or a jury in pursuit of your fullest compensation for your losses and suffering.
Get A Free, No-Obligation Consultation
Our pedestrian and bicycle accident attorneys are compassionate and helpful with you and aggressive in dealing with the negligent party and the insurance companies. Call Flesch Law at (303) 806-8886 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis. We have offices in Denver and Englewood.
