Experienced Denver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating and cost-effective way to get around. It can also be very risky, as riders are about 35 times more likely than those in passenger vehicles to be injured in a collision each time they get on the road.
When motorcycle accidents happen, the results can be devastating for riders due to:
- The lack of a surrounding structure to absorb the impact – This usually ends up meaning that a significant portion of the force caused by a collision is imparted to riders’ bodies, rather than a vehicle structure.
- The vast weight discrepancy between passenger vehicles and motorcycles – While the average motorcycle weighs between 400 lbs. to 1,000 lbs., the average passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 pounds – between four and ten times what a motorcycle weighs. This means that even low-speed collisions can cause substantial damage to riders.
At Bell & Pollock, P.C., our motorcycle accident attorneys are dedicated to representing injured riders and helping them succeed in their financial recovery. While we can help riders identify all liable parties after an accident, they can also help riders protect their rights, stand up to insurance companies and secure the full amount of compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.
Why Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at our motorcycle accident law firm can investigate your driving incident to make a fair determination of the actual cause of the accident as well as any associated liability. Thanks to our years of experience, we know how to find the evidence we’ll need to represent you, and we know how to preserve the existing evidence. We also know how to assess your losses—not only the ones you’ve already experienced but those that the accident may affect in the future. You need a trial lawyer with experience to negotiate with aggressive insurance companies that don’t have your best interests at heart.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado
If you’re an avid motorcyclist, it’s important to know the various common causes of motorcycle crashes in Colorado. When you understand the most common causes of an accident, you’re more likely to be able to prevent them. Understanding the cause of your accident will also help your motorcycle accident attorney build a good case. We’ve compiled a list for you, along with some things you can do to avoid these types of accidents:
Head-on Collisions with Other Vehicles
Nearly four out of five two-vehicle motorcycle accidents are due to the motorcycle being struck by another vehicle from the front. These types of accidents can be particularly deadly for bikers who do not have the same level of protection against collisions as car and truck drivers do. These accidents occur under a variety of different circumstances, including drivers running red lights, failing to yield the right of way, or turning left into a moving motorcycle.
Defects in the Road
While a patch of gravel or a minor pothole might be trivial to a passenger vehicle, these relatively small defects can result in catastrophic results for a motorcyclist. It’s generally up to the jurisdiction in which you are riding to prevent these dangerous defects, which also include things like cracks, uneven pavement, and dips. Malfunctioning traffic lights can also be at fault. Premises liability claims are often possible in the event of an accident caused by a roadway defect.
Rider Negligence
Single vehicle accidents are often, as noted above, caused by dangerous roadways. Defective motorcycle parts may also cause some. Sadly, however, the negligence of the cyclist can also be a contributing factor. Avoid driving after drinking—for example, over 1/4th of motorcycle operators that died due to an accident in 2016 had excessive blood alcohol limits. Don’t speed, and always follow the rules of the road.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand just how serious the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be for our clients. There are many types of damages and losses you can pursue after an accident, including compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained. These injuries may result in current costs, like medical bills or lost wages from work. They can also be part of a calculation that includes losses in the future, like the loss of future earnings. You need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you navigate this part of the law.
Some of the life-changing injuries you might experience if you were in a motorcycle accident include:
Traumatic Brain Injury
These are some of the most severe injuries that one might suffer due to a severe crash. Traumatic brain injuries can have life long consequences, like memory changes, mood alteration, fatigue, chronic pain, loss of balance, dizziness, and more. When not adequately treated, traumatic brain injuries can be deadly.
Spinal Cord Injury
The victim of a spinal cord injury may require more than a quarter of a million dollars to manage their treatment and other expenses in the very first year following their accident. Many require long-term health care and assistance with even basic tasks. Because of the many types of spinal cord injury, symptoms cover a wide range of possibilities, including nerve pain, breathing difficulties, or even paralysis.
Road Rash
When a motorcyclist strikes the pavement, they often slide across it. In some cases, this can damage multiple layers of their skin. These injuries may not seem dangerous initially, or the damage may be immediately apparent. In either case, it is often necessary for victims of road rash to obtain reconstructive surgery and skin grafts.
Amputation
If damage to one or more of the cyclist’s limbs is severe enough, it may require amputation. Amputation is costly both in the short- and long-term. Expensive surgeries, prosthetics, and therapies are often required, with amputees needing to adapt to doing basic tasks like walking or writing.
Denver & Colorado Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Colorado is seeing rising numbers of motorcycle deaths. In response, the Colorado Department of Transportation is launching a new motorcycle safety campaign, with the aim of encouraging both new and veteran motorcyclists to join the Colorado Motorcycle Operator Safety Training Program. This campaign, known as Ride Wise, will set forth such positive messages as “live free, die old.”
It should come as no surprise that this has become a priority for the department, with statistics like these to draw from:
- The 106 deaths from motorcycle accidents in 2015 showed an increase of almost 12 percent from the previous year, and 20 percent higher than the number of recorded deaths in 2013.
- Nearly 80 percent of the deaths in 2015 were riders between 16 and 55 years of age
- 94 percent of the deaths from motorcycle accidents were men
- 40 percent of the accidents occurred in three counties: Denver, El Paso, and Jefferson
Can I Still File a Suit if I Was Partly to Blame for My Motorcycle Accident Injury?
Sometimes motorcyclists believe that if they contributed to the accident themselves, they aren’t entitled to compensation for their injuries. On the contrary, Colorado’s doctrine of comparative negligence means you may very well be entitled to compensation, even if you were partly at fault. The only time you are not able to receive compensation is if you were primarily at fault. As long as your fault is calculated to be less than 50 percent, you may be able to receive at least partial compensation for your injuries. For example, if it is decided that you were 15 percent at fault, you’re still entitled to 85 percent of the calculated compensation.
Contact the Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Bell & Pollock, P.C.
If you have been injured in an accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, you can turn to Bell & Pollock, P.C. for experienced help with your financial recovery. At Bell & Pollock, our motorcycle accident lawyers are proud to be champions of the people, providing victims of negligence with superior legal representation to help them obtain the full amount of compensation they deserve.
To find out more about how we can help you, call us at (303) 795-5900 or email our firm using the contact form on this page to schedule a free consultation with a Denver motorcycle accident attorney. During this meeting, you will receive clear, honest legal advice about your case, your rights and your best options for moving forward, which can help you make the best decision for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The driver and/or passenger can file a personal injury claim. An experienced accident attorney can advise you on your legal rights.
Yes. Riders and passengers over 18 are not legally required to wear a helmet.
Accident victims in Colorado have 180 days to file a claim. If 180 days have lapsed, you may not be able to file a claim.
All Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear eye protection regardless of age. Goggles and eyeglasses with safety plastic are acceptable. Windshields are not considered eye protection.
Motorcycle drivers and passengers over 18 are not required to wear a helmet. Drivers and passengers under 18 are required to wear a DOT–approved helmet.
Victims may be entitled to various types of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases of severe or fatal injuries, additional damages such as loss of consortium or wrongful death compensation may also be pursued. To explore the specific types of compensation you might be eligible for, get in touch with us.
Additional Information in Denver, Colorado
Contact Us
Call a trusted attorney at Bell & Pollock, P.C. at (303) 795-5900 to get on the road to recovery now. You can also email our firm via the contact firm on this page.
As proud champions of the people, our lawyers are ready to answer your questions, explain the law and your rights, and help you take whatever steps necessary to recover the compensation you’re entitled to. With us in your corner, you can be confident that you have the legal support and representation necessary to successfully resolve your claim.
Don’t delay your recovery for a second longer – and don’t be misguided into thinking that you have to go through the process alone. Our attorneys are here, ready to help – and you won’t have to pay us anything until (or unless) there is a recovery in your case.
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Case Results
WE KNOW HOW TO WIN
CASE: Client was injured by a drunk driver. As a result of the motor vehicle accident, client was rendered a quadriplegic and needed a life care plan.
Outcome: $9,600,000
CASE: Against Insurance company for failure to pay for property damage after a gas and fire explosion.
Outcome: $1,600,000
CASE: Medical malpractice for failure to diagnose a descending aorta aneurism, resulting in death.
Outcome: $1,300,000
CASE: Neck and back injuries from car accident. Client had ongoing symptoms and needed injections for attempted remediation of pain.
Settled for $485,000
CASE: Client was injured in a 2 vehicle collision. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, concussion and multiple injuries to the neck.
Outcome: $6,000,000
CASE: Client was in her car and was T-Boned by a commercial vehicle. Her cerebral spinal fluid leaked and she suffered a concussion and traumatic brain injury with neck and lumbar (low back) injuries. Her neck injury caused radiating pain, numbness and tingling in her arms.
Outcome: $3,400,000
CASE: Client was driving on a rural road when another car crossed the center line and caused a head-on collision in the snow and ice. Client did physical work for a living. Both knees were injured, along with a neck injury.
Outcome: $2,300,000
CASE: Client was driving on South Parker road when another vehicle rapidly changed lanes and rear-ended the client. That vehicle was cited for careless driving. The collision caused a concussion with traumatic brain Injury. Client missed time from work and had a positive correlation between brain scan and neuropsychological test results.
Outcome: $950,000
CASE: Client was rear ended by a dump truck, was then knocked forward and hit another vehicle. Client had a concussion with traumatic brain injury. Client underwent a brain scan which showed hypoperfusion, correlated with her concussion symptoms. Client suffered neck injuries and injuries to her low back.
Outcome: $650,000
CASE: Client was rear-ended. The mechanism of injury from the forces in the collision caused her neck injury and at the same time, damaged her organs inside her throat. Client had swallowing and choking issues.
Outcome: $1,250,000
CASE: Client was in a motor vehicle accident. Both injections in the neck rendered some temporary relief. The Injections were transforaminal epidural steroid injections. Surgery was recommended on the lumbar (low back). The low back was injured by the forces in the collisions.
Outcome: $933,000
CASE: The client was driving in her car and was rear-ended thereby causing injuries to her lower back and neck. Client also suffered a concussion. Client had to undergo facet injections multiple times, through multiple procedures. Client also had cognitive issues which required cognitive training and therapy.
Outcome: $400,000
CASE: Client was entering a highway from an on ramp and was rear-ended by a commercial van. Client tested positive for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and failed conservative treatment. Client underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgey, which involved removal of the first rib to attempt to relieve pressure in the thoracic outlet. Client also suffered a back injury.
Outcome: $750,000
CASE: Client was injured by a drunk driver, who crossed the center line of the road. Client underwent multiple surgeries and could not work. Client was late 40s and needed a modified life care plan.
Outcome: $750,000
CASE: Client was rear ended by a tow truck driver who was a diabetic. The diabetic at fault party was a non-compliant diabetic and claimed he had a syncope episode, and was “blacked out”. Client had a preexisting back condition known and the forces from the collision aggravated, or made worse, the preexisting back condition in addition to, causing neck injuries.
Outcome: $350,000
CASE: Client was a passenger in a car where the driver fell asleep on a country road in the early morning hours. The car rolled multiple times. Client had eye injuries, facial injuries and neck and knee injuries.
Outcome: $850,000
CASE: Client was on the job, driving her own car, when she was rear-ended. She suffered a concussion with traumatic brain injury and pursued Workers Compensation Claim.
Outcome: $150,000
CASE: Client slipped and fell on snow and ice in Central City. He suffered back injuries, that did not require injections.
Outcome: $125,000
CASE: Client slipped and fell on snow and ice on a sidewalk in front of a business. She had to have knee surgery and multiple injections in her back.
Outcome: $175,000
CASE: Client was visiting a friend who was renting a house. Client tripped on untreated, dangerous section of deck and injured his back.
Outcome: $150,000
CASE:Client was rear ended and needed fusion spinal surgery. Insurance proceeds were limited.
Outcome: $125,000
CASE:Client was rear-ended and had to have rotator cuff surgery. Insurance proceeds were limited.
Settled for $65,000
CASE:Client was at Denver International Aiport traveling through Denver, slipped and fell and broke her ankle.
Settled for $118,750
CASE:Client was exposed to mold in a multi-family dwelling that was caused by leaking water.
Settled for $125,000
CASE:Motorcycle accident, reconstructive surgery, post-traumatic stress disorder, neurological injuries
Settled for $1,275,000
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I could not have made a better decision than to call Bell & Pollock with my case. Dana Miller and her team were the best.
THEY WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL, KEPT ME INFORMED AND DID WHAT I WOULD CALL A SPECTACULAR JOB- THEY SEEM TO PREACH “LEGAL GAME PLAN” AND EVEN WROTE A BOOK ABOUT IT- IT BASICALLY MEANS THEY HAVE STRATEGIES FOR YOU AND YOUR CASE AND I MEAN EVERYTHING WAS SOUND AND ANALYZED.
I appreciate brad and his team the bell and Pollock attorneys are by far the best ones i have ever worked with.
Brad Pollock is educated, experienced, and is the world’s greatest attorney. Marlena Elsloo helps him focus in on the most important issues.
He is very professional and we would recommend Mr. Bell to anyone who is looking for an attorney.
He was kind, compassionate and knowledgeable, but also tenacious when working with the insurance companies.
I was blessed to be put in contact with Dana, who not only provided me free feedback and counsel when we spoke on the phone, but also took the time to call me back on multiple occasions to check on me.Dana Miller, you are a sweet, caring and amazing person and I appreciate all your help.