Intersections and “Right Hook” Collisions: Intersections in Denver are among the most dangerous places for motorcyclists. Many crashes happen when a car makes a right-hand turn directly in front of a rider, either misjudging speed or failing to notice the motorcycle altogether. These “right hook” collisions are especially common during heavy traffic hours in downtown Denver, when visibility is reduced and drivers are in a rush.
Speeding and Impairment: According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, speed and impairment remain major factors in motorcycle fatalities statewide. In fact, 20% of Colorado’s motorcycle deaths in 2024 involved impaired riding or driving. In Denver, where nightlife and crowded urban roadways are common, impaired or speeding drivers frequently put riders at risk.
Lack of Helmet Use: Helmet use is not required for adult riders in Colorado, but the decision to ride without one can be deadly. CDOT reports that 44% of the 165 motorcyclists killed in Colorado in 2024 were not wearing helmets (Colorado Department of Transportation). While helmet choice may not prevent an accident, it often determines the severity of injuries, and insurance companies may try to use this against victims. A knowledgeable Denver motorcycle accident attorney will ensure your rights are protected regardless of helmet use.
Lane Filtering Confusion: Colorado recently legalized lane filtering under specific conditions, but lane splitting, or riding between moving vehicles, remains illegal. This change has led to confusion among drivers and riders alike and, in some cases, has contributed to Denver motorcycle accidents. An experienced attorney can help prove when a rider was operating legally and when another motorist’s misunderstanding of the law caused a crash.
Other factors such as distracted driving, poor weather conditions, defective motorcycle parts, and dangerous roadways maintained by the City and County of Denver also contribute to collisions. A skilled Denver motorcycle accident attorney will investigate every possible cause to determine liability and strengthen your claim.
Common Types of Injuries in Denver Motorcycle Accidents
The injuries suffered in a Denver motorcycle accident are often severe, requiring extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and, in some cases, lifelong care. Unlike passengers in cars, motorcyclists lack the protection of seat belts, airbags, or a metal frame, which means their bodies absorb the full impact of a crash.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, riders are vulnerable to concussions and severe brain trauma. Without a helmet, the risk is exponentially higher. TBIs can lead to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, personality changes, and permanent disability.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal trauma is one of the most devastating consequences of motorcycle accidents in Denver. A fractured vertebra or severed spinal cord may leave a victim partially or fully paralyzed, requiring lifelong medical assistance and adaptive equipment.
- Road Rash and Internal Injuries: Sliding across pavement can cause deep abrasions known as road rash, which often require skin grafts and carry a high risk of infection. Blunt-force trauma can also lead to internal bleeding or organ damage, which may not be immediately obvious at the scene of the accident but can be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The impact of being thrown from a motorcycle often results in broken arms, legs, ribs, and hips. These injuries may require multiple surgeries, extended physical therapy, and time away from work.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, torn ligaments, and whiplash are also common. While sometimes dismissed as “minor,” these injuries can cause chronic pain and limit mobility for months or even years after a Denver motorcycle accident.
- Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical harm, motorcycle accidents often cause emotional distress. Victims may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, especially when the accident results in disfigurement or the loss of a loved one.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Denver will not only document visible physical injuries but also work with medical and psychological experts to prove the long-term impact on your quality of life. This ensures you pursue full and fair compensation, not just for today’s expenses, but for the costs you’ll face in the years ahead.
Determining Liability in a Denver Motorcycle Accident
One of the most important aspects of any Denver motorcycle accident case is determining who is legally responsible for the crash. Liability is not always straightforward, and several parties may share responsibility depending on how the accident occurred. Establishing liability is critical because it directly impacts the compensation you may recover.
- Other Drivers: In most Denver motorcycle accidents, negligent drivers are to blame. A common scenario involves a driver making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle or failing to yield at an intersection. Distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, or failing to check blind spots are all forms of negligence that can place liability on another motorist.
- Government Entities: The City and County of Denver are responsible for maintaining safe roads. If your accident was caused by a dangerous roadway condition, such as a missing traffic sign, large potholes, loose gravel, or unsafe construction zones, the government could be held liable. These claims are complex because they involve strict notice requirements and shortened deadlines, which is why hiring an experienced Denver motorcycle accident attorney is essential.
- Vehicle or Equipment Manufacturers: Sometimes, a defect in the motorcycle itself or in its parts causes an accident. Faulty brakes, defective tires, or electrical system failures can all lead to serious crashes. In these cases, manufacturers, distributors, or mechanics may be held liable under product liability laws.
- Riding Partners or Third Parties: In multi-vehicle accidents involving other motorcyclists, passengers, or even pedestrians, liability may be shared. For example, if another rider suddenly cut you off, forcing you into a collision, that party could bear some responsibility for your injuries.
To establish liability, your Denver motorcycle accident attorney will gather and analyze all available evidence. This may include:
- Police reports documenting the scene
- Witness statements from bystanders or other drivers
- Traffic camera and surveillance footage from nearby intersections
- Accident reconstruction reports prepared by experts
By building a comprehensive case, your attorney ensures that all liable parties are identified and held accountable for the harm they caused.
Denver, Colorado Motorcycle Laws
Riding a motorcycle in Denver, Colorado involves understanding and complying with a set of state laws designed to promote rider safety and reduce accidents. Because Colorado has updated its motorcycle regulations in recent years, confusion among drivers and riders is common, and this confusion often plays a role in Denver motorcycle accidents.
Helmet Laws
In Colorado, helmets are required only for riders and passengers under the age of 18. Adult riders may choose not to wear a helmet, but this decision can have consequences in a personal injury case. Insurance companies often try to argue that a victim’s injuries were worse because of the lack of a helmet. A skilled Denver motorcycle accident attorney will ensure that your rights are not diminished simply because you exercised your legal right to ride without one.
Lane Filtering vs. Lane Splitting
One of the biggest changes to Colorado motorcycle law came in 2024, when the state legalized lane filtering under specific conditions. It’s important to distinguish this from lane splitting, which remains illegal.
- Lane Filtering: This is when a motorcyclist carefully moves between stopped vehicles at an intersection or in heavy, stopped traffic. Colorado law allows lane filtering when traffic is fully stopped, the motorcycle does not exceed 15 MPH, and the maneuver is performed on the left side of stopped cars.
- Lane Splitting: This is when a motorcycle weaves between moving lanes of traffic. Lane splitting is prohibited in Colorado because it creates a high risk of collisions with vehicles that may change lanes unexpectedly.
Confusion between these two practices has contributed to crashes in Denver, especially as some drivers are unfamiliar with the new law. A knowledgeable Denver motorcycle accident attorney will be prepared to explain whether you were riding legally and how another driver’s actions caused your accident.
Other Key Motorcycle Laws in Denver
- Eye Protection: Riders must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windscreen.
- Passenger Rules: Passengers must have their own seat and footrests.
- License and Endorsement: All riders must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license, which involves passing a written and riding test.
Because these laws are evolving, having an experienced Denver motorcycle accident attorney on your side ensures that the specific legal context of your crash is considered when determining liability and pursuing compensation.
Claiming Compensation for Solo Motorcycle Accidents
Not every Denver motorcycle accident involves another vehicle. Sometimes, riders are injured in single-vehicle crashes caused by factors beyond their control. While these are often referred to as “solo accidents,” victims may still have options for recovering compensation with the help of a skilled Denver motorcycle accident attorney.
Government Liability for Dangerous Roads
Many solo accidents occur because of unsafe road conditions, such as:
- Potholes or uneven pavement
- Loose gravel or road debris
- Faded or missing lane markings
- Construction hazards left unmarked
If the City and County of Denver failed to maintain the road properly, you may be able to file a claim against the government. These claims require filing a notice within a very short timeframe (often just six months), so contacting an attorney immediately is critical.
Insurance Coverage in Solo Accidents
Even if no other party is directly involved, insurance may provide coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which is optional in Colorado, can step in to help cover your damages. For example, if you lost control because you swerved to avoid a negligent driver who fled the scene, UM coverage could apply.
Compensation You May Recover
Just like in multi-vehicle crashes, victims of solo accidents may pursue compensation for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to the motorcycle
Why Legal Help Matters in Solo Accidents
Insurance companies often try to argue that a solo motorcycle accident was entirely the rider’s fault. However, your Denver motorcycle accident attorney can investigate and show whether poor road conditions, defective equipment, or the actions of another driver (such as a hit-and-run) contributed to your crash. By identifying these factors, your lawyer ensures you aren’t unfairly blamed and that you recover the full compensation you deserve.
How Can Bell & Pollock Help After a Denver Motorcycle Accident?
After a serious Denver motorcycle accident, the road to recovery can feel overwhelming. Medical bills pile up quickly, lost income creates financial stress, and the emotional toll can be heavy. At Bell & Pollock, our dedicated Denver motorcycle accident attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you need to move forward. We don’t just file paperwork; we build cases designed to win, backed by decades of legal experience and a proven record of results.
The damages we pursue on your behalf can include:
- Medical Expenses (Immediate and Long-Term): Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that require surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term medical care. Our attorneys ensure that every expense, past, present, and future, is accounted for, so you’re not left paying for injuries someone else caused.
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: Many accident victims are unable to work for weeks, months, or even permanently. We calculate not only your lost wages but also the impact on your ability to earn in the future. This is particularly important in Denver motorcycle accident cases involving spinal injuries, brain trauma, or other permanent conditions.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation isn’t limited to bills and paychecks. We also fight for damages related to your physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. For motorcyclists, this may include being unable to ride again, participate in hobbies, or enjoy daily activities.
- Wrongful Death Claims: If you lost a loved one in a Denver motorcycle accident, we provide compassionate legal support while pursuing justice through a wrongful death claim. Families may be entitled to funeral costs, loss of financial support, and damages for the emotional impact of the loss.
Our firm’s results speak for themselves. While many of our published case results involve auto accidents rather than motorcycles, the legal strategies are directly applicable. In these cases, we have secured substantial verdicts and settlements for clients injured in motor vehicle crashes, victories that demonstrate our ability to take on large insurance companies and win. That same skill and determination drive our representation of injured motorcyclists in Denver.
Why Choose Us?
When you’re looking for a motorcycle accident attorney in Denver, you need a law firm that combines experience, compassion, and relentless advocacy. At Bell & Pollock, we set ourselves apart by offering more than just legal representation; we provide a partnership focused on protecting your rights and achieving results.
- Proven Track Record of Results:Our attorneys have consistently delivered strong outcomes for clients injured in motor vehicle crashes. While every case is unique, our history of verdicts and settlements demonstrates our ability to effectively fight back against insurance companies that try to undervalue claims. That success translates into real financial relief for motorcycle accident victims in Denver.
- Client-Centered Service: We know that every client’s story is different. That’s why we take the time to listen, answer questions, and explain every step of the legal process. When you hire Bell & Pollock, you are not treated like a file number. You are treated like family, with your case receiving the individual attention it deserves. Our accessibility, transparency, and responsiveness are part of what makes clients choose us as their Denver motorcycle accident attorneys.
- Depth of Legal Expertise: Motorcycle accident cases require a deep understanding of both Colorado traffic laws and the specific risks motorcyclists face on the road. Our team has the knowledge to handle issues like comparative negligence, helmet defense arguments, and disputes over lane filtering. We also know the Denver court system, the tendencies of local judges, and how to strategically position a case for trial if needed.
- Relentless Advocacy: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in motorcycle accident cases by shifting blame onto riders. We don’t let that happen. Our attorneys aggressively investigate crashes, work with accident reconstruction experts, and present compelling arguments designed to maximize compensation.
Choosing Bell & Pollock means choosing a team that combines legal skill, compassion for clients, and an unwavering commitment to justice. When you’ve been hurt in a Denver motorcycle accident, you deserve nothing less.
Additional Legal Services
At Bell & Pollock, we understand that accidents and injuries come in many forms. While we are proud to serve as trusted Denver motorcycle accident attorneys, our team also provides representation in a wide range of other personal injury matters. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligence, our firm is prepared to stand by your side and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys handle cases involving:
Each of these areas requires a detailed understanding of Colorado law and the unique circumstances that can affect your claim. No matter the type of case, our goal remains the same: to give you a strong voice against insurance companies and negligent parties and to help you move forward with confidence.
Contact Bell & Pollock After a Denver Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been injured in a Denver motorcycle accident, don’t wait. Time is critical for preserving evidence, meeting deadlines, and strengthening your claim, especially in Denver, where traffic crashes involve many moving parts.
Call Bell & Pollock today or connect with us online for a free consultation with a compassionate, knowledgeable Denver motorcycle accident attorney. Let us help you navigate your recovery and reclaim the compensation you deserve with the strength, experience, and heart that only a dedicated motorcycle accident attorney in Denver can provide.
