15 June

Bicycle Accident Lawyer

in Bicycle Accident, Bicycle Accident Lawyer, Insurance Claim

Bicycling Accidents in Colorado

Cycling is a common pastime in Colorado. It is a great way to stay fit while enjoying our beautiful natural scenery. Unfortunately, bicycling accidents are on the rise in Colorado. The number of cycling fatalities has significantly increased since 2002, and even the most experienced cyclists are at risk of injury when sharing the road with vehicles. Former Olympic cyclist Dale Stetina, for example, was critically injured in 2013 when trying to avoid a car in Boulder. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be wondering what to do next. Contacting a bicycle accident lawyer should be at the top of the list, but your safety is the highest priority.

Before Consulting With a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Get to Safety

If possible, move to a safe location out of oncoming traffic. If you are severely injured and have lost consciousness or cannot move, you will need to await medical assistance and pursue legal action once you are well. The police will document any pertinent information at the scene of the accident and assist you in filing a report later on.

In the event that you are able to move and communicate, get to a safe spot and continue with the following steps to help facilitate your legal claim.

Call 911

Call 911 as soon as possible. Inform the dispatcher that you were hit by a moving vehicle while riding your bike. Tell him or her your location, whether or not you are hurt, and if the car that hit you is present or if they fled the scene.

If the at-fault vehicle is still there, get their insurance and vehicle information. Ask for and document the following:

Name and phone number
Insurance company and policy number
Driver’s license
Model, make, and year of their vehicle
License plate number
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Avoid Communicating with the At-Fault Driver

If possible, avoid direct communication with the driver who hit you. They may be sincerely apologetic, which can provoke a response from you that may later be used by an attorney to lower your settlement amount. Phrases like, “I’m all right” or “I wasn’t being careful” can ultimately be used against you. These qualify as “admissions against interest” and are used by lawyers and insurance companies to trivialize what happened to you.

Look for Witnesses

If anyone witnessed the accident, be sure to point them out to the police. You can ask them to write a brief statement on your behalf or, if they are willing, to share contact details with you to communicate at a later date.

Document Everything

As soon as you can, write down your own recollection of events, including any admissions of guilt by the at-fault party. It is best to do this while the incident is still fresh. However, if you are not able to do this for some time, you can refer to the police report and witness statements to help you.

When to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Once you have been treated for any injuries and contacted your insurance company, it is time to talk to an experienced bicycle accident lawyer.

In Denver, Colorado, you have up to two years to file suit against the person who hit you. However, you will want to begin the process as soon as possible to avoid delays and while details are still fresh. While you can certainly file a claim on your own, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the claims process. She or he will perform all communications and negotiate on your behalf. This will ensure you get the highest settlement possible as quickly as possible.