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Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If a bicycle accident in Colorado left you dealing with injuries, lost wages, or worse, you don’t have to sort through it alone. A local lawyer from TopDog Law’s network will review your case, break down your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (888) 778-1197 today, and TopDog Law’s network of Colorado attorneys will connect you with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer who knows how to handle bicycle accident claims in your area.

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Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer Practice Area

Bicycles belong on Colorado roads just as much as cars do. But when things go wrong, it’s rarely the person on two wheels who walks away unscathed. The stakes are higher when there’s no metal frame or airbags to cushion the blow.

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Colorado

Right-Hook Collisions: A motorist speeds past a cyclist, only to make a sudden right turn directly across the bike’s path. There’s barely time to brake before the inevitable impact. This happens frequently at intersections when drivers misjudge how fast a cyclist is moving.
Left-Cross Collisions: A driver turning left at an intersection fails to yield and drives straight into an oncoming cyclist. These accidents typically happen when a motorist overlooks or underestimates the cyclist’s speed.
Dooring Accidents: A driver or passenger swings open their car door into a cyclist’s lane without checking first. This leaves the rider little chance to swerve or stop before they’re catapulted over the handlebars.
Rear-End Crashes: Distracted drivers trailing too close behind a cyclist slam into them from behind. Rear-end crashes can throw cyclists into traffic or cause serious spinal injuries on impact.
Sideswipes: A minimum of three feet is required when overtaking a bicycle. Yet, plenty of drivers ignore this rule, and the result is often a glancing blow that knocks cyclists off balance.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

A thin layer of Lycra and a helmet don’t do much when 4,000 pounds of steel blindsides you. Injuries from bicycle accidents tend to be severe because cyclists are exposed, unprotected, and more vulnerable to secondary impacts.

Here are the most common injuries that riders suffer in Colorado:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, a hard blow to the head can cause concussions, cognitive impairment, and in severe cases, permanent brain damage.
Fractures and Broken Bones: Collarbone fractures lead the pack, but broken wrists, arms, ribs, and hips are common. Cyclists instinctively put out their hands to break a fall, which often leads to wrist and arm injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries: A bad fall or collision can compress or sever the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage: The blunt force from a vehicle impact or a hard fall onto an object can injure internal organs. These injuries are particularly dangerous because they aren’t always obvious right away.
Road Rash and Deep Lacerations: When skin meets asphalt at high speed, the result is raw, painful wounds that often require skin grafts and leave lasting scars.

Practice Areas

Colorado Bicycle Laws You Should Know

Colorado law treats bicycles as vehicles. That sounds good on paper, but it also means cyclists have to follow many of the same rules as cars. Knowing these laws is key for anyone riding—or filing a claim—in Colorado.

C.R.S. § 42-4-1412: This law states that cyclists have all the rights and duties applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. It’s the bedrock statute that reinforces a cyclist’s right to the road.
Three-Foot Passing Rule (C.R.S. § 42-4-1003): Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. Violations of this law often come up in claims involving sideswipes and close-call crashes.
The Colorado Safety Stop (C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.5): Passed in 2022, this law allows cyclists aged 15 and up to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs when it’s safe to do so. It aims to improve traffic flow and safety but can also be a sticking point in accident liability cases.
Sidewalk Riding Restrictions (Varies by Municipality): While C.R.S. § 42-4-1412 allows cyclists to ride on sidewalks unless prohibited by local laws, many Colorado cities, including Denver, ban adult riders from sidewalks in certain areas.
Helmet Laws: Surprisingly, Colorado doesn’t require cyclists over the age of 18 to wear helmets. That said, not wearing one will affect a personal injury case, as defense attorneys may argue comparative negligence under C.R.S. § 13-21-111.
Modified comparative negligence means that if a cyclist is found to be 50% or more at fault, they lose their right to recover damages. Below that threshold, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. So, if a cyclist is 20% responsible for the crash, their award is reduced by 20%.

How Much Is My Colorado Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

Colorado law gives accident victims the right to pursue compensation, and it doesn’t just cover what’s easy to add up.

Economic Damages

They’re usually the easiest to calculate because they have receipts, invoices, and statements backing them up.

Medical Expenses: From the ambulance ride to surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments, these numbers escalate fast. If an accident left you with a traumatic brain injury or broken bones, these costs increase even more with rehabilitation and ongoing treatment. Colorado personal injury law allows victims to recover for past and future medical expenses.
Lost Wages: If injuries kept you from returning to work, you can claim lost income. This includes wages you missed during recovery and, if you can’t return to your old job, potential future earnings. Lawyers will often work with vocational experts to assess whether injuries prevent you from resuming your profession, and if so, calculate the difference in lifetime earnings.
Property Damage: Your bike isn’t cheap. If your carbon-fiber frame is now scrap metal, property damage claims cover repairs or replacement, plus gear that got wrecked in the crash—helmets, clothing, phone mounts, you name it.

Non-Economic Damages

Some losses don’t fit neatly into a dollar figure. Colorado law calls these non-economic damages, and they recognize how an injury affects your life, relationships, and mental health.

Pain and Suffering: Physical pain matters. Chronic headaches from a concussion or nerve damage from a spinal injury stays with you long after the bruises fade. Colorado caps these damages under C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5, with a standard cap of $642,180 (adjusted for inflation), unless there’s clear and convincing evidence to increase it.
Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common after serious accidents. Cycling might have been your daily escape; now it triggers panic attacks. The law acknowledges these very real struggles.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If injuries stop you from doing things you once loved—whether that’s biking, skiing, or playing with your kids—you can seek compensation for that loss. It’s the stuff that makes life worth living, and Colorado juries take it seriously.

Punitive Damages

Colorado doesn’t hand out punitive damages lightly. These exist to punish the wrongdoer, not to compensate the victim. Under C.R.S. § 13-21-102, punitive damages are available if the driver acted with fraud, malice, or willful and wanton conduct.

Picture a driver who was texting and speeding through a school zone when they plowed into a cyclist. Or a drunk driver who had three prior DUIs. Those cases may justify punitive damages.

Where Do Bicycle Accidents Occur in Colorado?

Urban Hotspots

Denver leads the state in bicycle accidents. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), cyclists are involved in about 2% of all traffic crashes in the city, totaling over 265 collisions each year. Most of these crashes happen during rush hour—between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.—when drivers are impatient and roads are clogged. Intersections along Colfax Avenue, Federal Boulevard, and Broadway are some of the most dangerous spots, with frequent right-hook and left-cross collisions reported.

Suburban Concerns

Lakewood promotes itself as bike-friendly, but the crash data tells another story. In 2022, the city recorded 38 bicycle accidents, most clustered around Kipling Street, 6th Avenue, and Wadsworth Boulevard. Notably, none of the cyclists involved were wearing helmets at the time of their crashes. Many accidents in Lakewood happen on wide, fast-moving roads where drivers aren’t expecting cyclists—especially during late afternoons and early evenings.

High-Risk Zones

Boulder is famous for cycling, but its intersections are notoriously risky. The city’s Vision Zero Action Plan identified several intersections with a high volume of bike crashes, including Folsom Street and Canyon Boulevard, and 30th Street and Arapahoe Avenue. These areas see frequent collisions due to high traffic volume, multiple lanes, and inconsistent yielding by drivers.

Fighting the Insurance Company

Insurance companies don’t stay profitable by handing out fair settlements. After a bicycle accident, they move fast—but not to help you. They aim to protect their bottom line. That means their first offer usually falls laughably short of covering your losses.

Here’s how they work:

Blame-Shifting: Adjusters look for ways to pin the fault on the cyclist. Maybe they argue you weren’t wearing a helmet or didn’t use hand signals, even if those factors had nothing to do with the crash.
Downplaying Injuries: They’ll question the severity of your injuries. If your medical records leave the slightest gap, they exploit it. They may argue you’re exaggerating pain or that your injuries are pre-existing.
Quick, Lowball Offers: They rush to offer a fast settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you accept, you waive your right to pursue more money—even if new complications arise.

A local lawyer from TopDog Law’s network pushes back. They gather evidence, consult medical experts, and challenge insurance tactics. By building a rock-solid case, they force insurers to take your claim seriously—whether across the negotiating table or in court.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Colorado

If a bicycle accident left you injured, what you do next matters. Not for the sake of paperwork—but for your case. Even if you’ve already seen a doctor, there’s still ground to cover.

Follow Your Treatment Plan: Skipping appointments or ignoring medical advice gives insurance companies ammunition to claim you’re not seriously hurt.
Save Every Receipt: Medical bills, prescriptions, therapy costs, bike repairs—track every expense tied to your accident.
Document Your Recovery: Keep a journal. Write down your pain levels, limitations, and how your injuries affect daily life. These personal details help show the full impact of the crash.
Get the Police Report: This report often clarifies fault and becomes a key piece of evidence. Request a copy as soon as it’s available.
Stay Quiet on Social Media: Insurers watch for posts that contradict your injury claims. Even a photo of you smiling at a family BBQ can be twisted to downplay your suffering.
Bring It All to Your Lawyer: The more information you provide, the stronger your case. A local attorney in TopDog Law’s network uses these details to build evidence and demand fair compensation.

Get Back on the Road—With the Compensation You Deserve

You didn’t ask for this wreck, and you sure didn’t plan on fighting an insurance company while dealing with injuries. But here you are. The good news is you don’t have to do it solo.

Call (888) 778-1197 today. Get matched with a lawyer who knows Colorado law and will fight for every dollar you’re owed.

Or Call (888) 778-1197

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Colorado Office

66 S Logan St Suite B

Denver CO 80209

What’s Your Case Worth? 844-576-2116

What’s Your Case Worth? 844-576-2116

Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Get Your Free Case Review Today

If You Want Help... Call Us

If You Want Help... Call Us

As Seen On

Your Guide to Colorado Bicycle Accident

Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer Practice Area

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Colorado

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Practice Areas

Colorado Bicycle Laws You Should Know

How Much Is My Colorado Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

Economic Damages

Non-Economic Damages

Punitive Damages

Where Do Bicycle Accidents Occur in Colorado?

Urban Hotspots

Suburban Concerns

High-Risk Zones

Fighting the Insurance Company

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Colorado

Get Back on the Road—With the Compensation You Deserve

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Colorado Office

WHY CHOOSE TOPDOG LAW?

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