Wheat Ridge, CO Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Serving those injured in bicycle accidents
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(720) 580-8333Address: 4765 Independence St Suite A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.
Wheat Ridge Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bicycling is the primary mode of transportation for many people. Unfortunately, the rate of cyclists getting hit on public roadways is consistently increasing. Bicyclists are disadvantaged in rural and urban areas, with minimal bike paths on roadways. Like pedestrians, bicyclists are vulnerable to the dangers of the road.
Our bicycle accident attorneys in Wheat Ridge, CO, are here to help, boasting decades of experience handling personal injury cases. We have skilled bicycle accident attorneys in Wheat Ridge, CO, ready to fight for you. Equally important, Dr. Joseph Ramos is an emergency medicine physician and an attorney with years of experience guiding treatment.
Don’t let your rights go unprotected. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Wheat Ridge and want the skill of lawyers and doctors guiding your case, contact us or complete this form for a no-cost evaluation of your situation.
National Bicycling Accident Statistics
The number of people bicycling instead of driving their cars is increasing in the U.S. and Colorado. However, the national statistics for bike/car collision-related fatalities and injuries are grim.
As state and local regulations continue to enforce bicycling safety laws to improve the roads for cars and cyclists alike, more people will ride for recreation or commuting. However, as the number of cyclists on roadways increases, state and local authorities must work harder to give cyclists a fair and safe share of the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- There was a 10.87 percent increase in the number of bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes from 846 in 2019 to 938 in 2020.[1]
- The number of bicyclists injured remained consistently high over recent years, with 49,000 in 2019.
- Bicyclist deaths are highest during the summer months between June and September.[2]
- Additionally, nearly 75 percent of all bicycle accident deaths occur in urban areas.
- Further, failing to yield to the right of way is the most common cause of death, closely followed by bicyclist visibility.
Colorado Bicycle Accident Statistics
The statistics for Colorado cycling accident fatalities have followed the national trend. Whereas the state has been declining in cycling fatalities since the 1970s, between 2014 and 2016, fatality rates increased from 10 deaths to 16.[3]
As state and local regulations create bicycling safety laws, improving the road for cars and cyclists alike, more people will ride for recreation or commuting. However, although Colorado ranks high for the number of cyclists on the road, far more needs to be done to give cyclists a fair and safe share of the street.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Wheat Ridge, CO
There are many dangers on the road, but none are as potentially deadly as a moving car. If you were involved in a bicycle/auto accident in Wheat Ridge, there probably wasn’t much you could do to prevent it. However, it would be best if you did a few things immediately after the accident to help protect yourself going forward.
Report the accident to local law enforcement.
When you file a report, Wheat Ridge law enforcement officials begin their investigation and make sure all parties provide the necessary information, including insurance coverage. The traffic accident report may be a significant factor in recovering damages for your injuries and losses.
Seek medical attention for your injuries.
If you don’t receive treatment at the time of the accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible afterward. You may not feel pain until later due to the adrenaline rush accompanying collisions. Let a physician assess your condition and capture photos of injuries and equipment damage. The images and medical records may also help your case if you seek damages.
File an additional report after you've had medical attention.
You can file an additional report with the Wheat Ridge police if you receive medical attention from emergency room staff for your injuries. The addition to the traffic accident report should detail everything from your point of view. This addition becomes part of the official accident report.
Speak to your bike accident attorney in Wheat Ridge, CO.
Speak to your bike accident attorney in Wheat Ridge, CO, as soon as possible after the accident. Your attorney will fight for you while you focus on recovering from your injuries and returning to the life you love.
Know the Colorado Bike Laws
How Bicyclists Can Avoid Collisions on the Road
Although bicycle laws differ from state to state, all bicyclists must follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists while on the road. There are some steps you can take to ensure your safety as a bicyclist:
- Ride a bike that fits you and performs well
- Ride with the flow in the same direction as the traffic
- Plan your route to avoid as much traffic as possible in areas where speed limits are slower, or choose a designated bike path
- Wear protective equipment, such as a helmet, bright clothing during the day, reflective gear at night, and have a white front light, red rear light, and reflectors
- Obey street signs, traffic signals, and road markings just as you would in a car
- Stay focused and alert to your surroundings
- Ride defensively, anticipating motorists’ actions
Colorado Bicycle Accident Frequently Asked Questions
As stated in Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1412, you are to follow the same rules of the road when riding a bicycle as you would when driving a car. You are to ride with traffic on the right-hand side of the roadway. You can use the other lanes when preparing for a left-hand turn, passing a slow vehicle, or navigating a road hazard.
CRS 42-4-1003 says that all drivers must allow a three-foot separation between the right side of the vehicle, including mirrors and projections, and the left side of the cyclist. To fail to do so is a Class A traffic infraction.
CRS 42-4-221 requires all bicyclists to have a white front lamp that can be seen by other vehicles from 500 feet away. You must also have red rear and side reflectors visible under car lights from 600 feet away. Wearing reflective clothing will also help you be seen in low/no light situations.
Pedestrians have the right of way when obeying traffic signals at crosswalks. If the traffic signal is not working, all vehicles, including bicycles, must give the pedestrian the right of way if they have already started across the road or are close enough to be in danger. However, CRS 42-4-802 also says that a pedestrian should not walk into the line of traffic close enough to cause immediate danger.
Contact Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Wheat Ridge, CO
Don’t hesitate to contact our expert bicycle accident attorneys in Wheat Ridge, CO. We will advocate for your rights and hold the driver responsible for their actions. You can trust our team of Wheat Ridge personal injury lawyers, led by Dr. Joseph Ramos, physician and attorney, to recover damages on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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