Northglenn, CO Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Serving those injured in bicycle accidents

Northglenn

Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Northglenn, CO

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 Northglenn, CO, are here to help, boasting decades of experience handling personal injury cases. We have skilled bicycle accident attorneys in Northglenn, CO, ready to help 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 Northglenn 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 Northglenn

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 Northglenn, 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, Northglenn 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 Northglenn 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 Northglenn, CO.

Speak to your bike accident attorney in Northglenn, 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

Am I supposed to ride with traffic or face traffic?

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.

A car nearly side-swiped me as I was riding yesterday. How far from a bicyclist is a car legally required to be as it passes?

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.

I want to drive at night, but I’m nervous about not being seen. What are the legal requirements for lights and reflectors?

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.

A man walked into my bike as I was going through an intersection. Who has the right of way at crosswalks and intersections, a cyclist or a pedestrian?

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 Northglenn, CO

Don’t hesitate to contact our expert bicycle accident attorneys in Northglenn, CO. We will advocate for your rights and hold the driver responsible for their actions. You can trust our team, led by Dr. Joseph Ramos, physician and attorney, to recover damages on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.