Highlands Ranch Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Highlands Ranch Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycling can be fun, offers great exercise, and is even a viable option for local transportation for many people in the Highlands Ranch area of Colorado. However, riding a bicycle alongside motor vehicle traffic is inherently dangerous in many ways, and whenever a bicycle accident happens, the rider is likely to suffer tremendous harm. A Highlands Ranch bicycle accident lawyer can help you recover if you have recently experienced such an accident.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Bike Injury Claims in Highlands Ranch, CO

The team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard has years of professional experience handling a wide range of complex personal injury cases in Highlands Ranch, including bicycle accident claims. We know how damaging and traumatic these incidents can be and the many legal questions you are likely to have in the aftermath of such an accident. Our goal for every client we represent is to help them recover as much compensation for their damages as possible.

When you choose our team to represent your bike injury claim, we can immediately get to work gathering the evidence you need to firmly establish liability for your damages. State law requires that you prove fault for your damages before you can seek any compensation from an at-fault driver, and we know how to gather the evidence needed to support your claim. Once fault is proven, you can rely on us to guide you through the proceedings to follow.

You may be entitled to more compensation than you initially expected, and you will have a much easier time navigating your case when you have experienced and trustworthy legal counsel on your side. Your bike injury attorney in Highlands Ranch, CO can provide ongoing support through each step of your recovery efforts, and you are more likely to maximize your total compensation with an attorney’s assistance.

Proving Liability for Your Bike Accident in Highlands Ranch

The first legal challenge you will face in your efforts to recover from a bicycle accident is proving the exact cause of the accident and identifying the party or parties responsible. Most of the bicycle accidents reported in the Highlands Ranch area happen because of negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations. Failure to yield the right-of-way, illegal turns, and running stop signs or red lights are extremely dangerous to nearby bicyclists.

Proving negligence requires establishing that the at-fault party held a duty of care that they failed to fulfill or directly breached with their actions. For example, a driver has a duty of care to drive attentively, and any form of distracted driving is a clear breach of this duty of care. Alternatively, you may need to prove that your accident happened because of illegal misconduct. Driving under the influence (DUI) is the most common form of illegal activity responsible for bike accidents.

Your bike injury attorney in CO can help gather all the evidence you need to establish fault for your accident. This evidence could include physical evidence from the scene of the crash, digital records like cell phone data and traffic camera recordings, statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen, and vehicle computer data. After establishing fault, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your losses.

Recovering Compensation for a Bicycle Accident in Highlands Ranch

If a motor vehicle driver caused your recent bicycle accident, an auto insurance claim is likely to be your first avenue of recovery. Every driver in the state must have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements, and you can file a claim against an at-fault driver’s policy once you prove they are liable for your accident. However, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, and there is no guarantee that insurance alone will fully cover your losses.

Your Highlands Ranch bicycle accident lawyer can help navigate the insurance claim filing process and recover as much compensation as possible from the at-fault driver’s policy. If you encounter any issues in your interactions with the insurance company or they unfairly deny your claim, your attorney can resolve any such problems for you. If insurance cannot fully cover your losses, you will need to file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.

Under Colorado’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff has the right to seek various forms of compensation, including:

• Property damage not covered by the defendant’s insurance, such as the cost of repairing or replacing a bicycle and other personal belongings lost in the accident.
• Medical expenses. Many victims of bicycle accidents suffer severe injuries that often require extensive medical care. The defendant who injured you is fully liable for all medical treatment costs you incur from the accident, including future rehabilitative care costs.
• Lost wages. If you are unable to work and earn income following your bicycle accident, the defendant who caused the accident is liable for the income you are unable to earn during this time. This also applies to lost future earning capacity if you were left permanently disabled by the injuries you suffered.
• Pain and suffering. State law limits how much a plaintiff can seek in pain and suffering compensation, even if they suffered permanent harm. Your Highlands Ranch bicycle accident lawyer can help determine a suitable figure to reflect the physical pain and psychological distress you suffered from your accident.

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard can work closely with you throughout your efforts to recover from your bicycle accident. When another party is clearly responsible for your damages, the path to recovery may be more complex than you initially expected, but the right attorney on your side enables you to approach your case with peace of mind. You have a limited time in which to seek compensation after your accident, so it’s vital to connect with a legal team as soon as possible.

Our goal in your bicycle accident case will be to help you recover as much compensation as possible in the shortest possible timeframe. You face a time limit for an auto insurance claim as well as a statute of limitations for filing your personal injury suit. The sooner you begin your recovery efforts, the more likely you will be to maximize your total compensation.

FAQs About Highlands Ranch, CO Bicycle Accident Laws

Q: Has a Bicyclist Ever Been at Fault for an Accident in Highlands Ranch?

A: It is possible for a bicyclist to bear fault for an accident or share fault with another party. Colorado law upholds that bicyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, so this means that a bicyclist could bear fault for their recent accident. The state upholds a modified comparative fault rule that applies to any civil claim for damages in which more than one party shares fault for the damages cited in the case.

Q: What Happens if I’m Partially at Fault for My Personal Injury?

A: If a plaintiff in any civil claim is found partially at fault for their damages, they can still claim compensation from the other liable party as long as they are less than 50% at fault. Their fault percentage is taken from their case award as a penalty, and they keep the remainder. If the plaintiff is found 50% or more at fault, they cannot claim compensation from another party and will be personally responsible for their damages.

Q: What Are the Most Common Injuries From Bicycle Accidents in Highlands Ranch?

A: Bicycle accidents commonly cause many severe injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain damage, and internal organ injuries, and it is common for injured riders to suffer many small cuts, scrapes, and bruises along with more serious injuries. The party responsible for causing the accident will face liability for all medical expenses the victim incurs for the treatment of their injuries, including anticipated future medical treatment costs for severe injuries.

Q: Will the At-Fault Driver Go to Jail for Causing a Bicycle Accident?

A: It is possible for the driver responsible for causing a bicycle accident to face criminal charges if an investigation reveals that they broke the law in causing the accident. Reckless driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are the most common ways for this to apply to a civil claim for damages. Your Highlands Ranch bicycle accident lawyer can explain any implications a criminal case against the defendant could have on your recovery.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Bike Injury Attorney in CO?

A: The attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard offer legal counsel in personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. If you have a contingency fee agreement with an attorney, they will only take a fee if and when they win your case. Additionally, their fee is a percentage of the total case award they secure for you, so there is no risk of paying more for legal counsel than you win in compensation for your damages, and you only owe a fee if you win.

Bike Injury Attorney CO

The attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard have the professional experience and resources you want on your side in the aftermath of a bicycle accident someone else caused. Our team is ready to assist you with every step of your recovery, from proving fault to filing an auto insurance claim and then building a personal injury suit to maximize your recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Highlands Ranch bicycle accident lawyer you can trust.