Boulder Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Boulder Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycles are popular in the Boulder area, and it is vital for every bicyclist to acknowledge the risks they face when they ride near motor vehicle traffic. Bicycle accidents can happen unexpectedly in various ways, and it is vital to prove fault for such an incident if you intend to recover compensation for your damages. A Boulder bicycle accident lawyer can be an invaluable resource if you or a family member recently experienced such an incident.

Helping Bicycle Accident Victims Recover in Boulder, CO

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard has years of professional experience representing clients in all types of personal injury cases in Boulder, including bike accident claims. Our firm excels at resolving complex civil cases with a strict focus on the client’s individual needs. There are no standard legal strategies that work for all cases, and we strive to help every client maximize their recovery.

You’re likely to have many important legal questions in the aftermath of your recent bicycle accident in Boulder, CO, and we can provide the guidance and support you need in this difficult time. You may have grounds to file an auto insurance claim and a personal injury claim, and you can rely on our firm for help with both of these recovery efforts. We can help you gather the evidence needed to prove fault and determine the most efficient path to maximum recovery.

While it is technically possible to file your own civil claim without hiring an attorney, this is risky for many reasons and unlikely to yield the results you hope to see. When you have experienced legal counsel on your side, they can handle your case proceedings while you focus on recovery from your injuries. Ultimately, you are more likely to win your case and maximize your final case award with a bike injury attorney CO representing you.

How to Prove Fault for Your Bicycle Accident in Boulder

Before you can recover any compensation for your damages after a bicycle accident, you must gather proof showing how your accident occurred and accurately identify the party or parties responsible for causing it. This is easier in some cases than others, and it is possible that you may require various forms of evidence to build your claim.

Traffic cameras near the scene of the crash may provide valuable proof of fault, and your attorney can also help you secure witness statements from anyone who saw the accident happen firsthand. Physical evidence from the scene of the crash may help, and you may also need various forms of digital evidence, such as the at-fault driver’s cell phone records and vehicle computer data.

Most bicycle accidents in Boulder are the results of negligence, or the failure to use reasonable care. Distracted driving, moving violations, and speeding are the most common ways for negligence to cause bicycle accidents. It is also possible for intoxicated driving or other illegal misconduct to cause serious accidents. In these cases, at-fault drivers face criminal charges, along with civil liability for their victims’ damages.

Recovering With an Auto Insurance Claim in Boulder

Colorado upholds the fault rule for resolving vehicle accidents, including bicycle crashes. Therefore, you must prove fault before you can recover any compensation for the damages that you suffered in your recent bicycle accident. Every driver in Colorado must have auto insurance that includes proper liability coverage, and filing a claim against an at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy is likely to be your first option for recovering from the accident.

Your bike injury attorney in CO can help you file your auto insurance claim, and you will need their help if you encounter any unexpected problems in your interactions with an insurance carrier. Once you receive your settlement offer, your attorney can verify that it is fair and reasonable under the terms of the at-fault driver’s policy. If you have outstanding damages, you will need an attorney’s help to file a personal injury claim.

Claimable Damages in Your Personal Injury Claim

The objective of a personal injury claim is to hold a defendant accountable for their negligence or illegal misconduct and to recover compensation for the damages resulting from that negligence or misconduct. When you have an experienced Boulder bicycle accident attorney on your side, you are more likely to succeed with this type of case and maximize the final case award you obtain.

Under Colorado’s personal injury statutes, the plaintiff has the right to seek full repayment of all immediate and future economic losses that they sustained because of the defendant’s actions. These are likely to include:

• Property damage. This may include the cost of repairing or replacing your bike as well as any other property that was damaged or destroyed in the accident.
• Medical treatment costs. Many bicycle accidents result in severe injuries. The defendant who injured you is liable for all the medical care you will need to recover, including future rehabilitative treatments for severe injuries.
• Lost wages. You may be unable to work following your bicycle accident. If so, you have the right to claim compensation for the income that you were unable to earn during this time.
• Lost earning power. If your accident has left you unable to return to work, or if you are only capable of handling lower-paying work due to the severity of your injuries, the defendant is liable for your diminished earning capacity. Your Boulder bicycle accident lawyer can help you calculate the future income that you otherwise would have been able to earn and add this to your claim.

In addition to your economic damages, you also have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Colorado law limits how much a plaintiff can receive for noneconomic damages, even if they suffered permanent harm. Your bike injury lawyer in CO can maximize this aspect of your recovery by helping you prove the full scope of your injuries’ long-term effects.

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard can help you maximize your case award in an efficient manner. We generally seek to settle our clients’ cases privately outside of court whenever possible, but we are fully prepared to litigate on your behalf if necessary for any reason. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery following a bicycle accident, so it is crucial that you connect with a Boulder bicycle accident lawyer that you can trust as soon as possible.

FAQs About Boulder, CO Bicycle Accident Laws

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Bicycle Accident?

A: If you can prove that another party directly caused your recent bicycle accident in Boulder, you have the right to seek full repayment of any economic losses that you suffered from their actions. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation up to the limit enforced by state law. Your Boulder bicycle accident lawyer can provide an estimate of your case’s total potential value.

Q: What Happens If I’m Partially at Fault for My Bicycle Accident?

A: Colorado enforces a modified comparative fault rule, which applies whenever more than one party shares fault for damages cited in a civil claim. If a plaintiff in a personal injury claim is found partially liable for their damages, they will lose a percentage of their final case award to reflect this. However, their fault must be less than 50%. If they are 50% or more at fault, they cannot claim compensation from any other liable party.

Q: Does a Bicyclist Always Have the Right-of-Way in Boulder?

A: Bicyclists have many of the same rights and the same responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers in Colorado. This means that, in some situations, they will have the right-of-way, whereas, in other situations, they must yield the right-of-way. For example, a bicyclist has the right-of-way within a bike lane, and they must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians if they are legally riding on a sidewalk.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Colorado?

A: If you intend to file a personal injury claim against another party in Boulder, you must do so within the statute of limitations. For most personal injury claims in Colorado, this time limit is two years from the date when an injury occurred. If you do not file your claim within this timeframe, you lose your chance to recover compensation from the defendant who injured you.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Boulder Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

A: The team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard can provide the legal representation you need for your bicycle accident claim on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will only pay a percentage of your final case award as our fee, and you pay nothing if we are unable to secure compensation on your behalf. This billing policy makes legal counsel available to those who need it most, regardless of their financial situation.

Contact Cheney Galluzzi & Howard

An experienced bike injury attorney in CO is an invaluable asset if you intend to pursue accountability and compensation for your damages after another party has caused a bicycle accident. The team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard is ready to provide the compassionate legal counsel you need in this situation. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Boulder bicycle accident lawyer you can trust with your case.