Englewood Bicycle Accident Lawyer

A cycling accident can cause traumatic and catastrophic injuries. While bicyclists are generally entitled to use the roadway just as other motorists, some drivers fail to recognize these rights. As a result, innocent victims could suffer significant injury due to the negligence of another.

If you have been harmed in a cycling crash caused by a careless driver, an Englewood bicycle accident lawyer could help you protect your rights and pursue financial recovery. A hardworking injury attorney can help determine who is at fault for your injuries and what damages you may be entitled to receive.

What are the Essential Laws for Englewood Cyclists?

While bicyclists are entitled to the use of Englewood roadways, state law also outlines specific obligations for cyclists riding alongside other motor vehicles. Cyclists may not obstruct the regular flow or traffic and must keep as near to the right side of the road as they can when operating at speeds below the posted limit. When a cyclist is on a one-way road, they should remain as close to the left side as is possible.

While bicyclists are not legally required to wear a helmet, wearing one is recommended, as a helmet is one of the few protective barriers a cyclist has in a roadway collision. It is permissible for two riders to operate their bikes alongside another. However, this must not interrupt the general movement of traffic per C.R.S. § 42-4-1412(6).

Before making a turn, bicyclists are required to use hand signals for a minimum of 100 feet. A cyclist should use the hand signals required by state law. For instance, before making a right turn, a cyclist must stretch their right arm outward or raise their left arm up.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Bike Accident Claims?

Under Englewood Revised Statutes Annotated § 13-80-101, bicyclists have a restricted period after a collision to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The deadline for bicycle crash claims in Englewood is three years from the accident date. Generally speaking, if a claim is not filed within three years of the wreck, the injured cyclist would forfeit any compensation owed to them. Therefore, it is vital that a cyclist seriously injured in a roadway crash contact an Englewood lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can discuss what damages may be available and help the injured cyclist file a prompt claim.

Proving Liability in a Bicycle Collision

To collect monetary damages from the at-fault driver, the bicyclist’s claim must meet specific criteria. First, the driver must have owed the cyclist a duty of care. Drivers have an obligation to others on the roadway to drive with reasonable care.

Second, the driver must have breached this duty of care in some way by failing to act as a reasonable driver would have. For instance, if the motorist was speeding or changed lanes improperly, this could be considered a breach of their duty of care.

Third, the driver’s breach must have been the direct cause of the bicyclist’s injuries. In other words, if the driver violated their legal duty of care, but this violation was not the reason that the cyclist was injured, they would not be liable for damages.

Fourth and finally, the cyclist’s injuries must have resulted in actual damages that entitle them to seek compensation. An accident attorney in Englewood could help an injured cyclist determine liability for their injuries and pursue any damages owed to them by the responsible party.

Types of Monetary Damages

Recoverable damages in a bicycle crash can include both someone’s economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses include things like lost wages and medical bills, while non-economic losses are intangible costs incurred from the accident. Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma are examples of non-economic damages. If the at-fault driver’s actions are deemed to be particularly reckless or wanton by the presiding judge, the injured cyclist could also be awarded punitive damages.

An Englewood Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

If a negligent driver injured you in cycling accident, you could be entitled to compensation. An Englewood bicycle accident lawyer can help you seek all damages owed for your injuries. To get more information about starting a claim, call an Englewood accident attorney today.