Glenwood Springs Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Why Choose Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers?

Not all law firms are equipped to take on the large insurance companies and the attorneys representing at-fault parties who cause motorcycle accidents. You need a committed and experienced attorney who is ready to seek the best possible outcome for you from day one. Our firm brings the following and more to the table:

• Over 40 years of experience: We have handled all aspects of motorcycle accident claims, including through both litigation and settlement. We know the complex legal issues involved as well as the tactics insurance companies use to deprive victims of the fair compensation they deserve.
• Knowing the value of your claim: It’s important to claim the full amount of all of your damages, including those you are likely to incur in the future. Our firm understands how to value your losses and then fight for the compensation to cover them.
• Handling your case each step of the way: Your case deserves the full attention of a dedicated attorney. We take care of the legal process including the initial investigation, filing pleadings and motions, conducting discovery, and either settling or taking your case to trial.
• Understanding the unique challenges motorcycle victims face: Motorcycle victims often face discrimination from insurance companies and bias from jurors. We work hard to counter false assumptions and defend your right to full and fair monetary damages.
• A record of proven results: We work hard to secure substantial compensation for our clients, and our results prove it. Although we can never guarantee results, we will always advocate for the damages our clients need.
• Testimonials from satisfied clients: Don’t take our word for it; find out from the clients themselves why they trust Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers to handle their injury claims.
• No upfront fees, and pay nothing unless you win: Our firm handles motorcycle accident claims on a contingency basis. That means there are no upfront costs and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover for you.
• Free consultation: You may be unsure as to whether you really need an attorney after a motorcycle accident. So we offer victims a free case evaluation that helps them to better understand their legal rights and options.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Glenwood Springs?

Motorcycle accident victims have the burden of proving the elements of a personal injury claim if they want to win compensation for their injuries. It therefore helps to understand some of the most common causes of these wrecks, including:

• Speeding: The faster a vehicle goes, the more likely it is to lose control and the less likely it is to avoid colliding with a motorcycle.
• Distracted driving: For example, sending text messages while driving takes the driver’s focus away from the road.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: This includes anything that impairs one’s ability to safely drive, including prescription medications.
• Lane splitting: Although illegal in Colorado, riding between two lanes or lane splitting is still common and still dangerous.
• Inexperience and/or carelessness: Driving can include texting while driving and other careless decisions, while inexperience makes a driver more prone to poor judgments.
• Left-turn crashes: Drivers must make judgment calls when turning left at intersections, but motorcycles can be more difficult to spot among other oncoming vehicles.
• Unsafe lane changes: Drivers should check their blind spots and signal before turning, but they may not notice a much smaller motorcycle as opposed to larger vehicles.
• Sudden stops: Some drivers follow motorcycles too closely, and a sudden stop can cause not only a rear-end collision but an ejectment of the rider.
• Dangerous road conditions: Anything from large potholes and debris can trigger an accident, as can sudden events like an animal running out into traffic.
• Car doors: Accidents can happen when a driver or passenger opens a car door directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
• Motorcycle defects: Not all dangers come from other drivers, and in fact many wrecks are due to problems with the design or manufacturing of a motorcycle part.

Intersection Risks for Riders and Their Passengers

Although any type of car accident is always possible at intersections, these areas present a unique threat to motorcycle riders and passengers. Here are a few specific dangers you may encounter:

• Left-turn accidents are more likely since oncoming motorcycles are harder to see
• Motorcycles can be hidden behind larger cars, so a driver pulling into the intersection may not notice them
• There is only a limited amount of time for a motorcyclist to react to danger since intersections are more vehicle-dense areas
• There are more road hazards that naturally collect in intersections, such as oil, broken glass, and worn pavement, all of which can imperil a motorcycle
• Rear-end collisions are more likely for motorcyclists stopped at intersection red lights.

Glenwood Springs Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycles lack the protective steel frames and safety features of passenger vehicles. When a rider or passenger gets into an accident, they can suffer serious injuries including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Chest and thoracic injuries such as broken ribs and collapsed lungs
• Broken bones
• Amputation
• Road rash
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injury
• Facial and dental injuries

Tragically, many motorcycle accident victims die from their injuries. In the event this occurs, eligible survivors can pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Glenwood Springs?

If you ride in Glenwood Springs, you need to know which roads are the most dangerous for motorcycles:

• Interstate 70 Through Glenwood Canyon
• Hanging Lake/Glenwood Canyon Corridor
• Colorado Highway 82

These particular areas are hazardous due to:

• Traffic: Dense congestion, sudden stops, abrupt lane changes, and commercial trucks that make riding dangerous.
• Road features: These include sharp curves and steep grades, which can be challenging even to experienced riders.
• Natural features: For instance, narrow canyon lanes and rockfall risks in Glenwood Canyon and wildlife crossings.
• Weather: Sudden changes in the weather can take motorcyclists off guard.
• Tourist traffic: Some areas experience heavy tourist traffic, with distracted pedestrians posing a risk for riders.

There are other dangerous roads throughout Colorado. So before you ride anywhere in the state, look into them so you know what to expect.

Who Is Liable in a Colorado Motorcycle Accident?

One of the most important duties of a motorcycle accident lawyer is to identify the various parties who could potentially be held liable for a wreck. They include:

• Another driver
• Another driver’s employer
• Owners of another vehicle
• A vehicle or motorcycle manufacturer
• A mechanic or repair shop
• Government entities responsible for road work
• Bars that serve too much alcohol to a drunk driver
• The motorcyclist

Challenges in Motorcycle Accidents With Multiple Liable Parties

Many accidents are caused by more than one individual or entity. Although this may increase the amount of compensation, it also poses causation challenges. The victim must prove specifically how each at-fault party directly caused the accident. Additionally, more liable parties means more insurance companies to contend with. Your lawyer should be adept at handling such claims.

Colorado’s Laws Could Affect Your Motorcycle Case Outcome

Colorado has various laws pertaining to motorcyclists, all of which can affect their compensation claim in different ways:

• Helmet laws: Although adults aged 18 and older are generally not required to wear a helmet, the lack of one will probably aggravate injuries to the victim’s head, face, and eyes. The at-fault party can raise this point to try to reduce the damages they must pay.
• Lane splitting laws: Since lane splitting is illegal, a motorcyclist who does this and gets into an accident could be partially liable for the crash.
• Motorcycle licensing requirements: Colorado law requires an “M” or “3” endorsement on a rider’s driver’s license.
• DUI laws: Operating a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will affect your claim for monetary compensation. Separately, you will likely face criminal charges.
• Passenger laws: Unsafely or unlawfully carrying a passenger can contribute to an accident.

Comparative Negligence in Colorado

If a motorcycle victim is partially to blame for causing an accident, they can still potentially collect compensation. However, the amount will be lowered by their percentage of fault due to comparative negligence rules. Under Colorado’s comparative negligence rule, a rider could be up to 49% at fault and still successfully recover compensation.

How Much Is a Glenwood Springs Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

An accident case could be worth anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several million dollars, depending on:

• The nature of the victim’s injuries, including any permanent injuries
• The effects of the accident on the victim’s long-term health and career
• The amount of insurance coverage available
• Whether there are multiple liable parties
• Whether comparative negligence applies

There are generally three categories of damages that victims can claim:

• Economic damages: Among these are objectively calculable losses like medical bills, missed time from work, and reduced earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages: More subjective in nature, these include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive damages: In rare motorcycle accidents involving malice or willful and wanton conduct, the victim can ask for punitive damages.

Insurance Issues Affecting Motorcycle Claims in Glenwood Springs

Colorado requires motorcycle riders to carry liability insurance, known as 25/50/15 coverage, the numbers of which correspond to the state minimum coverage amounts:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 property damage per accident

All other vehicles registered in the state must carry at least this same coverage. If a motorcyclist is struck by someone without insurance or without enough insurance (less than the minimum required amounts), they may be able to use uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, or medical payments coverage.

What to Do After a Glenwood Springs Motorcycle Accident

The steps you take after being in a motorcycle accident could have repercussions for your subsequent injury claim. To protect your right to the compensation you deserve, we suggest that you do the following:

• Call 911: Report the accident and ask for police and medical assistance. A law enforcement officer will come to the scene and generate an accident report that includes valuable details about the wreck.
• Get medical attention: If you don’t take an ambulance, at least see your doctor as soon as possible. Do this even if you don’t think you sustained injuries. Otherwise, you could worsen your condition and allow the at-fault party to blame you for doing so.
• Limit what you say: Don’t apologize or admit fault for the accident, even if you think you did something wrong. You may not have the full story right away.
• Document the accident scene: Take pictures and record videos of the accident scene and of your injuries. Get the names and contact information of eyewitnesses. Make personal notes about the events surrounding the accident.
• Contact your insurance: Notify your insurance carrier of the accident and follow their procedures for filing a claim. Again, do not speculate about fault or the extent of your injuries (avoid saying, for instance, “I’m fine”).
• Contact a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident injury lawyer: Let your attorney assist with all aspects of your accident claim. Your lawyer can also deal with the insurance companies, including your own, if they are reluctant to fairly compensate you. We assist injured motorcycle passengers as well.