Loveland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Why Choose Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers

It goes without saying that motorcycle accidents often result in significant injuries when compared to other types of accidents, such as car accidents or even minor truck accidents. Furthermore, Colorado has a range of laws that apply specifically to motorcycle riders and accidents involving motorcycles. Because of these reasons, and many others, it’s important to work with a motorcycle accident injury lawyer who is knowledgeable of these laws and has the skills and resources needed to successfully negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, especially in cases when insurers try to unfairly leverage these laws against riders.

For over 40 years, Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has built a reputation as the go-to law firm when it comes to motorcycle accident cases, especially those with significant damages and complex scenarios, recovering millions on behalf of our hundreds of clients. Our Loveland motorcycle crash lawyers understand the many nuances that motorcycle accident victims frequently face, and we have the resources needed to help you recover the settlement you are rightfully owed.

Leading Causes of Loveland Motorcycle Accidents

Because Loveland is a high-population area with many busy intersections, the potential for riders to encounter dangerous scenarios is far from uncommon. Unfortunately, even when motorcyclists are taking every necessary safety precaution, it only takes one careless or reckless driver to put their life and the lives of others at risk. Here are a few of the most common causes of Loveland area motorcycle accidents our clients experience:

• Other motorists who are distracted by texting or phone conversations
• Drivers who take part reckless behavior, such as speeding, drinking and driving, tailgating, or refusing to yield to motorcyclists
• Drivers who fail to check for motorcyclists when changing lanes or making a turn
• Parked cars with oncoming traffic where the driver or passengers open their doors as a motorcycle passes by
• Dangerous weather conditions such as snow, hail, wind, or rain

Why Intersections Pose Some of the Greatest Risks of Motorcycle Wrecks

There are many areas of Loveland where riders experience a high concentration of accidents; however, regardless of the location, intersections are often the most common places where motorcycle accidents occur. One of the primary reasons for this is because of the size differences between cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Because motorcycles are narrower and less visually prominent than cars, motorists often overlook them when turning left, changing lanes, or entering traffic. In other scenarios, drivers may already be taking part in dangerous behaviors such as making rolling stops at a red light or trying to “beat” the light by increasing speed at a yellow signal.

Serious Injuries From Loveland Motorcycle Crashes

Because motorcycles offer little protection from impact (compared to a car or truck), motorcycle accident victims often sustain severe and even life-threatening injuries that surpass those seen in car accidents. The most common types of injuries that motorcycle accident victims typically experience include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, as well as concussions and skull fractures
• Spinal injuries, which can result in paralysis and permanent mobility issues
• Internal injuries, internal bleeding, and organ damage
• Broken bones and fractures
• Road rash
• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
• Facial injuries and dental trauma

While a person may be fortunate enough to survive a motorcycle accident, sadly, many victims find that, depending on the severity of their injuries, they are left with long-term or even permanent disability, which leaves them unable to work or care for themselves, in addition to facing the burden of medical bills and emotional trauma. In any motorcycle accident case where a person is facing these hardships, they have the right to pursue a personal injury case to recover compensation.

Loveland’s Most Dangerous Roads for Motorcycle Operators

Loveland is a large community within the Front Range metro area, with close proximity to both other larger cities and remote wilderness. As a result, this area draws in a high volume of local and commercial traffic, as well as out-of-state drivers who visit the area on business or vacation. Regardless of whether you live locally or are visiting from out of town, it’s not uncommon to see large commercial trucks, tourist traffic, or commuters at any given time of the year, many of whom may be unfamiliar with the roads or the unpredictability of the often harsh weather conditions that come with this mountainous region.

One example of this is I-25, one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado for motorcycles, which carries constant high-speed traffic through the Loveland and Fort Collins corridor, where it’s likely to encounter 18-wheelers who have little visibility, as well as dense congestion during peak months and rush hour. The same can be said for Eisenhower Boulevard, Highway 287, and the Crossroads Boulevard and Centerra area near I-25, as well as U.S. Highway 34, especially through Loveland’s busy commercial areas, where riders often face dangerous intersections and commercial traffic that make frequent and unpredictable stops.

Lastly, motorcyclists should also be particularly cautious if traversing the Big Thompson Canyon heading toward Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. While this area is a very popular destination for riders and tourists, it’s also highly risky at certain times of the year due to frequent wildlife crossings and out-of-state motorists who may be unfamiliar with the sharp curves, steep grades, and narrow lanes with slim or non-existent shoulders.

Who May Be Liable for a Colorado Motorcycle Accident?

The party (or parties) that may be held liable for your motorcycle injury depends entirely on who was involved in the accident and whether their actions contributed to your injuries. A few possible examples include:

Why Multiple Liable Parties Make Motorcycle Claims More Challenging

While it may seem obvious in the moment, once a thorough investigation of the accident is conducted, the evidence may point to a separate or even multiple parties who may be held liable for your motorcycle injury. For example, if you were hit by a drunk driver and there’s evidence that suggests that the driver had just left a local bar that has a documented history of overserving patrons, your lawyer may decide to investigate to determine if they may have contributed to the accident. The same could be said for a commercial truck that hits a motorcycle. In some cases, the driver will be held liable if it’s found that they were driving recklessly; however, in many cases it is the employer who is held liable for the actions of the driver.

While determining the full list of possible liable parties may take more time and effort, it’s always best to work with a lawyer who has the resources and skills to perform a full investigation so that the right individuals will not only be held responsible, but also so that you are able to receive complete and fair compensation.

Colorado Laws That Could Affect a Motorcycle Claim

As mentioned, there are several traffic laws that pertain only to motorcyclists, and in some cases, insurance companies may attempt to leverage these against victims to try to diminish their eligibility or question their claims.

One example of this is helmet laws; Colorado is one of the few states that does not require a helmet if you are over the age of 18. However, if you decide to ride without a helmet and you sustain a motorcycle injury, they may claim that your injury was made worse, even if it was unrelated to helmet use. In other cases, insurance may push back on whether or not you may have been filtering between lanes (which is legal in Colorado in some circumstances) as opposed to lane splitting (which is not), even if you were doing neither. Regardless, this is one of the many reasons it’s always a good idea to speak with a lawyer before discussing your accident with an insurance adjuster, as they will be able to handle these communications on your behalf.

Comparative Negligence and Colorado Injury Cases

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that even if you were partially responsible for your accident, you can still recover compensation as long as the other party is found to be at least 51% at-fault. However, depending on how much at fault you are, your settlement may be reduced by this amount. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 20% responsible for the crash, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. This is why evidence collection can be essential in these cases so that you are able to successfully prove that your role in the accident was as minimal as you claim.

How Much Is a Loveland Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Worth?

Motorcycle accident settlements can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to well over a million dollars, depending on how severe the accident was, how debilitating the injuries are, and the financial cost of medical treatment and care. Potential damages you may be eligible for include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment costs, including hospitalizations, medications, occupational and physical therapy, and more
• Lost wages, income, stock options, and retirement contributions, and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and chronic pain
• Permanent disability or disfigurement, including limb loss, vision or hearing loss, and scarring
• Property damage to the motorcycle
• Long-term care needs

The Effect of Colorado’s Insurance Laws on Loveland Motorcycle Cases

In cases where a motorcycle rider has a collision with one or more motorists, the at-fault driver’s insurance will typically cover the victim’s injuries if the claim is approved. However, the amount awarded is usually capped between $25,000 and $50,000, depending on how many people were injured. While every driver in Colorado is required to carry this minimum coverage, unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident and the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may be able to cover some or all of your medical expenses if it includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

What to Do After a Loveland, CO Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle accidents happen in an instant, and in the commotion, it can be difficult to know what to do to safeguard both your safety and your future claim. Below are the general steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Call 911 if there are any serious injuries. If not, dial the Loveland Police Department non-emergency number at (970) 667-2151.
2. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver as well as any other witnesses.
3. Take pictures of the crash site, noting injuries, property damage, weather conditions, and nearby businesses.
4. When the police arrive, they will be conducting a traffic report, which can be used as evidence later on. Answer their questions honestly, but do not offer any non-essential information or admit fault.
5. If you did not receive emergency medical care, you’ll still need to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible to document your injuries.
6. Contact a lawyer to handle communication with insurance and to manage the remainder of your case.