Boulder Bicycle Accident Lawyers

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Boulder bicycle accident attorney

Boulder Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Too often, the headline “Boulder Cyclist Hit by Car” comes across the news feeds. Cycling crashes are quite common and often result in serious, lifelong injuries. If you’ve been injured in a Boulder bike crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A Boulder bicycle accident lawyer can help you get the settlement you deserve.

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we represent injured cyclists in personal injury cases against those responsible for their injuries. With our help, you can file a claim to hold the negligent driver who hit you accountable while pursuing meaningful compensation for your injuries.

Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicyclists injured in a car accident often suffer very serious injuries. In large part, this is because cyclists are often moving rapidly, and are defenseless against a motor vehicle. While helmets help to prevent some of the most serious bicycle accident injuries, they can only do so much. 

Most bicyclists suffer one or more of the following types of injuries after an accident.

Head Injuries  

While some accident-related head injuries are minor, such as bumps and bruises, they can also be extremely serious. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of bicycle accidents involve head injuries, and 30% of those suffering head injuries were killed.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are the result of the brain forcefully colliding with the inside of the skull. Unlike most other head injuries, traumatic brain injuries may not cause any noticeable symptoms in an accident victim. However, if untreated, a victim’s condition can worsen, especially if they suffer another blow to the head at some point in the future. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 233,000 people were hospitalized in 2018 with traumatic brain injuries. 

Injuries to the Face

In the event of a bicycling accident, helmets cannot protect against injuries to the face. Some of the most common facial injuries include broken noses, orbital fractures, broken teeth, fractured jaws, serious lacerations and permanent scarring. These injuries not only affect a cyclist’s physical appearance but can also cause long-term pain and limited range of motion.

Broken Bones

Because of the force of a large vehicle combined with the speed of the bicyclist, common cycling injuries include fractured collarbones, arms, wrists, hands, hips, and lower legs. Again, many of these fractures  

Soft Tissue Damage

Soft tissues serve as connection points between bones and act as a cushion around vital organs. Soft tissues consist of the body’s muscles, nerves, and tendons. After a cycling accident, these tissues often suffer trauma that causes significant and lasting pain.  Torn ligaments and tendons may require surgical repair. 

Road Rash

After a bicycle accident, it is common for the cyclist to get thrown to the pavement, often with significant force. As the rider’s body slides along the rough asphalt, the friction can cause severe abrasions, commonly referred to as road rash.  

Death

Unfortunately, many bicycle accidents are fatal. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 843 people killed in bicycle accidents in 2019. This is about 2% of all fatal traffic accident victims. Families of those who are killed in a Boulder bike accident can pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party.

Regardless of the type of injuries you sustained in a bike accident, the knowledgeable Boulder bicycle accident attorneys at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., can help you identify the full extent of your damages. We use our knowledge to seek fair compensation for your injuries, ensuring that you are well-informed when negotiating with the other party’s insurance company.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Boulder

Determining the cause of a bicycle accident is an important part of the personal injury claims process. Unless you can show that the driver was negligent, you will not be able to recover compensation for your injuries. 

In this context, “negligence” is a legal term with a specific definition. To establish that a driver was negligent, an injured cyclist must prove each of the following elements:

  1. The driver owed the cyclists a duty of care;
  2. The driver violated the duty owed to the cyclist;
  3. The driver’s actions were the cause of the cyclist’s injuries; and
  4. The cyclist suffered economic and/or non-economic damages as a result of the accident. 

Some of the most common causes of Boulder bike accidents include the following:

  • Distracted driving;
  • Impaired driving;
  • Failure to provide cyclists with enough room;
  • Speeding;
  • Erratic driving;
  • Dangerous lane changes;
  • Improper turns;
  • Drowsy driving; and
  • Failure to yield the right of way.

Proving fault in a cycling crash is not always straightforward or simple. A seasoned bicycle accident attorney in Boulder can help you determine if another driver was at fault for the accident and can help you determine your legal remedies.

Get Help Recovering From Your Bicycle Accident

Bicycle accidents can be devastating. If you were injured in an accident caused by the negligence of someone else, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Contact our Boulder bicycle accident lawyers today.

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Should You Talk to a Boulder Bicycle Accident Attorney?

While there is no strict legal requirement that you have an attorney represent you after a cycling crash, it is generally a good idea to at least speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in Boulder. Consulting a lawyer will give you a better idea of your options and what damages or remedies you can expect if you are successful in your claim.

Damages in a Boulder cycling accident case may include compensation for a victim’s economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include:

  • Past and future medical expenses,
  • Lost wages,
  • Decrease in earning capacity, and
  • Property damage.

Non-economic damages include:

  • Physical pain and suffering,
  • Emotional distress,
  • Reputational harm, 
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life,
  • Exacerbation of existing injuries, and
  • Disability or permanent disfigurement. 

Colorado law does not limit the amount of economic damages an accident victim can recover. However, state law imposes a damages cap on non-economic damages. These figures were recently updated on February 14, 2022. The current non-economic damages cap in Colorado is $642,180 for all claims arising between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2024. 

Additionally, if you decide to retain an attorney, your lawyer will handle all aspects of the case. This takes the legal hassles and stress completely off you and allows you to focus on your recovery. A Boulder bike accident attorney will investigate the accident, gather all necessary evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company.

If the insurance company is unwilling to extend a fair settlement agreement, a lawyer can file the appropriate documents, initiate a lawsuit, and take your case to trial.

Contact a Dedicated Boulder Bicycle Accident Lawyer to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries in a cycling crash, the Boulder bike accident lawyers of Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., can help. We have over 90 years of experience helping cyclists recover the compensation they need to move on with their lives after an accident.

We have helped our injured clients recover more than $100 million, and we look forward to talking with you to see how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation, give Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., a call at 720-792-8030 today. You can also reach us through our online contact form.

CONTACT US

In all matters involving personal injury it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and file a lawsuit prior to the deadline imposed by the Statute of Limitations. If you or a loved one is a victim of personal injuries, call Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. now at 800-873-3202 or submit a simple Case Review Form. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a Contingent Fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don’t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law.