The Importance of a Quality Bike Accident Lawyer

In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 726 cyclists had perished in accidents involving motor vehicles. There are many non-fatal injuries as well, but only about one in 10 of them are officially reported. A good bike accident lawyer could have filed a successful tort action in many of these instances.

Classes of Bike Accidents

The exact breakdown of bike accidents varies by region, but a general estimate is as follows: 50% of cases involved a sole cyclist, 40% involved a cyclist and an automobile, and 10% of cases involve collision with a pedestrian, another cyclist or a stationary object.

Some of the most common causes of bike accidents are as follows:

• A motorist enters the path of a bike, either while going straight ahead or turning.
• A cyclist enters the path of a car, suddenly leaving the sidewalk or turning into its trajectory.
• A vehicle, often a bus or large truck, passes a bicyclist without giving adequate room.
• The motorist was speeding, intoxicated, inattentive or diving recklessly.
• The bicyclist had no reflectors, lights or bright clothing.
• Two cyclists or a cyclist and a motorist collided head on.
• A person inside a parked car flung open the door over a sidewalk in the direct path of an oncoming bicycle.

Results of Bike Accidents

Despite following all applicable safety practices, some bike accidents still inevitably occur. A top bike accident lawyer can assist those injured in Boulder, CO, who have suffered wrongfully in any of the following common ways:

1. 1. Limb injuries. About 40% of injuries are to arms and 25% are to legs.
2. 2. Head injuries. Skull fractures cause of 3/4 of bike accident fatalities. Brain damage and concussions are also common. Over 40% of hospitalized bikers suffered head trauma.
3. 3. Chest and/or abdomen injuries. While sustained by only 5% of bikers, these types of injuries are often very serious

Legal Concerns

Bicycle injuries can be subject to Colorado’s two-year statute of limitations and the comparative fault rule. If partial fault is assigned to the biker, claims will be lowered by that percentage, but no claim can be collected if 50% or more fault is assigned to the cyclist. As of 2014, non-economic damages were capped at $468,010 (although under certain circumstances this amount can be doubled).

Sloat & Nicholson understand the economic and life consequences of serious bike injuries, and they are well equipped to secure full and fair compensation for wrongful injury in a court of law.