Denver Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Defending Clients in Colorado

Colorado is a great state for bicyclists. With its beautiful scenery and mild climate, it is no wonder that so many people choose to ride their bikes to work, school, and for leisure. However, with the increasing number of bicyclists on the road, the number of bicycle accidents has also increased. In fact, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 1,672 bicycle accidents in 2018, resulting in 22 fatalities and 1,317 injuries.

When a bicycle accident occurs, it is not uncommon for the driver of the motor vehicle involved to be charged with a crime. If you have been charged with a crime following a bicycle accident, it is important to seek legal representation from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Orr Law Firm, we have successfully defended countless clients against a wide range of criminal charges, including those related to bicycle accidents. Our Denver bicycle accident lawyers are prepared to aggressively advocate for you throughout the legal process and fight for a favorable outcome on your behalf.

Call our office at (303) 747-4247 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Being involved in a bicycle accident can be a traumatic experience. However, it is important to try to remain calm and take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your rights. If you are physically able to do so, there are several things you should do after a bicycle accident:

• Call 911: If you are seriously injured, you should call 911 and request an ambulance. Even if you are not seriously injured, you should still call the police and report the accident. The police will create an accident report, which can be useful if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you do not think you are injured, you should still seek medical attention after a bicycle accident. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, if you decide to file a personal injury claim, you will need to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. Having a medical professional document your injuries can help you do this.
• Exchange Information: You should exchange contact and insurance information with the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident. If there were any witnesses to the accident, you should also try to get their contact information.
• Document the Scene: If you are physically able to do so, you should take pictures of the accident scene. You should also write down everything you remember about the accident, including the time, date, and location of the accident, the weather conditions, and what you were doing immediately before the accident occurred.
• Do Not Admit Fault: You should never admit fault after a bicycle accident, even if you think you may have been partially to blame. You should also avoid making any statements to the police or the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident.
• Call Your Insurance Company: You should call your insurance company and report the accident as soon as possible. However, you should avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney.
• Speak to an Attorney: You should speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a bicycle accident. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and ensure that they are protected.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

There are many factors that can contribute to a bicycle accident. In some cases, the bicyclist may be partially to blame for the accident. However, in many cases, the accident is caused by the negligence of the driver of the motor vehicle involved. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Driver Negligence: Many bicycle accidents are caused by the negligence of the driver of the motor vehicle involved. Some examples of driver negligence include speeding, running a red light or stop sign, failing to yield the right of way, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Distracted Driving: When a driver is not paying attention to the road, they are more likely to cause an accident. Some examples of distracted driving include talking or texting on a cell phone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, and using a navigation system.
• Dooring: Dooring occurs when a driver or passenger of a parked car opens their door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. This can cause the bicyclist to be thrown from their bike and suffer serious injuries.
• Poor Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, such as potholes, uneven pavement, and debris in the road, can cause a bicyclist to lose control of their bike and crash.
• Defective Bicycle Parts: In some cases, a bicycle accident is caused by a defective bicycle part. If a defective bicycle part caused your accident, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the part.

Common Injuries Sustained in Bicycle Accidents

When a bicycle accident occurs, the bicyclist is often seriously injured. This is because bicyclists are not protected by the steel frame of a car and are more likely to be thrown from their bike. Some of the most common injuries sustained in bicycle accidents include:

• Head Injuries: When a bicyclist is thrown from their bike, they are likely to hit their head on the pavement or another object. This can cause a traumatic brain injury, which can result in long-term or permanent brain damage.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: A spinal cord injury can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. In some cases, a spinal cord injury can be fatal.
• Broken Bones: When a bicyclist is thrown from their bike, they are likely to break one or more bones. Some broken bones can be treated with a cast, while others may require surgery.
• Internal Organ Damage: When a bicyclist is thrown from their bike, they may suffer internal organ damage. Internal organ damage can be life-threatening and may require emergency surgery.
• Road Rash: Road rash occurs when a bicyclist’s skin scrapes against the pavement. Road rash can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement.

What to Do If You Are Charged with a Crime After a Bicycle Accident

If you are charged with a crime after a bicycle accident, it is important to take the charges seriously. A conviction can result in serious criminal penalties, such as fines, probation, and even jail time. Additionally, a conviction can have long-term consequences, such as a permanent criminal record, which can make it difficult to find a job, housing, or a loan. If you are charged with a crime after a bicycle accident, there are several things you should do:

• Do Not Talk to the Police: You should never talk to the police without an attorney present, even if you are innocent. Anything you say to the police can be used against you in court. You should also avoid talking to the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company: You should avoid talking to the insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney. The insurance company may try to get you to say something that can be used against you in court.
• Do Not Talk to the Media: You should avoid talking to the media about the accident. Anything you say to the media can be used against you in court.
• Do Not Post About the Accident on Social Media: You should avoid posting about the accident on social media. The prosecutor can use anything you post on social media against you in court.
• Call an Attorney: You should call an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you are charged with a crime. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and ensure that they are protected.

Types of Criminal Charges After a Bicycle Accident

When a bicycle accident occurs, the driver of the motor vehicle involved may be charged with a crime. Some of the most common criminal charges after a bicycle accident include:

• Reckless Driving: A driver can be charged with reckless driving if they drive in a manner that is likely to endanger the safety of others. Reckless driving is a traffic offense in Colorado. However, if a driver’s reckless driving causes serious bodily injury or death, they can be charged with a Class 5 felony.
• Careless Driving: A driver can be charged with careless driving if they drive in a manner that is careless, reckless, or imprudent. Careless driving is a traffic offense in Colorado. However, if a driver’s careless driving causes serious bodily injury or death, they can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
• Failure to Yield the Right of Way: A driver can be charged with failure to yield the right of way if they fail to yield the right of way to a bicyclist who has the right of way. Failure to yield the right of way is a traffic offense in Colorado. However, if a driver’s failure to yield the right of way causes serious bodily injury or death, they can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: A driver can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs if they operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a traffic offense in Colorado. However, if a driver’s driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes serious bodily injury or death, they can be charged with a felony.
• Hit and Run: A driver can be charged with hit and run if they leave the scene of an accident without stopping and exchanging information with the other driver. Hit and run is a traffic offense in Colorado. However, if a driver’s hit and run causes serious bodily injury or death, they can be charged with a felony.
• Assault: A driver can be charged with assault if they intentionally cause serious bodily injury to a bicyclist. Assault is a felony in Colorado.
• Vehicular Assault: A driver can be charged with vehicular assault if they operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner that causes serious bodily injury to a bicyclist. Vehicular assault is a felony in Colorado.
• Vehicular Homicide: A driver can be charged with vehicular homicide if they operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner that causes the death of a bicyclist. Vehicular homicide is a felony in Colorado.

How Our Firm Can Help

If you are charged with a crime after a bicycle accident, you may be unsure of what to do next. At Orr Law Firm, we are here to help. Our Denver bicycle accident attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of Colorado law and can help you navigate the legal process. We will work tirelessly to build a strong defense strategy on your behalf and fight for a favorable outcome in your case. Our team is prepared to answer your questions and address your concerns every step of the way.

Discuss Your Case with a Member of Our Team

If you are facing criminal charges after a bicycle accident, you need an experienced attorney on your side. At Orr Law Firm, we are committed to providing each and every client with the exceptional legal services they deserve. We will fight aggressively for your rights and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Our team is proud to serve clients throughout Colorado, including those in Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Call our office at (303) 747-4247 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.