For those with a sense of adventure, motorcycles can be a fun alternative to the traditional car for travel purposes. They are cheaper to acquire and are generally more cost effective to maintain than cars. However, motorcyclists face many dangers while riding including road hazards and negligent motorists. More than 80% of motorcycle accidents result in death or injury for the rider.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, your health and your livelihood may be at risk. If your injury is the result of another person’s negligence, you do not have to suffer the consequences alone. You deserve full and fair compensation to put your life back together. Our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young can help you get justice.
Dulin McQuinn Young is a firm of personal injury lawyers in Colorado Springs with over 20 years of experience handling our client’s claims. Our track record of success proves we are motivated to win. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyers can help you identify the legally responsible party and hold them accountable. We can relieve you of the stress involved in pursuing financial compensation while you focus on recovering from the physical and emotional injuries.
Contact Dulin McQuinn Young today at (303) 246-1111 to schedule your free consultation.
How Our Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You
After a serious injury, you need an experienced Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer who can advocate for you and safeguard your rights. When you hire our personal injury law firm, we help by:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident to determine if the accident was caused by a motorist’s negligence, defective motorcycle part, or dangerous road
- Identifying, preserving, and gathering evidence to build a strong case on your behalf
- Guiding you through the legal process, advising you of your legal rights, and answering your questions
- Coordinating your medical care, requesting your medical records, and documenting how the accident has affected you
- Handling communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Representing you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
We can handle all aspects of your case while you focus on recovery. Call us today to start the recovery process with a free case review.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Colorado Springs
Because motorcyclists are exposed to the elements, their bodies take the brunt of the impact in a crash. Motorcycle helmets and protective gear offer some protection, but a serious crash can still result in catastrophic injuries. Victims of motorcycle accidents suffer serious injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Disfigurement
- Head and neck injuries
- Skin damage
- Permanent muscle damage
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you’ve incurred.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The injuries discussed above often have long-lasting effects on victims. They may impact your ability to work, result in the need for extensive medical treatment, and drastically reduce your quality of life. Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to ease the financial burden brought on by the accident. Damages you could recover might include:
- Medical expenses – Medical treatment costs for motorcycle accident injuries can be exorbitant. You may have been hospitalized and undergone surgery. Your damages may include payment for your medical costs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation expenses, and ongoing medical care. They can also include compensation for future medical expenses.
- Lost income – Damages could also include past and present lost wages. They could also include compensation for your lost or reduced earning capacity. These damages consider the earnings you were projected to make before the accident versus those you are now expected to make.
- Property damage – You have the right to seek compensation to pay to have your bike repaired or replaced.
- Home modifications – You could also recover compensation for the cost of home or vehicle modifications to accommodate a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering – You may also be entitled to recover compensation for your non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional stress, and impairment of quality of life.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case and determine the damages we can seek on your behalf.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Recovering compensation after a motorcycle accident requires showing why the accident happened and who is responsible for it. Some of the most common reasons motorcycle crashes occur include:
Reckless Driving and Negligence
Other motorists may not drive safely around motorcyclists. They may misjudge their speed and distance. They could fail to check their blind spots when they change lanes or merge. They could speed, fail to yield, or violate other traffic laws that make them more likely to cause a serious accident with a motorcyclist.
Left-Turn Accidents
As many as 43% of motorcycle accidents in the United States involve another vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Poor Road Conditions
Because motorcycles are lower to the ground and have fewer wheels than passenger vehicles, motorcyclists are more susceptible to losing control of their vehicles due to hazardous road conditions, such as:
- Potholes
- Uneven lanes
- Debris in the roadway
- Inadequate lighting
Bike Problems
Faulty brakes, tires, engines, or other mechanical issues can cause motorcycle accidents. These problems can be due to negligent repair work or vehicle defects.
Who Is Responsible for Motorcycle Accidents?
Various parties can be responsible for motorcycle accidents, which often involve a combination of negligent driver behavior, poor road conditions, and automotive problems. In many motorcycle accident cases, another motorist is responsible for injuries. In other cases, the government agency responsible for maintaining the roadway or a bike or part manufacturer may be responsible.
An experienced accident lawyer in Colorado Springs can review your case and identify the party or parties responsible for your injuries.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Yes. Colorado law does not require adults to wear helmets. Additionally, wearing a helmet wouldn’t have prevented the accident. Your decision not to wear a helmet does not eliminate your right to seek compensation from the party at fault for your injuries.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Am Found Partly at Fault for an Accident?
In some cases, the motorcyclist may contribute to the accident. Colorado uses a modified comparative fault system in these situations. Under this system, you can still pursue compensation if you contributed to the accident as long as you were not 50% or more at fault for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found to be 25% responsible for the accident and suffered damages of $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 25% or $25,000 in this example.
How to Prove Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case
When you work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, we can take steps to prove liability, including:
- Collecting the police report
- Photographing the scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, and your injuries
- Obtaining video footage from traffic or dash cameras
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Requesting your medical records, including diagnoses, treatment plans, and other medical documentation
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts, as necessary, who can use objective data to show how the crash occurred
These steps help build a strong claim on your behalf for maximum compensation.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
Follow these steps to safeguard your health and legal rights after a motorcycle crash:
- Call 911 to report the accident to authorities.
- Seek medical attention immediately so your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented.
- Ask the driver for their personal, contact, and insurance information.
- Ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Take photos or video of the crash site, damage to all involved vehicles, and your injuries.
- Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim?
Every state has a statute of limitations for different offenses. These are time limits within which a wrongdoer can be held accountable for their actions. Statutes of limitations apply to both criminal and civil offenses to promote fairness in the justice system. Generally, personal injury claims, including wrongful death claims, in Colorado must be initiated within two years from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury. For motorcycle accident claims, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury.
Call Dulin McQuinn Young Today
If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s negligence, let Dulin McQuinn Young protect your interests and get you full and fair compensation for your injuries. At Dulin McQuinn Young your initial consultation is free.
Contact our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyers today at (303) 246-1111 today and schedule your free consultation.