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Centennial, Colorado roadway at dusk. CGH Injury Lawyers represents injured cyclists across Arapahoe County.

IT'S MORE THAN MONEY.

Centennial Bicycle Accident Lawyers Who Shift Fault Back Onto the Driver

A driver hit you while you were riding lawfully on Arapahoe Road, Parker Road, or anywhere else in Centennial, and now an Arapahoe County insurer wants to blame the cyclist. CGH Injury Lawyers represents injured cyclists throughout Arapahoe County from our Denver office, uses Colorado's Safety Stop and 3-foot passing laws to put fault where it belongs, and tries cases in Arapahoe County District Court when an insurer refuses to be fair. You pay nothing unless we win.

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When a driver hits a cyclist in Centennial, the insurer's first move is almost always to blame the rider. Two Colorado laws written specifically for cyclists, and one rule about how fault is divided, decide most of these cases. Getting medical care immediately, letting an attorney answer the insurer before you do, and hiring a lawyer who is genuinely ready to try the case in Arapahoe County District Court are what protect your recovery.

  • Under Colorado's Safety Stop law (C.R.S. 42-4-1412.5), a cyclist may treat a stop sign as a yield sign and proceed through a red light after stopping when it is safe. Doing so is following the law, not breaking it, which defeats the adjuster's reflexive claim that you ran the sign.
  • Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing (C.R.S. 42-4-1003). A violation of the 3-foot rule is direct evidence of negligence in your crash case.
  • Colorado uses modified comparative fault (C.R.S. 13-21-111). You can recover as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent; if you are 50 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. Your own UM/UIM auto coverage may also pay even though you were on a bike (C.R.S. 13-80-107.5 under Pham v. State Farm, 2013 CO 17).

CGH Injury Lawyers is a eight-attorney Colorado personal injury firm whose lawyers serve on the CDOT Vulnerable Road User Safety Task Force. We serve Centennial and all of Arapahoe County from our Denver office. We do not have a Centennial address and do not pretend otherwise. Every case is handled by a licensed Colorado attorney, not a paralegal. We advance all costs, charge no upfront fees, and collect only when we win.

Local Knowledge

The Centennial courthouse, trauma centers, and corridors behind your bicycle accident claim

A Centennial bicycle accident case is tied to the city's specific roads and crossings, the hospital that treated you, and the courthouse where a jury would decide your case. Here is the ground we work on for every Arapahoe County cyclist.

Courthouse

Arapahoe County District Court, 18th Judicial District

A Centennial bicycle accident lawsuit that exceeds the county-court jurisdictional limit is filed in Arapahoe County District Court at the Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112, in the Eighteenth Judicial District. The courthouse sits in Centennial itself. The jury pool, local court procedures, and the defense firms defending Arapahoe County injury cases all differ from other Colorado jurisdictions. We handle cases filed there directly from our Denver office, without referring your case out to local counsel.

Trauma Care

HCA HealthONE Swedish and AdventHealth Littleton

Serious Centennial bicycle crash injuries are frequently treated at HCA HealthONE Swedish (Swedish Medical Center), 501 E. Hampden Ave., Englewood, CO 80113, a state-designated Level I trauma and burn center minutes from I-25. AdventHealth Littleton (formerly Littleton Adventist Hospital), 7700 S. Broadway, Littleton, CO 80122, is an American College of Surgeons verified and state-designated Level II Trauma Center. Medical records from both facilities document the full scope of your injuries, including head trauma and fractures, and become the backbone of your damages case.

High-Risk Cycling Corridors

SH 88 (Arapahoe Road), SH 83 (Parker Road), I-25, E-470, and C-470

State Highway 88 (Arapahoe Road) crosses Centennial with three lanes in each direction, where high-speed traffic meets cyclists at intersections and shoulder edges. CDOT and Arapahoe County have both documented the I-25 and Arapahoe Road interchange as a historically high-accident corridor. A CDOT safety study of State Highway 83 (Parker Road) identifies narrow shoulders, numerous access points, steep side slopes, and high traffic growth as documented crash-contributing factors, conditions that put cyclists at risk where the corridor descends into Centennial. E-470, the 47-mile toll road crossing Arapahoe County, and C-470 (SH 470), which terminates at I-25 near the Lone Tree and Centennial boundary, complete a road network that produces serious driver-on-cyclist conflict for commuters and recreational riders alike.

Colorado law

The Colorado Safety Stop law and your Centennial bicycle case

Colorado's most misunderstood cycling law is the Safety Stop (C.R.S. 42-4-1412.5), sometimes called the Idaho Stop. It changes how bicycles interact with stop signs and red lights, and it is one of the strongest tools we have for defeating a Centennial insurer's bad-faith fault claim.

At stop signs

  • You may treat a stop sign as a yield sign.
  • You must slow down and check for traffic.
  • You must yield to vehicles and pedestrians with the right of way.
  • You are not required to come to a full foot-down stop when the intersection is clear.

At red lights

  • You must come to a complete stop.
  • After stopping, yield to all cross-traffic and pedestrians.
  • You may then proceed if it is safe to do so.
  • This addresses stale red lights that do not detect bicycles.

Why this matters in a Centennial crash case

Arapahoe County adjusters often claim a cyclist ran a stop sign or blew a red light to shift fault after a collision. The Safety Stop law is your shield. If you slowed, checked for traffic, and yielded at a stop sign, you were complying with Colorado law. Our attorneys reconstruct the intersection, obtain witness statements, and prove you used the discretion the statute grants. That work is decisive under Colorado's modified comparative negligence rule, where being found 50 percent or more at fault bars any recovery.

The Safety Stop is not a free pass. Entering an intersection without slowing or checking is still reckless, still illegal, and can be used against you in a liability claim.

Rights and duties

Rules of the road: cyclist rights and driver duties in Centennial

Colorado law gives cyclists the same rights as motor vehicles under Title 42, and it places specific duties on drivers to protect vulnerable road users on Centennial's streets and highways.

  1. The 3-foot passing rule (C.R.S. 42-4-1003)

    Drivers must leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. If the lane is too narrow to do that while staying in the lane, the driver must change lanes or wait. On a three-lane corridor like Arapahoe Road, a violation is direct evidence of negligence, and we use dashcam footage, witnesses, and accident reconstruction to prove it.

  2. Taking the lane

    Cyclists may occupy the center of a traffic lane when conditions make it the safe choice, such as a narrow shoulder along Parker Road. Drivers who honk, tailgate, or try to squeeze past a cyclist who is legally in the lane may be liable for harassment or endangerment.

  3. Riding two abreast

    Colorado law permits cyclists to ride side by side unless it impedes the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. On wide roads and group rides, riding two abreast is legal and often safer, because it shortens the distance a driver must cover to pass.

  4. Required equipment

    Bicycles ridden between sunset and sunrise must have a front light and a rear reflector. Failure to use lights can reduce your recovery in a nighttime crash, though it rarely eliminates liability on its own.

E-bikes

E-bike laws in Colorado: Class 1, 2, and 3 explained

Electric bicycles are regulated separately from traditional bikes in Colorado. The state recognizes three classes based on motor assistance and top assisted speed, and your class can affect how an Arapahoe County insurer argues your case.

Class 1

Pedal-assist only. The motor helps while you pedal and stops assisting at 20 mph. Class 1 e-bikes are the most widely permitted, including on many trails.

Class 2

Throttle-assisted. The motor can move the bike without pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph. Many trails restrict Class 2 e-bikes.

Class 3

Pedal-assist up to a higher 28 mph top assisted speed. Class 3 e-bikes face the most trail restrictions and are usually limited to roads and bike lanes.

Many Colorado trails restrict Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. Riding a non-compliant e-bike on a restricted trail can bring fines and can complicate liability if you collide with a pedestrian or another cyclist.

If a car hits you while you ride an e-bike on a public road in Centennial, your e-bike class generally does not affect your right to recover damages, as long as you were riding lawfully. If you were on a Class 3 e-bike on a trail that bans them, an insurer may argue you were trespassing or acting recklessly. We know how to answer that argument.

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Liability and compensation

Who pays after a Centennial bicycle crash, and what you can recover

When a driver hits a cyclist, Colorado law lets the injured rider pursue the full cost of the harm. The questions that decide value are how fault is divided and which insurance sources apply.

Comparative negligence in Colorado

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. 13-21-111). You can recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent, and your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are found 30 percent at fault, for example for not signaling a turn, your recovery is reduced by 30 percent. This is why the Safety Stop law and the 3-foot rule matter so much in Centennial cases. They let us push fault back onto the driver where it belongs.

Your own auto coverage may pay (UM/UIM)

Many cyclists do not know this: your own auto insurance policy may cover you while you ride your bike. If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, your uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Colorado UM/UIM claims are governed by C.R.S. 13-80-107.5 under Pham v. State Farm, 2013 CO 17. That coverage matters most in hit-and-run cases and when the at-fault driver carries minimal limits. We help clients identify every available source, including homeowner and umbrella policies, to reach a full recovery.

The helmet defense myth

Can you still sue if you were not wearing a helmet? Yes. Colorado does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling, and not wearing one is not automatic negligence. Insurers will still argue that going without a helmet added to your injuries, especially in head-injury cases, a theory called failure to mitigate damages. It will not bar your claim, but it can reduce recovery under the comparative negligence rule. We work with medical experts to prove the extent of your injuries and to show that a helmet would not have prevented harm caused by the driver, such as spinal injuries, broken bones, or internal trauma.

After the crash

What to do after a bicycle accident in Centennial

The minutes and hours after a crash can make or break your case. These steps protect your health and preserve the evidence an Arapahoe County insurer will later try to dispute.

  1. Call 911

    Request both police and medical help. A Centennial Police or Arapahoe County Sheriff crash report is critical evidence. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries.

  2. Do not negotiate or apologize

    Do not discuss fault with the driver or their insurer. Statements like "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you" can be used against you later to push your fault toward the 50-percent bar.

  3. Seek medical care immediately

    Serious Centennial bicycle injuries are often treated at HCA HealthONE Swedish in Englewood, a state-designated Level I trauma and burn center, or AdventHealth Littleton, a state-designated Level II Trauma Center. Delayed symptoms such as concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue injuries are common. A treatment gap weakens your claim significantly.

  4. Preserve evidence

    Photograph the scene, your bike, your injuries, and the vehicle. Note the cross street or interchange where the crash happened. Collect witness names and contacts. Keep your damaged gear and do not repair or discard it.

  5. Call CGH before the deadlines run

    Colorado gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)), which covers a driver who hits a cyclist. If a government vehicle, public road authority, or signal defect contributed, a separate written notice of claim must be filed within 182 days after you discover the injury (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1)). A free consultation costs you nothing.

How it works

How a Centennial bicycle accident claim works with CGH Injury Lawyers

A Centennial bicycle accident claim moves through six stages. Most cases resolve before a courtroom, but every case at CGH is prepared as if it will be tried in front of an Arapahoe County jury.

  1. Free case evaluation

    We review the facts of your Centennial crash, explain your rights under Colorado law, and answer your questions at no cost and no obligation.

  2. Investigation and evidence preservation

    We gather the Centennial Police or Arapahoe County Sheriff crash report, intersection and signal-timing evidence, witness statements, and medical records from Swedish Medical Center or AdventHealth Littleton. We bring in accident reconstruction experts when the crash mechanics need documentation.

  3. Demand letter

    We calculate your full damages across every legal category and send a documented demand to the at-fault driver's insurer, supported by medical records, wage loss documentation, and expert reports where needed.

  4. Negotiation

    Most Centennial bicycle accident cases settle during negotiation. We negotiate from a position of genuine trial readiness, which produces better offers than a firm that signals it wants to avoid Arapahoe County District Court.

  5. Filing suit in Arapahoe County District Court

    If the insurer refuses a fair offer, we file in Arapahoe County District Court at the Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112. We do not refer your case to outside litigation counsel; the same team that evaluated it files and handles it.

  6. Trial before an Arapahoe County jury

    Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. When an Arapahoe County jury is what full recovery requires, we are prepared to present your Centennial bicycle accident case from start to finish.

Your team

The attorneys handling your Centennial bicycle accident case

CGH Injury Lawyers is a eight-attorney Colorado personal injury firm founded in 2016, formerly Cheney Galluzzi and Howard. Our attorneys serve on the CDOT Vulnerable Road User Safety Task Force, working with state legislators and transportation officials to improve cyclist protections. Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023. Every Centennial bicycle accident case is handled by a licensed Colorado attorney, not a paralegal, from the first call through the final outcome.

ABOTA member on the team Tim Tarr: Best Lawyers in America since 2023 CDOT Vulnerable Road User Safety Task Force Over 25 cases to verdict Arapahoe County District Court experience Bilingual EN / ES Free consultation No fee unless we win

Frequently asked questions

Centennial bicycle accident lawyer, frequently asked questions

Where would my Centennial bicycle accident lawsuit be filed?

A Centennial bicycle accident lawsuit that exceeds the county-court jurisdictional limit is filed in Arapahoe County District Court at the Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112, in the Eighteenth Judicial District. The courthouse is in Centennial itself. Most bicycle claims settle before a lawsuit is filed, but venue affects the local rules, the jury pool, and which adjusters and defense firms you face. CGH Injury Lawyers handles Arapahoe County District Court cases directly.

The insurer says I ran a stop sign on my bike. Does that end my Centennial case?

Not automatically. Colorado's Safety Stop law (C.R.S. 42-4-1412.5) lets a cyclist treat a stop sign as a yield sign and proceed through a red light after stopping when it is safe. If you slowed, checked for traffic, and yielded to anyone with the right of way, you were following the law, not breaking it. Arapahoe County insurers reflexively claim a rider blew the sign to shift fault. We reconstruct the intersection, gather witness statements, and show you used the discretion the statute grants.

I was partly at fault for the Centennial crash. Can I still recover?

Often, yes. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. 13-21-111). You can recover as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent, and your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. Arapahoe County insurers commonly inflate a cyclist's fault to cut payouts, and we use the Safety Stop law and the 3-foot rule to challenge that assignment.

Can my own car insurance cover a Centennial bicycle crash?

Often, yes. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it may pay your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, even though you were on a bike. This matters most in hit-and-run cases and when the at-fault driver has minimal limits. Colorado UM/UIM claims are governed by C.R.S. 13-80-107.5 under Pham v. State Farm, 2013 CO 17.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim after a Centennial crash?

Colorado gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)), which covers a driver who hits a cyclist. If a government vehicle or agency was involved, or a road or signal defect contributed, you must also provide written notice within 182 days of discovering the injury under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1)). That 182-day notice is a jurisdictional prerequisite, meaning missing it bars the claim entirely. Because evidence on corridors like Arapahoe Road degrades quickly, do not wait to consult an attorney.

Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?

Yes. Colorado does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling, and going without one is not automatic negligence. An insurer may argue that not wearing a helmet added to your injuries, which can reduce recovery under the comparative negligence rule, but it does not bar your claim. We use medical experts to show the driver's negligence caused the harm, such as spinal injuries, broken bones, or internal trauma.

Which trauma center would treat my injuries after a serious Centennial bicycle crash?

The primary trauma centers serving the Centennial area are HCA HealthONE Swedish (Swedish Medical Center), 501 E. Hampden Ave., Englewood, CO 80113, a state-designated Level I trauma and burn center, and AdventHealth Littleton (formerly Littleton Adventist Hospital), 7700 S. Broadway, Littleton, CO 80122, an American College of Surgeons verified and state-designated Level II Trauma Center. Medical records from either facility are central to documenting the full scope of a serious bicycle accident injury claim.

Does CGH Injury Lawyers have an office in Centennial?

No. CGH Injury Lawyers has one physical office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205. We serve Centennial and all of Arapahoe County from that Denver office, file in Arapahoe County District Court at the Eighteenth Judicial District, and meet clients on their schedule. We do not maintain a Centennial address and do not pretend otherwise. Call us at (303) 209-9395.

Related Centennial pages and Colorado practice areas

Centennial

Bicycle accident resources

Related injury cases

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IT'S MORE THAN MONEY.

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Read next: How Colorado's bicycle accident law works

CGH Injury Lawyers · Serving Centennial from 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205