Denver’s extensive bike lane network along Broadway and Speer Boulevard is no match for distracted drivers and delivery trucks making illegal turns. If you were injured near the Cherry Creek Trail crossing at Confluence Park or along the 15th Street protected lane, you’re facing unique challenges with Colorado’s comparative negligence laws and insurance companies that routinely blame cyclists. When a collision turns your commute into a catastrophe, you need attorneys who understand both Denver’s cycling infrastructure and the aggressive tactics insurers use to minimize your claim.
As a dedicated Denver personal injury law firm with deep roots in Colorado’s cycling community, Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC represents injured cyclists throughout the metro area. Our specialized bicycle accident practice is part of our wider legal services in Denver, where we’ve spent years mastering the intersection of Colorado traffic law, municipal ordinances, and the unique hazards facing riders on our city’s streets.
Recent Wins for Denver Cyclists
Recently, we represented a cyclist involved in a dooring incident on the 15th Street protected bike lane near Larimer Square. The driver’s insurance initially denied liability, claiming our client had “plenty of room” to avoid the opening door. We obtained footage from nearby businesses and demonstrated that the driver violated Denver Municipal Code § 54-475, which prohibits opening vehicle doors into bike lanes. The case settled for $750,000.
In another matter, we secured a $1.2 million verdict for a rider who suffered traumatic brain injury when struck by a delivery truck making an illegal right turn across the Champa Street bike lane near Union Station. Our investigation revealed the driver had violated multiple CDOT regulations specific to commercial vehicle operations in downtown Denver.
Why Denver’s Bike Laws Matter
We navigate the complexities of Denver’s evolving bicycle infrastructure laws, including the city’s three-foot passing ordinance (Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-233) and protected bike lane violations that many drivers—and even insurance adjusters—don’t fully understand. We also work directly with the Denver District Court filing requirements and understand how Denver judges interpret Colorado’s comparative negligence statute (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) in bicycle cases, where insurers routinely attempt to shift blame onto injured cyclists.
Our Denver Bicycle Accident Claims Process
Step 1: Immediate Scene Investigation
We request traffic camera footage from the Denver Department of Transportation and Public Works, obtain witness statements from nearby businesses along corridors like Speer Boulevard or the Cherry Creek Trail, and work with accident reconstruction specialists who understand Denver’s unique street grid and bike infrastructure.
Step 2: Comprehensive Evidence Building
We file records requests with Denver Police Department for the official crash report, subpoena maintenance logs for commercial vehicles involved, and gather medical documentation from Denver Health, UCHealth, or other facilities where you received treatment. We also document bicycle damage and identify all insurance policies that may provide coverage.
Step 3: Strategic Negotiation or Trial
We handle all communications with insurance adjusters, countering tactics designed to blame cyclists or minimize injuries. If settlement negotiations fail to produce fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to file suit in Denver District Court at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, where our trial experience consistently delivers results.
Why Choose Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC
We’re not just attorneys—we’re your neighbors who ride these same streets and understand the unique challenges Denver cyclists face on Broadway, along the Cherry Creek Trail, and through high-traffic corridors like Colfax Avenue. Our deep roots in the local community give us insight into cycling infrastructure, traffic patterns, and common hazard areas that other firms simply miss.
Specialized Experience with Colorado Bicycle Law
Our team stays current with every legal development affecting cyclists’ rights, including recent changes to Denver’s protected bike lane regulations and right-of-way laws specific to our city. We’ve successfully countered insurance arguments that attempt to assign undue blame to injured cyclists by leveraging our detailed knowledge of Denver Municipal Code provisions and Colorado Revised Statutes that protect your rights on the road.
Trial Experience That Drives Better Settlements
While many firms push for quick settlements, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse. Insurance companies recognize our willingness to litigate, which consistently results in stronger settlement offers. Our trial record includes successful verdicts in complex cases involving disputed liability, catastrophic injuries, and multiple corporate defendants.
Contingency Fee Structure: No Recovery, No Fee
You pay absolutely nothing unless we secure compensation for your injuries. We advance all costs associated with your case—expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, medical record retrieval, filing fees—removing any financial barriers to pursuing justice. During your free consultation, we’ll clearly explain how our fee structure works with complete transparency.
Delivery Truck and Commercial Vehicle Crashes
Denver’s explosion in e-commerce and food delivery services has flooded our streets with commercial vehicles, creating heightened risks for cyclists. These large trucks have massive blind spots and require greater stopping distances, often leading to catastrophic injuries when collisions occur near loading zones or during illegal turns across bike lanes.
We’ve developed specific expertise in these complex cases, which often involve corporate defendants like Amazon, FedEx, UPS, DoorDash, and Uber Eats with substantial legal resources. We identify all potentially liable parties—not just the driver, but also the delivery company, vehicle maintenance providers, and third-party logistics companies whose negligence may have contributed to your accident.
Maximizing Your Insurance Recovery
Many cyclists don’t realize their own automobile insurance may provide significant coverage through personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. We conduct a comprehensive insurance analysis to identify every potential compensation source, including the at-fault driver’s policy, your own auto coverage, homeowner’s insurance, and umbrella policies.
When dealing with insurance adjusters, we counter common tactics used to minimize bicycle accident claims—like arguing you weren’t wearing a helmet (not required by Colorado law for adults) or that you “came out of nowhere.” Our thorough case preparation, supported by accident reconstruction evidence and detailed medical documentation, effectively overcomes these strategies.
Proven Results: Damages We Recover
Our firm has recovered millions in verdicts and settlements for Denver bicycle accident victims. The compensation we pursue extends far beyond medical bills to address the full impact of your accident:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment)
- Lost wages and earning capacity (including future income if you can’t return to your profession)
- Bicycle and equipment replacement (high-end bikes, gear, electronics)
- Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD)
- Permanent disability and disfigurement (scarring, loss of mobility, amputation)
- Loss of quality of life (inability to ride, exercise, or enjoy activities)
For clients with permanent disabilities, we work with life care planners and vocational experts to calculate the lifetime costs of needed care, adaptive equipment, and lost career opportunities.
Contact Us Today for Your Free Case Evaluation
Don’t face the aftermath of a bicycle accident alone. Time is essential in protecting your legal rights—evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and Colorado’s statute of limitations creates strict deadlines. We offer a completely free, no-obligation case evaluation that can take place at our Denver office, your home or hospital room, or virtually via secure video conference.
During this consultation, we’ll discuss your accident circumstances, injuries, insurance coverage, and potential compensation. You’ll receive valuable legal insights without any financial risk or commitment.
Office Location:
Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC
2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201
Denver, CO 80205
Office Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Related Denver Personal Injury Services
Bicycle accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries. If your collision caused significant harm, you may also benefit from our related services:
Suffered a severe head injury in your crash? Our Denver brain injury attorneys specialize in traumatic brain injury cases and understand the long-term cognitive and financial impacts these injuries create.
Did your accident result in permanent disability or disfigurement? Explore our Denver catastrophic injury services, where we work with life care planners to calculate lifetime care costs and secure the compensation you need for ongoing treatment.
Was your bicycle accident caused by a commercial truck or delivery vehicle? Our Denver truck accident lawyers have specific experience handling corporate defendants and the complex liability issues these cases involve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Denver’s specific bicycle lane protection laws?
Denver Municipal Code § 54-475 prohibits vehicles from blocking or entering protected bike lanes except when making legal turns. Drivers who violate this ordinance—or Colorado’s three-foot passing law—can be held liable for resulting injuries. We use these violations to establish clear fault in your case.
Which Denver hospitals and medical providers do you work with for documentation?
We regularly coordinate with Denver Health Medical Center, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, National Jewish Health, and specialized orthopedic and neurology practices throughout the metro area to ensure your injuries are thoroughly documented and your treatment needs are met.
How does Colorado’s comparative negligence law affect my bicycle accident claim?
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout. Our detailed investigations and expert testimony counter these tactics effectively.