Lakewood Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Lakewood Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you ride your bicycle through the Denver area, it’s vital to know the risks you face when riding near motor vehicle traffic and what you can do after another driver has injured you in an accident. A Lakewood bicycle accident lawyer is an invaluable asset in the aftermath of a bicycle accident and can significantly improve your experience with your recovery efforts. The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the more likely you will be to recover as fully as possible.

Representing Bicycle Accident Victims in Lakewood, CO

Cheney Galluzzi & Howard regularly assists Lakewood-area clients with a wide range of personal injury cases, including those pertaining to bicycle accidents. We know how traumatic and damaging these accidents can be and that you likely have many important legal questions regarding your recovery. The sooner you connect with our team, the sooner you can get the answers you need in this difficult situation.

While it is technically possible for you to pursue compensation for your damages on your own in Lakewood, CO, you are more likely to succeed with your recovery efforts when you have legal counsel on your side. The right attorney can streamline the process of proving fault for your damages, uncovering all available avenues of compensation in your claim, and guide you through the proceedings necessary to recover your losses.

Ultimately, you have a limited time in which to pursue compensation for your damages after a bicycle accident. Failure to pursue your recovery within the applicable time limits could mean losing your ability to recover your damages. Our firm can help maximize your recovery in the shortest possible timeframe, resolving any complications you encounter along the way.

Proving Liability for a Bicycle Accident in Lakewood

Your first legal challenge in the aftermath of a bicycle accident will be proving fault for the incident. You must identify the party responsible for causing the crash and prove how they caused it. Most bicycle accidents reported in the Lakewood area are the result of negligence, a term that defines a failure to exercise reasonable care in a given situation. However, it is also possible for a bicycle accident to result from illegal misconduct.

Distracted driving, moving violations, and speeding are some of the most common forms of negligence that regularly cause accidents throughout the Lakewood area. When it comes to illegal misconduct, driving under the influence (DUI) is the most common example of this, and an at-fault driver will face criminal charges along with civil liability for the damages they caused.

Your Lakewood bicycle accident attorney can help gather evidence to prove liability, and once you identify the party responsible for your accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the damages they inflicted.

Recovering Compensation for a Bicycle Accident in Lakewood

Once you have identified the party or parties responsible for your bicycle accident and gathered the evidence needed to prove the full extent of the damages they caused, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your losses. This process will unfold similarly to what you could expect after any other motor vehicle accident.

You will file an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver followed by a personal injury claim if their insurance can’t fully compensate you for your losses. Every driver must have auto insurance that includes coverage for bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Filing an insurance claim can be challenging, but having the right attorney on your side will streamline this process, and you will be prepared to confront any disputes raised against your claim.

After recovering as much as you can through insurance, your Lakewood bicycle accident attorney can help build a personal injury suit against whoever caused your accident. Success with this civil claim can yield compensation for any damages that the defendant’s insurance can’t cover. Under Colorado’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for:

• Property damage not covered by insurance.
• Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical care, if the plaintiff needs extensive rehabilitative treatment. Many bicycle accidents result in traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, and other complex injuries that require extensive care. The defendant is liable for any medical expenses required for you to reach maximum medical improvement from your injury.
• Lost income. If your accident has left you unable to earn income for any period of time, the defendant is liable for these lost wages. You can also claim compensation for the value of paid time off or vacation time that you were forced to use after the accident.
• Lost future earning power. Some bicycle accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries that diminish their ability to work and earn income in the future. If this applies to your situation, you can seek compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.
• Pain and suffering. The plaintiff in a personal injury claim has the right to seek financial compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and other intangible losses they suffered because of a defendant’s actions. However, state law limits how much they may claim.

If the defendant caused your bicycle accident through any illegal misconduct such as DUI, they will not only face increased penalties in their criminal trial, but you could also receive punitive damages and/or restitution along with your other claimed damages. The amount you receive will typically depend on the defendant’s financial status and the discretion of the judge handling your case.

Ultimately, you could be entitled to claim far more compensation than you may have initially expected, and the right attorney is your most important asset when it comes to maximizing your recovery. While the average person may be able to calculate immediately recognizable damages, accurately assessing the full long-term damages a defendant caused will be far more difficult.

The attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard are ready to provide the comprehensive legal counsel you will need for all aspects of your recovery efforts. We can guide you through the insurance claim filing process and ensure you receive a fair settlement. If this does not yield full compensation for your damages, you can rely on our team to build a personal injury claim that aims for maximum recovery.

FAQs About Lakewood, CO Bicycle Accident Laws

Do Bicycles Have the Right-of-Way?

Bicyclists have the right-of-way when they are riding in a bike lane. On streets where bicyclists may take a lane and ride with the flow of traffic, they are expected to follow the same rules of the road as all other motorists, and nearby drivers should yield as they would to other drivers. If an accident occurs because of a right-of-way violation, traffic camera footage, and witness testimony are often essential for proving fault for these incidents.

Can a Bicyclist Be at Fault for an Accident?

Yes, it is possible for a bicyclist to cause an accident and incur liability for the resulting damages. Colorado is a modified comparative fault state, so when multiple drivers share liability for an accident, each liable party will have a percentage of total fault assigned to them. It’s possible for a plaintiff to bear partial fault and still recover compensation as long as they are less than 50% at fault.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Lakewood Bicycle Accident?

The party responsible for causing your recent bike accident is liable for all resulting damages. You can recover your losses through an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit, and the total amount you can claim depends on the extent and severity of the losses they inflicted. You may be able to recover full compensation for medical expenses, future medical treatment costs, lost wages, lost future earning potential, property damage, and pain and suffering.

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated?

While you can claim full repayment of all economic damages the defendant caused in your recent bicycle accident, state law limits how much pain and suffering compensation a plaintiff may claim in a personal injury suit. Most plaintiffs cannot recover more than $500,000 in pain and suffering compensation, but it is possible to have the cap waived at a judge’s discretion when a plaintiff has suffered life-changing injuries.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Lakewood, CO?

The attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard take personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee agreement, the client does not pay any upfront legal fees to their attorney, nor are they required to pay ongoing fees during their case. Instead, the client pays a percentage of their total case award to their attorney, but only if and when the attorney wins their case. If we cannot obtain a recovery for you, there is no fee.

The team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard has years of professional experience with all types of accident claims, including bicycle accident cases. We’re ready to provide the comprehensive support you need to approach your recovery efforts with confidence and peace of mind, and the sooner you reach out to our firm, the sooner we can begin helping you recover. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Lakewood bicycle accident attorney.