Another tragic accident recently claimed the life of a cyclist in Denver and left two drivers facing criminal charges.
54-year-old Michael Ramos was struck by two separate vehicles in early March at the intersection of West Kentucky Avenue and Morrison Road, 9 News reports. The drivers of both of those cars left the scene of the accident, Denver police told the local news outlet.
One of the drivers – 45-year-old Gregory Gomez – later turned himself in after police issued an alert for the vehicles, according to The Denver Channel. He was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
The other – an unidentified juvenile – was tracked down by cops and also arrested. He was cited for a number of violations, including failure to report an accident, careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a valid license, and driving without proof of insurance.
The tragic accident is all too common in Denver, where bicycles are an increasingly popular form of transportation. Riders are at particular risk of serious injury and death when crashes happen because there is little to physically protect them from oncoming vehicles.
More than 13,700 bicycle accidents involving cars were reported statewide over the last 10 years, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Cyclists were not at fault in about 59% of those cases, KUNC found in an analysis of the data.
Legal Rights for the Family of Cyclists Killed in Crashes
The accident is yet another reminder of the risk that comes with traveling by two wheels, even for the most cautious and experienced cyclists.
When a person dies in a bicycle accident in Colorado, his or her loved ones have the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That often means suing for wrongful death, a legal claim that holds people and entities responsible when their negligence has fatal consequences.
Although there is no amount of money that can replace a loved one, compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses and the loss of the person’s financial and personal support can help ease some of the monetary burdens that come with losing a family member.
Speak with a Denver Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle, car or other accident in Colorado, a Denver car accident attorney at Levine Law can help you get the full compensation available.
Our attorneys combine decades of experience helping people injured in accidents get the money they deserve by fighting for them in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. We have dedicated our careers to helping our neighbors in the community get back on their feet after an accident.
Our firm is pleased to serve clients throughout Colorado, including in Denver, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins, and Loveland. Call us at 303-333-8000 or contact us online to speak with a Denver injury attorney.
