Colorado is the perfect place for bikers to travel. The state has hundreds of bike paths and trails, mountains and roadways for everyone to enjoy, whether you are a professional biker, a commuter, or just out for a fun ride.
To accommodate all of the bikers who flock to the state, Colorado has established laws that protect bikers in the event of a collision with a car or other vehicle. If you are biking in Colorado for any reason, you should be aware of your rights and options following a bicycle accident.
Anyone who has been in a bike accident has the right to request that law enforcement officials investigate what happened. To start this process, you should report your accident, which will prompt officials to investigate and create an official record.
If you don’t report your accident, this could have a negative impact on your ability to file a personal injury claim later or recover damages from your insurance company or the other person’s. In addition to reporting your accident, you should make sure to exchange insurance and contact information with the other person involved.
One of the most important pieces of evidence in an accident investigation is eyewitness testimony. If someone else saw the accident or was in the area when you were hit, you should see if they are willing to share what they saw. Ask for their names, phone numbers and addresses, so you can include this information in your report. The police may be able to use their testimony in their investigation and it could prove invaluable if you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Document everything. Even if you do not have a lot of physical evidence after a collision, you should take pictures and detailed notes of everything you can remember. Photograph bruises, road rashes, injuries, broken skin or broken bones, scratches and anything else that shows an injury.
You should also be sure to snap photos of any damages to the bike, your helmet or the clothing you were wearing. Before you leave the scene of the accident, you should take a picture of any skid marks and the position of your bike after the crash. All of these details will help recreate the scene and will help demonstrate any negligence or blame that should be placed in a personal injury case.
In a bike accident, the biker is usually the one left with more serious injuries to himself, as well as the bike. Even in a minor collision, the injuries that result could be long-lasting and turn into more serious complications over time. It’s important to be aware of what you should do first, second and third and understand how these steps will help you recover damages.
At Levine Law, we represent anyone who has been injured in a bike accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence or unsafe actions. If you have been injured in a bike accident, contact a Denver personal injury lawyer immediately for a consultation.
