Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Colorado Springs
For many, riding a motorcycle is one of the most exciting and exhilarating ways to get around. However, most motorcycle riders are well aware of the potential for an accident with another vehicle.
Many drivers fail to exercise proper care and caution when sharing the road with motorcycles. When drivers are distracted, fail to leave adequate space for the motorcycle, are careless, negligent or even intoxicated, they can cause a devastating crash.
Unfortunately, a motorcycle rider in an accident is at high risk of suffering severe, life-altering injuries. One reason: motorcycle riders and their passengers do not have the protections and safety features that occupants of other vehicles on the road have.
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages from the party responsible for your accident.
Contact Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer Jeffrey Scott Lasswell today. Schedule an initial case review to discuss the details of your accident. You will learn more about how Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, PC can help you secure the financial recovery you need and deserve following your accident.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
When you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs that was not your fault, you deserve to pursue a legal claim. That action will seek to hold those at fault for your accident accountable.
Experienced motorcycle accident attorney Jeffrey Scott Lasswell can help guide you through the motorcycle accident claim process and fight to get you the financial recovery you need.
Jeffrey Scott Lasswell is ready to take these steps on your behalf:
- Thoroughly investigate your accident, securing accident scene photos, the police accident report, eyewitness statements, or dashcam/surveillance footage
- Identify at-fault parties and potential sources of compensation, such as insurance coverage for at-fault driver and insurance coverage under your own policies
- Consult with expert witnesses to help develop a strong legal case. Those experts can show why your accident occurred and how the other party was at fault in the crash
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement that provides you with fair and full compensation
- Prepare to take your case to court, if necessary, by developing a strong, persuasive legal argument
- Advocate on your behalf at trial to the judge and jury to get a verdict and judgment that fully compensates you for your injuries and damages
Compensation after a Motorcycle Accident
Following your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered in your accident. These damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses to treat your injuries
- Long-term care costs if your injuries leave you with disabilities
- Lost wages if you miss time from work recovering from your injuries
- Lost earning capacity, if you cannot return to your old job or perform any sort of gainful employment
- Pain and suffering as a result of your injuries
- Lost quality of life
You may also be entitled to seek compensation for property damage, such as the damage to your motorcycle.
What to Do after a Motorcycle Accident
After you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, take these steps to help you protect your rights and options. They will put you in the best position to seek compensation for your injuries and damages:
- Call 911 or the police. If you have suffered apparent injuries or are in distress, call 911 to summon emergency medical assistance. Otherwise, call the police directly to report your accident. An officer will come to the scene to prepare a police accident report. You can use the report in your motorcycle accident claim.
- Get contact and insurance information from the other drivers. That information can be used when you make a claim for your injuries and damages.
- Document the accident scene. If possible, take photographs or a video of the accident scene. Include details such as damage to the vehicles involved, any skid marks on the road, the traffic controls or road lines at the scene, and the lighting, weather, road and traffic conditions at the time of the accident. Also document any visible injuries you have.
- Notify your insurance company of your accident. Even though you may not be at fault for the accident, you may still have to inform your insurance company of the event. You may be eligible for coverage under your own policy, such as Med Pay or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Follow up with your doctor or medical provider. You may have suffered injuries in your accident without even realizing it. A doctor or medical provider may be able to diagnose those injuries.
- Speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. An attorney can walk you through your rights and options following your accident. An attorney can begin the process of investigating your crash and securing evidence you will need for your legal claim.
Get Started with your CaseCall Us at (719) 635-1245
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders lack the protection of a vehicle body and the safety features of passenger vehicles, such as seat bels and airbag. That is one reason that riders tend to suffer far more catastrophic and life-threatening injuries in accidents.
Serious injuries from a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs include:
- Bone fractures, which commonly occur when a rider’s leg gets trapped under his or her bike as it falls over in the accident. Riders can also fracture arms and hands when they attempt to break a fall
- Internal injuries, including damage to internal organs and internal bleeding, can quickly turn into a life-threatening injury
- Amputations
- Head trauma, including skull and jaw fractures or eye injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries, which are more common among riders who fail to wear helmets
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Common causes of motorcycle crashes in Colorado Springs include:
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes, including failing to signal lane changes or failing to check mirrors and blind spots
- Opening car doors in the path of oncoming motorcycles
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Following too closely, or tailgating
- Unsafe left turns, including failing to signal or failing to yield to an oncoming motorcycle
- Lane splitting, or failing to give a motorcycle the full use of the lane of travel
- Defective parts
- Poor road conditions (for example, potholes or black ice)
- Low lighting
- Poor weather such as heavy precipitation or fog
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Motorcycle Accident
Why are motorcycle accident claims more complicated?
Motorcycle accident claims tend to be more complicated than your typical car accident case for several reasons.
For one, liability is often vigorously contested in motorcycle accident claims. Many people have negative perceptions and stereotypes of motorcycle riders. They view all motorcyclists as reckless motorists who speed and weave in and out of traffic. A driver who hits a motorcycle rider may argue that because he or she did not see the rider, the rider must have been driving illegally or recklessly.
Also, motorcycle accidents tend to result in serious, sometimes life-threatening injuries. A rider may take months of medical treatment to recover. The rider may find that the at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance to cover all of the rider’s damages.
Even if the driver has sufficient financial resources to compensate the injured rider, it can be difficult to calculate the rider’s total damages since treatment may be ongoing at the time of settlement negotiations or trial.
How do you prove fault in a motorcycle crash?
A motorcycle rider injured in a crash can use several pieces of evidence to prove fault for the accident. The evidence may include the police accident report (the investigating officer may have an opinion as to fault), dashcam footage or nearby surveillance video, eyewitness reports and accident scene photos or video. Accident reconstruction experts can use this evidence to prepare an accident reconstruction report. The expert will offer his or her professional judgment as to how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
What if the other driver is blaming me for the crash?
Unfortunately, many people perceive motorcycle riders as reckless outlaws who ride with little regard for traffic laws. A driver who hits a motorcycle rider may blame the rider for the crash.
The at-fault driver may argue the motorcycle rider was not seen because he or she was doing something illegal, careless or reckless. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road. Drivers often fail to observe them. In any event, even if you are found to be partially at fault for the crash, you may still be entitled to some compensation for your injuries and damages.
What should I say/not say to the insurance company after a motorcycle accident?
Ideally, you should refer any communications from the insurance company to your motorcycle accident attorney. The attorney can speak to the insurance company on your behalf and make sure your rights and interests are protected.
If you must speak to insurance company representatives, you should keep in mind that the insurance company may somehow use your statement to reduce the compensation they have to pay. They may also use your statement to deny your claim outright.
Communicate about the facts of the accident as you remember them. Do not assign blame or offer your opinion as to how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Let your attorney, the insurance companies or the courts decide that.
Avoid making any statements that could be construed as an apology. The insurance company may point to those statements as an admission of fault for the accident.
How long will my case take?
The length of time it can take to resolve a motorcycle accident case depends on several factors. Suppose the other driver is contesting liability or arguing that your bear some fault for the accident. It can take longer to resolve that case. You will need evidence that indisputably shows who was at fault for the accident. You may also need a trial where the court determines fault.
The amount of damages you have incurred can make resolving your case more difficult. Any compensation will need to cover your future damages, assuming you are still undergoing treatment. If liability is not an issue in your case and your damages are fixed, your case may be resolved within a few months. If it becomes necessary to go to court, it can take two to three years before you have a trial and reach a judgment.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
Most motorcycle accident lawyers who represent plaintiffs handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee arrangement, the injured plaintiff does not pay the attorney anything unless and until the attorney recovers compensation for the client.
The attorney will typically cover the costs of the case, such as court filing fees or hiring expert witnesses. If the attorney successfully recovers compensation, he or she will deduct his or her fee (usually a percentage of the total recovery) as well as any expenses. The balance of the settlement or judgment is paid to the client.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs that was not your fault? You deserve compensation for your injuries and damages from the at-fault driver that caused your crash.
Contact Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, PC today to schedule an initial case review. You can discuss your legal rights and options following your accident. You will learn more about how an experienced attorney can help you secure the financial recovery and justice that you need and deserve.