Member of the Colorado Bar Association since 2014. Attorney, Christopher M. Nicolaysen focuses primarily on helping those injured in Colorado car accidents, other auto accidents, and Colorado personal injury incidents.
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and attorneys at Springs Law Group and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced Colorado personal injury lawyer, Christopher Nicolaysen, you can do so here.
Springs Law Group does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.
A Colorado bicycle accident lawyer from Springs Law Group helps injured cyclists recover compensation after serious crashes involving motor vehicles.
With more Coloradans cycling for commuting, recreation, and fitness, bicycle accidents are increasingly common, and often result in life-altering injuries.
Springs Law Group stands with injured cyclists and their families, fighting to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the financial recovery they deserve.
Colorado’s active biking culture contributes to both the joys and risks of life on two wheels.
When a bicycle accident case involves a collision with a motor vehicle, the result is often a serious bike accident that leaves riders facing long-term consequences.
Bicycle accident victims commonly suffer spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious injuries that require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Between medical bills, time off work, and emotional trauma, the impact can be devastating for victims and their families.
Bicycle riders have the same rights as drivers under Colorado traffic laws, but that doesn’t stop negligent drivers from causing preventable crashes.
Distracted driving, failure to yield, and speeding are among the top causes of crashes that lead to bicyclist fatalities or wrongful death.
Many victims struggle to deal with insurance companies who often try to minimize payouts or shift blame to the injured cyclist.
An experienced attorney can step in to protect your rights, investigate the accident, and demand fair compensation from the at-fault driver and other responsible parties.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident due to a negligent driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
Springs Law Group can help you hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a bicycle accident claim instantly.
Many bicycle accidents in Colorado are caused by negligent drivers who fail to share the road or observe traffic laws.
When a motorist drifts into a bike lane or fails to yield, it can result in a devastating vehicle collision.
Distracted driving, speeding, and ignoring bike path crossings frequently contribute to serious injuries or fatalities.
Colorado cyclists are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure and lack of protection compared to motor vehicles.
Even when riding responsibly, cyclists can be hit by a car due to the driver’s inattention or recklessness.
Common causes of bicycle accidents in Colorado:
Many of these crashes occur in areas where bikes and cars must coexist, such as urban streets, shared lanes, or intersections with unclear markings.
Despite the protections afforded to cyclists under Colorado traffic laws, enforcement is often inconsistent, and negligence can go unpunished without legal action.
In many cases, the driver involved will claim they didn’t see the bicyclist, a common but unacceptable excuse.
This makes thorough evidence collection and witness testimony critical in proving liability.
For cyclists injured in car accidents, holding the responsible party accountable is often the only way to obtain the financial recovery needed for medical care and long-term support.
Bicycle crashes in Colorado often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection afforded to cyclists during collisions.
When a person is hit by a car or thrown from their bike, the force of impact can cause long-term physical trauma and significant financial burdens.
Riders suffering injuries in these crashes often face long recoveries, multiple surgeries, or even permanent disabilities.
Because many bike crashes happen at intersections or in areas where cars fail to yield, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Some injuries may require emergency surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing medical intervention for months or years. Serious crashes can also result in emotional trauma and decreased quality of life.
Common injuries in Colorado bike crashes:
These injuries can dramatically change the course of a cyclist’s life, particularly when they result in reduced mobility or permanent impairment.
Many victims need to take extended time off work or can no longer perform the same job duties as before.
In the most serious cases, victims may require lifelong medical care and assistance with daily activities.
Prompt medical care and legal representation are critical for pursuing financial compensation and holding the negligent party accountable.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help injury victims document their losses and build a strong case for recovery.
Colorado law treats bicycle operators much like motorists.
Under C.R.S. § 42‑4‑1412, cyclists have “all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle,” making them protected under the same traffic laws.
This framework enables injured cyclists (when hit by a motor vehicle) to pursue personal injury claims and seek full and fair compensation for their damages.
Whether you’re suffering from medical bills, lost income, or long-term disability, Colorado’s personal injury laws offer a clear path to recovery.
Most personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents, hinge on proving fault and demonstrating damages against the at-fault driver or other negligent parties.
That means timely seek medical attention is not just vital for your health, it also strengthens your legal claim by creating documentation.
Because bicycle fatalities are tragically rising, swift legal action allows families and victims to secure accountability and financial recovery.
An experienced attorney can help interpret traffic laws, insurance negotiations, and litigation to protect your rights.
Steps in the legal process for a bicycle accident case:
In bicycle accident cases, Colorado law provides a structured path to justice.
With proper evidence and legal assistance, injury victims can hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
In Colorado, bicycles are granted the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles under C.R.S. § 42‑4‑1412, meaning cyclists must obey traffic laws just like drivers do.
Colorado also enforces the “Three Foot Rule” (C.R.S. § 42‑4‑1002), requiring vehicles to leave at least three feet of clearance when passing cyclists, violations may result in traffic infractions.
Riders are required to stay as close to the right-hand edge of the road as practicable, with reasonable exceptions such as turning, avoiding hazards, or allowing safe passing.
While Colorado has no statewide helmet law for adult cyclists, helmet use is widely recommended for safety, and local jurisdictions may enforce helmet requirements for minors.
Other laws that cyclists and drivers should know:
These statutes form the legal backbone for cycling safety in Colorado.
Knowing these laws is essential not only for staying safe, but also for understanding your rights if a bike crash occurs.
After a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle driver, gathering the right evidence is essential to support your injury claim and pursue maximum compensation.
Cyclists in Colorado are legally required to obey traffic laws, and proving you did so (while the driver did not) can significantly strengthen your case.
The moments after the crash, especially when police arrive, are key to documenting the facts and preserving critical details.
If you ride bicycles regularly and were injured in a collision, having a clear record of what happened will help your attorney build a compelling argument.
Important evidence may include:
Thorough evidence collection shows that the motor vehicle driver acted negligently and that you suffered measurable harm as a result.
Your attorney can help gather, organize, and present this evidence to maximize your chances of success.
The more detailed and immediate your documentation, the stronger your case.
Bicycle accident victims often suffer a wide range of losses (both immediate and long-term) due to the severity of their injuries and the vulnerability of cyclists in traffic.
These losses go far beyond bicycle repairs or a single hospital bill; victims may face months or years of recovery, suffering emotional distress, and lost income.
In Colorado, accident victims have the right to pursue just compensation from the negligent driver or other liable party to help rebuild their lives.
Compensation can cover tangible financial losses as well as intangible, but very real, emotional and physical suffering.
Damages in bicycle accident cases may include:
Securing compensation in bicycle accident cases often requires thorough documentation and expert testimony to fully reflect the extent of a cyclist’s suffering and financial loss.
Colorado traffic accident laws allow injured parties to recover damages through personal injury claims or lawsuits when the at-fault driver is proven negligent.
An experienced attorney will work to identify all potential sources of compensation, from insurance policies to litigation awards.
Victims and their families should not bear the burden of these costs alone.
Whether you were injured in a Denver bike accident or elsewhere in Colorado, Springs Law Group is here to help you hold negligent drivers accountable.
Our attorneys understand the challenges cyclists face and how violations of bicycle laws can quickly lead to tragedy.
With the rise in traffic fatalities involving cyclists, legal action can serve both to protect your rights and to encourage safer roads for everyone.
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a bicycle accident, reach out to our team today to explore your options for recovery and justice.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a bike accident claim instantly.
Meeting with a lawyer for the first time can feel overwhelming, but arriving prepared can help the attorney better evaluate your case and provide more immediate guidance.
Bringing thorough documentation also helps establish a timeline and determine liability and potential damages.
Here are important items to bring to your first consultation:
Even if you don’t have all these items yet, gathering what you can will give your bicycle accident lawyer a strong starting point to evaluate your case.
Yes, you can still pursue a claim even if you weren’t wearing a helmet when the accident occurred.
While wearing a helmet is a recommended safety measure, the absence of one does not automatically eliminate your right to seek compensation.
Colorado follows a comparative fault system, which means that your compensation could be reduced if it’s determined that not wearing a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries, but it won’t bar your claim altogether.
An experienced bicycle accident attorney can evaluate your case and help you understand how helmet use may or may not impact your claim.
If you’re contacted by an insurance adjuster after a bicycle accident, proceed with caution.
Their goal is often to minimize the payout, and anything you say may be used against you.
It’s best to speak with a lawyer before making any formal statements or accepting a settlement offer.
Here’s how to handle the situation:
Speaking with a lawyer before engaging with insurance companies puts you in a stronger position to recover fair compensation.
Yes, you may still have legal options even if the driver responsible for your bicycle accident fled the scene.
In hit-and-run cases, you can often pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage, if applicable.
Colorado law requires auto insurers to offer this coverage, and it can apply to bicycle accident victims as well.
An attorney can investigate the crash, help identify other sources of recovery, and guide you through the claims process when the liable party is unknown.
While the legal process for a bicycle accident injury claim is generally the same regardless of location in Colorado, the facts of the case can differ significantly depending on whether the crash occurred on a rural road or in an urban setting like Denver.
Denver bicycle accident attorneys often handle cases involving heavy traffic, multiple vehicles, or road conditions influenced by city infrastructure, traffic signals, and pedestrian activity.
Rural crashes, on the other hand, may involve higher vehicle speeds, limited visibility, or poor road maintenance, which can introduce additional factors related to liability and evidence collection.
In either setting, a Colorado or Denver bicycle accident lawyer can help determine the liable parties, assess the damages, and guide victims through the civil process.
Ultimately, the legal standards remain consistent under Colorado law, but the case strategy, available evidence, and insurance considerations may vary based on the location and circumstances of the incident.
Partner
Attorney, Christopher M. Nicolaysen focuses primarily on helping those injured in car accidents due to no fault of their own.
The personal injury matters include auto accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and trucking accidents.
Chris truly enjoys helping clients through a difficult time and helping them get the compensation they deserve.
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I was uneasy about reaching out to a law firm after being in an accident that left me injured and my vehicle totaled. I don’t care for the idea of suing for what was very clearly an accident. However, after learning more about the overall process of working with a professional team to navigate the murky waters of the insurance world, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the experience wasn’t as gross as I’d originally felt about it.
Springs Law is very friendly and professional. I always felt that they were on my side and cared about my injury and what I was going through. I highly recommend them.
Springs Law Group is an amazing group to work with! I got into a rough accident, and they never ceased to let me know they were there working hard to help me in my hour of need. It was always very easy to reach out to someone if I had any questions, and they were always happy to answer any questions I had.
I never have a problem with getting a response when I need them – which is not the case with most other firms. They really truly care about each client. As a plus, they always have positive attitudes, which matters tremendously when you are in a stressful legal situation.
Big thanks to Mr. Jake Kimbell and his team for their assistance with my case. He helped me through an incredibly challenging part of my life, and most importantly helped navigate through the convoluted legal channels of my case. I cannot thank him and his team enough for their support.
The entire team at Springs Law group has been nothing but amazing. Jake and the rest of the staff were great to work with and extremely professional. They were very attentive and answered any questions and concerns I had. I was always able to contact them and they were very responsive and communicated with me.
Springs Law Group is an amazing group to work with! I got into a rough accident, and they never ceased to let me know they were there working hard to help me in my hour of need. It was always very easy to reach out to someone if I had any questions, and they were always happy to answer any questions I had.
