Cruising down scenic roads on your motorcycle creates a feeling of pure freedom. But that feeling instantly vanishes when you’re involved in a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic, life-changing injuries. If you suffered injuries in a Boulder motorcycle accident, don’t lose hope. A Boulder motorcycle accident lawyer is your advocate and can help you understand the legal process and recover the compensation you deserve.
Motorcyclists Face Unique Risks and Biases
Motorcycle riders are some of the most vulnerable people on the road. Without the protection of a steel frame, airbags, or advanced vehicle safety systems, motorcyclists often suffer far more serious injuries than those in cars or trucks. However, regardless of the facts, riders are frequently blamed when crashes happen.
Insurance companies may assume you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or acting recklessly simply because you were on a bike. These assumptions can unfairly reduce or deny your compensation. That is why it is critical to have a legal advocate who understands how to challenge these narratives and protect your right to recover.
Motorcycle claims are not just smaller versions of car accident cases. They require unique strategies, deep knowledge of motorcycle dynamics, and a willingness to fight back against bias.
Why Legal Representation Matters
The immediate and long-term aftermath of a motorcycle accident is overwhelming without a personal injury attorney in Boulder to help you. Many motorcycle victims are left reeling from physical and emotional trauma, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. A Boulder motorcycle accident attorney helps take the legal burden off your shoulders and guides you through the complex legal system. A lawyer assists in numerous ways, including:
- Investigating the accident. Your lawyer meticulously investigates your accident, gathers evidence, and determines the cause. Actions involve interviewing witnesses, obtaining police reports, and analyzing traffic camera footage. A thorough investigation is crucial for building a solid case.
- Handling insurance companies. Insurance companies notoriously deny or undervalue claims. Your lawyer handles all communication with the insurance company, ensuring you receive fair treatment and get the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiating a settlement. Your lawyer negotiates aggressively to obtain a fair settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Preparing for trial. If the parties cannot settle, your lawyer prepares your case for trial, presenting compelling evidence to help you get a just judgment in court.
A Boulder motorcycle collision lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery while your attorney fights to protect your rights and the best possible outcome.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Boulder
Most motorcycle crashes are caused not by reckless riders but by inattentive or negligent drivers. Some of the most common scenarios we see in Boulder include:
- Left-turn accidents, when a driver turns across a motorcyclist’s path;
- Unsafe lane changes, where a car merges into a rider’s lane without seeing them;
- Distracted driving, including texting or using navigation apps behind the wheel;
- Tailgating or rear-end collisions, especially in stop-and-go traffic;
- Failure to yield, at intersections or stop signs; and
- Poor road conditions, including potholes, loose gravel, and uneven surfaces.
These accidents often occur because drivers do not see motorcycles or fail to look for them. A skilled Boulder motorcycle accident attorney will work to prove that the crash resulted from driver negligence, not rider error.
Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Establishing fault in a motorcycle accident is about more than just telling your side of the story. It requires concrete evidence, a clear legal strategy, and an understanding of how to present the case in a way that counters bias.
At The Ferrell Law Firm, PLLC, we conduct thorough investigations that may include:
- Reviewing police reports and traffic citations,
- Interviewing witnesses,
- Obtaining and analyzing dashcam or surveillance footage,
- Working with accident reconstruction experts,
- Reviewing vehicle damage and road conditions, and
- Documenting injuries with the help of medical professionals.
We build a narrative based on facts, not assumptions, so we can hold the at-fault driver accountable and pursue the full value of your claim.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic because riders lack the protective shell of a car, making them highly vulnerable in a collision. The following are some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents:
- Head injuries. Head injuries are a leading cause of death and disability after motorcycle accidents. While helmets significantly reduce the risk of head trauma, severe head injuries can still occur, with injuries ranging from concussions to brain bleeds and long-term cognitive problems.
- Treatment. Treatment for head injuries varies depending on their severity. Many of these injuries may require hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
- Recovery time. The recovery time for head injuries ranges from weeks to months or even years and can cause permanent impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis and other permanent impairments. The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and extent of damage to the spinal cord.
- Treatment. There is no cure for spinal cord injuries, but treatment helps manage symptoms and improve a victim’s quality of life. Treatments often include surgical intervention, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication, and pain management.
- Recovery time. Recovery from a spinal cord injury is an ongoing process. While some victims regain some function, others experience permanent paralysis.
- Road rash. Friction from a motorcycle accident causes severe road rash, a painful and debilitating skin injury. The severity depends on the crash’s speed, the surface you landed on, and the amount of skin exposed.
- Treatment. Treatment for road rash varies and may involve cleaning the wound, removing dead tissue, taking antibiotics or pain medication, and receiving skin grafts.
- Recovery time. Minor road rash may heal in a few weeks, while severe road rash can take months and may leave permanent scarring.
- Bone fractures. Broken bones commonly occur in motorcycle accidents and range from minor fractures to complex breaks requiring surgery.
- Treatment. Treatment for bone fractures depends on the type and severity of the break and may involve casting, splinting, surgery, and physical therapy.
- Recovery time. The healing time for bone fractures varies depending on the type and severity of the break.
- Soft tissue injuries. Motorcycle accidents cause muscle strains, ligament tears, and other soft tissue injuries, which can create pain and limitations for weeks or even months.
- Treatment. Treatment for soft tissue injuries typically involves rest, ice, compression, and medication.
- Recovery time. The recovery time for soft tissue injuries varies depending on the severity of the injury. Many soft tissue injuries heal within a few weeks or months, but some can take longer.
Your Boulder motorcycle accident attorney carefully reviews medical records and doctor’s evaluations to assess the severity of your injuries and how they have impacted your life.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Understanding the different types of motorcycle accidents can help you determine how your accident occurred and the potential parties who may be liable. Here are some common types of motorcycle accidents:
- Head-on collisions. Head-on collisions occur when a motorcycle collides with the front of another vehicle. These types of accidents are some of the most severe motorcycle accidents, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.
- Left-turn accidents. These accidents happen when a car turning left collides with a motorcycle traveling straight through an intersection. They frequently result from a driver’s negligence, such as failing to yield the right of way.
- Lane splitting accidents. Lane splitting, also known as filtering, is riding a motorcycle between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic. While previously illegal in Colorado, the laws recently changed to allow lane splitting in certain situations.
Determining the cause of your collision leads directly to the party directly responsible for your injuries. Investigating the cause of your accident is one of the first steps your motorcycle collision lawyer in CO takes in your case.
The Role of Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning that the damages awarded in a personal injury case are apportioned based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. For example, if a court determines you to be 20% at fault for the accident, your total compensatory award is reduced by 20%. However, if the plaintiff’s fault is 50% or greater, they will likely be barred from any recovery.
A Boulder motorcycle accident lawyer investigates the cause of your accident and gathers evidence to demonstrate that the other party was primarily at fault. This evidence includes witness statements, police reports, accident scene photos, and expert testimony. A skilled lawyer can help you recover significant compensation even if you are partially at fault.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
After a motorcycle crash, the other driver’s insurance company may reach out quickly with a settlement offer. While resolving things quickly may seem like a good idea, these early offers are rarely fair and often leave victims without the resources they need to recover fully.
Insurers may claim:
- You were speeding or riding recklessly,
- You broke other Colorado motorcycle laws,
- Your injuries are not as serious as you say,
- You were partially or fully at fault for the accident, or
- Your medical treatment was unnecessary or excessive.
An experienced Boulder motorcycle accident attorney knows how to counter these tactics. We take over communication with the insurance company so you are not pressured, misled, or underpaid.
What Can I Recover?
A motorcycle accident leaves you facing a mountain of medical bills, lost wages, and a diminished ability to earn a living.
Economic damages compensate you for these tangible financial losses. A Boulder motorcycle accident lawyer ensures you receive the full compensation you deserve. Economic damages include the following:
- Medical expenses—the costs associated with treating your injuries and include emergency room visits, hospitalization, doctor’s fees, surgery, medication, and physical therapy;
- Lost wages—income you lost out on because you could not work due to your injuries; and
- Loss of earning capacity—awarded in cases where a victim’s injuries permanently impact their ability to earn a living and support their family.
A motorcycle collision lawyer in CO analyzes your lost wages and diminished earning capacity to get you the economic damages you and your family need to move forward.
Noneconomic damages compensate you for the intangible losses experienced after your accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering—losses resulting from the physical and emotional pain from injuries;
- Mental anguish—damages resulting in significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD;
- Loss of consortium—the loss of companionship, love, and intimacy due to your injuries. It can affect your relationship with your spouse or family members; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life—loss of being able to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Noneconomic damages are subjective, but a skilled lawyer presents evidence demonstrating your injuries’ significant impact on your life.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Boulder
Taking the proper steps after an accident can help protect your health and claim. If you are able, here is what to do after a crash:
- Call 911. Report the accident and request emergency assistance.
- Seek medical attention. Get checked out even if you do not feel seriously injured.
- Gather evidence. Take photos of the scene, your bike, and any injuries.
- Get witness information. If anyone saw the crash, get their name and contact info.
- Avoid giving statements to insurers. Do not give the other party’s insurance company a recorded statement without speaking with a lawyer first.
- Call a lawyer early. The sooner your attorney can investigate, the better your chances of preserving valuable evidence.
When you hire The Ferrell Law Firm, PLLC, we investigate and gather the information needed to build a strong case.
Finding the Right Boulder Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right attorney is critical to maximizing your recovery. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a lawyer:
- Experience. Look for a lawyer with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases.
- Track record. Inquire about the lawyer’s track record of success in obtaining fair compensation for injured motorcycle riders.
- Resources. A qualified lawyer should have the resources necessary to investigate your accident thoroughly and build a strong case.
- Communication. Choose a lawyer who responds to your questions and concerns and keeps you informed throughout the legal process.
- Consultation. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. Use these free consultations to discuss your case with a potential lawyer and determine if they are a good fit for you.
Referrals from friends, co-workers, and family may also be helpful in finding the best lawyer for you.
Contact a Boulder Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
At The Ferrell Law Firm, we understand you have many choices when hiring an attorney. Understandably, you may wonder why you should hire us to represent you in your personal injury case. We have an extensive track record representing victims in personal injury cases and obtaining favorable outcomes.
We work tirelessly and aggressively in your best interest while being available to answer any questions and concerns you may have.
We keep you informed throughout the process of your case so you feel in control. Let us help you today. Contact our office by phone or email to get a free consultation and learn more about the legal team at The Ferrell Law Firm.