Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Denver, CO
Compare Top Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | CO Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to CO Bar | Law School Attended | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Albano | Active | 2006 | University of Denver Sturm College of Law | |
| Alana M. Anzalone | Active | 2013 | Pennsylvania State University The Dickinson School of Law | |
| Danielle Beem | Active | 2012 | University of Colorado Law School | |
| Nicole Greene | Active | 2020 | Baylor University School of Law | |
| Marlo Greer | Active | 2001 | University of Denver Sturm College of Law | |
| Edward Lomena | Active | 2013 | Hofstra University | |
| Sara T. McEahern | Active | 2015 | University of Washington School of Law | |
| Andrew J. Phillips | Active | 2008 | University of Colorado Law School | |
| Jeremy Rosenthal | Active | 2003 | University of Denver Sturm College of Law | |
| Kurt Zaner | Active | 2009 | University of Florida Levin College of Law |
Other Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Denver, CO
You must have legal grounds to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Denver. This could mean you believe another driver or manufacturer caused the accident due to negligence, such as speeding or using faulty parts. A skilled attorney can help determine if compensation is due and from who.
It can also help to familiarize yourself with the local motorcycle laws discussed below to better understand what you’re up against when filing a lawsuit.
Denver, CO Statute of Limitations
While most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the incident, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit and insurance claim in Denver. But the sooner you file, the faster you can receive your settlement and pay your medical bills.
Even if this is a minor collision and you don’t have any visible injuries, it is still important to visit a doctor who can fully examine you and provide proper documentation. This documentation will help verify your claim later if you seek to collect damages later.
Denver, CO Motorcycle Laws
In Denver, motorcyclists must obey the same laws as vehicle and truck drivers. You must also meet the same liability insurance requirements or face license suspension and up to $1,000 in fines.
Other state traffic laws apply uniquely to motorcyclists:
- Helmets: Drivers and passengers over 18 are not legally required to wear helmets.
- Eye protection: Motorcyclists and passengers must wear eye protection but have their choice between glasses, goggles or helmet visors. Windshields are not acceptable.
- Passengers: There are no age restrictions on motorcycle passengers, but all passengers must ride behind the driver and in a designated seat with footrests.
- Passing: Motorcyclists cannot pass cars or other motorcycles in a single lane.
- Lane sharing: Motorcyclists can ride two abreast in a single lane but cannot share a lane with another full-size vehicle.
- Turn signals: Colorado law does not require motorcycles to be equipped with turn signals, but each bike must have at least one mirror and a working headlight at night.
To earn a Colorado motorcycle license, drivers must be at least 16 years old and pass a written and practical exam. However, drivers over 18 can take a motorcycle operator skills training (MOST) course to add a motorcycle endorsement to their licenses.
Identifying Fault for a Motorcycle Crash
Colorado is a tort state, so you can legally seek damages from the at-fault driver and their insurance company if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident. However, Denver motorcycle accidents follow comparative negligence law, and you can only collect up to the percentage of fault caused by the other driver.
For example, you may be found 10% responsible for a collision where you failed to signal before making a legal turn and were rear-ended by a speeding driver. In this case, you would only be able to collect up to 90% of your damages.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help You?
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Denver understands comparative negligence and can help prove if there was a breach of duty that led to your injuries. They also understand the wide range of compensation you are entitled to beyond physical injuries and property damage.
Many of the best motorcycle accident lawyers in Denver help their clients collect special damages, including lost wages, pain and suffering and others you may not immediately realize in the aftershock of a motorcycle crash.
How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO
Everyone knows to look at success rate and trial experience for a good attorney, but the best motorcycle accident lawyers in Denver also dedicate the time to personally get to know you and your case.
Pay attention to the following when looking for a lawyer in Denver to find the best motorcycle accident attorney near you:
- Reviews: What do their clients say about them? Are the reviews mostly positive?
- Communication skills: A good lawyer will proactively reach out to you with updates and explain any confusing legal jargon regarding your case.
- Settlement negotiation: When insurance companies offer low-ball settlements, a good attorney will anticipate this and be prepared to counter and negotiate on your behalf.
Methodology
To come up with the best motorcycle accident lawyers in Denver, CO, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & Honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is responsible for most motorcycle accidents?
Other drivers are the biggest motorcycle crash risk because they don’t see and fail to yield to motorcyclists. It’s always important to make sure the headlights are working on your bike, install additional reflectors and wear reflective gear to help other drivers see you on the road.
How many motorcycle accidents end in fatalities?
Motorcycle accident statistics vary by state, with Colorado having the second-highest rate with 23% of motorcycle collisions ending in fatalities.
What is the most common motorcycle accident injury?
The most common injuries in a motorcycle accident are road rash and broken bones, usually legs and feet. Fatal accidents commonly include brain and spinal injuries.
