Despite making up a relatively small percentage of total vehicles on Colorado roads, motorcycle accidents have a much higher rate of serious injury and fatalities. A traffic collision involving a motorcycle being hit by a car can have devastating results. Regardless of the cause of the accident, you deserve fair treatment. If you are a Colorado motorcyclist, you may be surprised to find out that a motorcycle-related accident is often not treated the same as an accident involving only cars or trucks.
Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado
With all of the breathtaking scenery, Colorado can be an ideal place to enjoy a motorcycle ride. Unfortunately, due to the open and exposed nature of motorcycles, the risk of injury in a traffic accident is high. In fact, according to recent statistics from the Colorado Department of Transportation, motorcycle fatalities in the state have risen nearly 30% from 2012 to 2018. Clearly, being a biker comes with risks, requiring attention to safety when sharing the road with other vehicles. Here are some common causes of motorcycle-car collisions:
- A car changing lanes into the motorcyclist’s lane
- A motorcyclist lingering in a car’s blind spot
- A car making a left turn in front of a motorcyclist
- Distracted driving and other negligence
No matter the cause, when a car collides with a motorcycle, the results can be catastrophic, up to and including serious life-altering injuries and even death. If you suffer an injury, it impacts not only your physical health but potentially your ability to work as well. The insurance companies will fight to provide you with as little compensation as possible, and they have different ways they go about this.
What to Expect From Insurance Companies
Due to the perceived danger of motorcycles, there is often an unfortunate bias against motorcyclists in the event of an accident. Insurance companies seek to place a large amount of blame on the motorcyclist, simply because they have a preconceived idea that motorcycles are dangerous and lead to accidents. The insurance company may attempt to shortchange you by:
- Portraying the accident as the fault of the motorcyclist
- Treating even safe and experienced motorcyclists unfairly due to the reputation of reckless riders
- Trying to convince you that you don’t need an attorney in the aftermath of your accident
Don’t let them fool you—attempting to negotiate with the insurance company on your own is not a good idea. Having an experienced Colorado motorcycle accident attorney fighting for your case is the best decision you can make. Just like you need a skilled doctor to help you with the physical challenges you face after your accident, you should have a dedicated legal professional on your side to represent your case.
How an Attorney in Longmont and Boulder Can Help
After suffering an injury, the last thing you should have to worry about is getting fair treatment from the insurance company. Allow yourself to focus on your recovery and let a trained personal injury attorney fight your legal battles for you. The insurance companies have their own bag of tricks they can use to work their way out of paying you what’s fair. With the right attorney on your case, you can put yourself in a position to avoid this.
Ed Smith has been practicing law in the state of Colorado for decades, and he has seen more than his share of motorcycle accidents. Ed spent time working as an attorney on behalf of the insurance companies, so he knows everything an insurance adjuster will try to do to keep from paying you fair compensation for your motorcycle accident.
If you are a motorcyclist in the Longmont, Boulder, Loveland, Brighton, or Firestone areas of Colorado who have been injured as a result of being hit by a car, your best option is to speak with an accomplished motorcycle accident attorney. Call the Law Offices of Edward Smith today to schedule your free consultation.