Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Colorado Bicycle Accident Statistics

Bicycle accidents in Colorado are a growing crisis. Twenty cyclists were killed in bicycle accidents in Colorado in 2023, representing a 33% increase from the previous year and marking one of the deadliest years for cyclists in the state. Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Colorado have increased 78% since 2015, while passenger vehicle deaths increased only 7% during that same period. When a bicycle accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver.

In Denver alone, there were 3,974 accidents involving bicyclists from January 2020 through April 2025, averaging 62 bicycle accidents per month or approximately 745 per year. Alcohol impairment, speeding, and distracted driving are consistently cited as leading causes of these crashes. Evening hours between 6 and 10 p.m. present the highest crash risk due to reduced visibility and heavy traffic.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Colorado

Bicycle accidents happen for many reasons, but the most common causes involve driver negligence. Understanding the cause of your accident is critical to building a strong personal injury claim:

• Dooring accidents: A driver or passenger opens their car door directly into the path of an oncoming cyclist. These accidents are particularly common in urban areas with street parking.

• Right-hook collisions: A motorist turns right at an intersection or driveway directly into the path of a cyclist traveling in the bike lane or along the right side of the road.

• Left-cross collisions: An oncoming vehicle turns left in front of a cyclist at an intersection, failing to yield the right of way.

• Rear-end collisions: A distracted or inattentive driver strikes a cyclist from behind, often at high speed. These accidents frequently cause the most severe injuries.

• Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield to cyclists at intersections, crosswalks, or when merging into bike lanes.

• Hit-and-run incidents: Tragically, many bicycle accidents in Colorado involve drivers who flee the scene. Hit-and-run collisions leave cyclists with severe injuries and additional legal challenges in identifying the responsible party.

Colorado Laws That Protect Cyclists

Colorado law provides specific protections for bicyclists. Understanding these laws is important for any bicycle accident claim:

Equal Rights on the Road (C.R.S. 42-4-1412)

Under Colorado law, a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle. Cyclists are required to ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of overtaking vehicles, unless conditions make it unsafe to do so. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

Vulnerable Road User Law (C.R.S. 42-4-1402.5)

Colorado enacted enhanced protections for cyclists through the Vulnerable Road User Law. A person who drives a motor vehicle in a careless manner and whose actions are the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user, including a cyclist, commits a class 1 traffic misdemeanor. Penalties include 12 points assessed against the driver's license, which results in license suspension for most Colorado drivers, and the court may order up to 320 hours of useful public service.

Three-Foot Passing Law

Colorado requires motorists to maintain a safe distance when overtaking a cyclist. Drivers must allow sufficient space between their vehicle and the bicycle to avoid contact. Violation of this law can be used as evidence of negligence in a bicycle accident claim.

Helmet Laws

Colorado does not have a statewide mandatory bicycle helmet law for adults or children. However, some local municipalities may have their own helmet requirements. While not wearing a helmet is not illegal statewide, it can be raised as a factor in comparative negligence arguments by insurance companies attempting to reduce your compensation.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Cyclists lack the protective shell that motor vehicle occupants have, making them extremely vulnerable to serious injuries when struck by a car or truck. Common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Concussions and severe brain injuries are among the most common and devastating injuries in bicycle accidents, even when a helmet is worn.

• Spinal cord injuries: The force of a collision can cause damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis.

• Broken bones and fractures: Collarbones, wrists, arms, ribs, hips, and legs are frequently broken in bicycle crashes. Some fractures require surgical repair and lengthy rehabilitation.

• Road rash and soft tissue injuries: Sliding across pavement causes severe abrasions that can lead to infection, scarring, and the need for skin grafts in serious cases.

• Internal organ damage: The blunt force of impact can cause internal bleeding and organ damage that may not be immediately apparent.

• Facial injuries and dental damage: Cyclists often suffer facial lacerations, jaw fractures, and broken teeth in crashes.

Insurance Coverage for Bicycle Accident Claims in Colorado

Navigating insurance after a bicycle accident in Colorado can be complex. Several types of coverage may apply to your claim:

At-Fault Driver's Liability Insurance

Colorado is a fault-based state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is responsible for your damages. Colorado requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage. However, these minimums are often insufficient to cover serious bicycle accident injuries involving hospitalization, surgery, or long-term rehabilitation.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

An important and often overlooked coverage for cyclists: your own auto insurance MedPay coverage can apply to bicycle accidents involving a motor vehicle, even though you were not in a car. Since 2009, all Colorado insurance carriers are required to offer a $5,000 MedPay policy, and it is included automatically unless you signed a rejection form. MedPay covers medical expenses regardless of fault and can be purchased in increments from $5,000 to $25,000.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)

If the driver who struck you does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your damages, your own UM/UIM coverage may apply. This is especially important in hit-and-run bicycle accidents where the driver is never identified. Like MedPay, your UM/UIM auto policy coverage can extend to bicycle accidents involving a motor vehicle.

Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim in Colorado

Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you are found 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame onto cyclists, arguing they were riding unsafely or failed to wear a helmet. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can counter these tactics and protect your right to full compensation.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Colorado is three years from the date of the accident. However, waiting to file can jeopardize your case as evidence is lost and witnesses' memories fade. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

1. Seek immediate medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, many bicycle accident injuries, including internal bleeding and concussions, may not be immediately apparent. A medical evaluation creates documentation critical to your claim.

2. Call the police: An official police report documents the accident scene, identifies the at-fault driver, and preserves key evidence for your claim.

3. Document the scene: If you are physically able, photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, your bicycle, your injuries, road conditions, and any traffic signs or signals. Collect contact information from witnesses.

4. Do not give a recorded statement to insurance: Insurance adjusters often contact accident victims quickly, hoping to obtain statements that can be used to minimize your claim. Speak with an attorney before providing any recorded statements.

5. Contact a bicycle accident attorney: An experienced attorney can preserve evidence, handle insurance communications, and build a strong case on your behalf. Anderson Hemmat offers a free personal injury case evaluation so you can understand your options at no cost.

Contact a Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Colorado, the personal injury attorneys at Anderson Hemmat are here to fight for your rights. Our firm has extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases and a proven track record of securing fair compensation for accident victims across the state. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact Anderson Hemmat today for a free consultation. Call (303) 782-9999 or fill out our online form to speak with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer.