With its natural beauty, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a haven for motorcyclists. Each day, many motorcycles take advantage of Colorado Springs’s scenery, easy access to the Rocky Mountains, and sunny weather. Unfortunately, with the large number of motorcyclists, Colorado Springs is plagued with serious motorcycle accidents.
When up against cars, SUVs, and 18-wheelers, motorcycles are at an obvious disadvantage. Even a fully geared rider can suffer from severe injuries. These serious accidents can completely implode the motorcyclists’ life. If the injuries are caused by the negligence of others, the motorcyclist deserves justice.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, seek the appropriate medical attention, and call the police. Once your emergent medical needs are tended to, the following steps should be completed:
General Accident Information
If you can stay at the scene of the accident or return a short time later, make sure you document the general information about the accident. The general information can include driver’s license numbers, addresses/phone numbers for others involved, insurance information of all involved, and other vehicles’ license plate numbers.
Scene of Accident
Obtain as much information on the scene of the accident as possible. Take photos of the road conditions, any damage caused by the accident, any skid marks, and all vehicles involved from as many angles as possible. Speak with witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information, and make notes about what the witnesses saw.
Call Insurance Company
The terms of your insurance require you to contact your insurance provider immediately. However, you are not obligated to give a recorded statement right away. It is wise to speak with an attorney prior to giving any statement.
The insurance companies of other drivers will begin to try and get a statement from you. They may also offer you an early settlement. Respectfully decline any settlement offer or providing any statement until you have had a chance to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. Colorado law sets the timeframe for the other driver’s insurance company to talk to you after an accident, but not all insurance companies abide by the laws designed to prevent you from being taken advantage of by them.
Get Non-Emergency Medical Attention
No matter how minor you think your injuries can be–or if you think you might not be injured at all–seek medical attention early after the accident. It may take several days or weeks for your injuries to be disruptive or unmanageable. Many injured Coloradoans hurt their cases because they wait to get medical attention. Follow all the doctor’s advice and continue with your medical care until told otherwise by your doctor. Remember that immediately following your accident, adrenaline can cover your injuries.
Document, Document, Document
Document how the accident has changed your life. Document any changes such as pain, loss of work, loss of income, daily tasks, and extracurricular activities. No matter how small or major you think the change in life is, document it. This documentation will be necessary to prove what your damages are and that they were caused by the accident. Following a car accident, damages come in many forms, and having the documentation to prove those damages will increase your chances of being compensated for them.
Common Causes of Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accidents
Over the years, our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyers addressed accidents caused by a variety of factors. Each type of cause has its own nuances and strategies.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has quickly become the primary cause of accidents. Drivers have a high number of distractions that vie for the driver’s attention; these include cell phones, eating, drinking, and interacting with other people. When sharing the road with a small, unprotected vehicle like a motorcycle, even the slightest distraction can result in serious injury.
Drunk/Drug Impaired Driving
Drunk and impaired driving cases are an unfortunate reality in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Whether it be alcohol or drugs, legal vs. illegal, impairment caused by a foreign substance usually creates clear liability for the impaired driver.
Road Conditions
Weather in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can be unpredictable with a wide range of temperatures and conditions. As such, road conditions in Colorado Springs are affected by the weather resulting in potholes, rain, snow, and other debris on the roadway. While larger vehicles may be able to avoid or withstand such conditions, motorcycles are far more sensitive which can result in an accident.
Speeding
Speeding continues to be one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. Being able to show and prove that the at-fault driver was speeding can be more of a challenge than one may imagine. Having a solid police investigation and accident reconstruction expert can help to prove who was at fault.
Improper Driving
Improper driving is a prominent cause of motorcycle accidents where at-fault drivers fail to see the motorcycle while making lane changes, turns, and other maneuvers. Drivers are expected to operate their vehicles as reasonable and prudent drivers; therefore, failing to see the motorcycle is not a viable defense when the prudent and reasonable driver would have acted differently.
Why Hire a Burnham Law Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Once a motorcyclist is injured, hiring a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer increases the chances of the injured getting maximum compensation. Recovering damages involves negotiating or suing large insurance companies. Hiring an experienced lawyer will help level the playing field. The negotiation and lawsuit process is complex and strategic. Insurance companies have an army of lawyers, investigators, and experts ready to be deployed, all with the goal of saving the insurance company money.
For maximum compensation, the injured must have access to the same tools. At Burnham Law, we use some of the state’s top investigators to gather information and evidence. Our investigators leave no stone unturned and discover evidence where the insurance companies do not. The facts gathered by our investigators give our injured clients an advantage over the insurance companies.
Some cases require the help of an expert. At Burnham Law, we have relationships with top experts that can provide expert opinions on a broad range of topics. Expert opinions can be used to recover a larger settlement and at trial to teach and convince a jury. At Burnham Law, we have used medical experts, accident reconstruction experts, and others to get our client’s top compensation.
When it comes time to negotiate against the insurance companies, Burnham Law will lead the battle. Negotiations can be a brutal process with long hours, intense questions, and sharp legal analysis. When it comes time to negotiate, the attorneys at Burnham Law prepare extensively for settlement negotiations by taking an individualized and strategic approach to each case.
When settlement fails, Burnham Law is the litigation team you want. We are seasoned trial attorneys who are comfortable both in a settlement negotiation and in front of a judge and jury. While many attorneys settle Colorado Springs motorcycle accident cases, few are actually experienced litigators. Our team of attorneys and staff understand that winning a trial takes hard work, long hours, and thorough preparation.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, Burnham Law would be proud to get you the recovery you deserve.