Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

More than $1.25 Million Recovered for an Injured Motorcyclist

Motorcyclists have less physical protection than occupants of enclosed vehicles, so a collision can cause severe injuries even when a rider uses protective equipment. At Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C., we represent injured riders and their families through the liability, insurance, medical, and property-damage issues that can follow a crash.

Our legal team has more than 150 years of combined experience representing individuals and families. Gary Craw recovered more than $1.25 million for a young man who suffered multiple fractures and a head injury in a motorcycle collision. That past result doesn’t predict the outcome of another claim, but it demonstrates our experience with the serious injuries these crashes can cause. Our firm was also ranked Tier 1 by Best Lawyers-US News Best Law Firms for 2017.

We provide personalized, client-centered counsel rather than treating clients like case numbers. Injured riders have direct access to our attorneys and paralegals, receive regular case updates, and can ask questions as the claim develops.

Injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs and unsure what to do next? Call Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C. today at (719) 625-3310 or contact us online to discuss your motorcycle accident case and understand your options.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado Springs

Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a wide range of factors, but they usually involve driver error, unsafe road conditions, or a defective component. Drivers are used to seeing other cars and large vehicles on the road, but they aren’t always as vigilant about looking for motorcyclists. We can evaluate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties, and address the insurance issues that follow a crash.

Common causes and collision patterns include:

• Failure to yield or making an unsafe left turn across a rider’s path
• Changing lanes without checking a blind spot
• Texting, talking on the phone, or other distracted driving
• Speeding, following too closely, or causing a rear-end impact
• Driving while impaired
• Opening a vehicle door into a rider’s path
• Defective motorcycle or vehicle components
• Inclement weather, debris, damaged pavement, or poor roadway conditions

Fault depends on the circumstances and available evidence. A motorcycle collision investigation may include police reports, witness accounts, photographs, video, vehicle damage, roadway conditions, medical records, and insurance information. We use that evidence to evaluate each party’s actions rather than accepting assumptions about how motorcyclists ride.

Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident can lead to ongoing treatment, time away from work, and adjustments to your day-to-day life. A claim may account for both the immediate costs and the longer-term effects of the collision.

Depending on your situation, compensation may include:

• Medical treatment: Emergency care, hospital visits, follow-up appointments, rehabilitation, and medication.
• Ongoing or future care: Continued treatment, therapy, assistive equipment, or long-term support.
• Lost income: Wages missed while you’re unable to work during recovery.
• Reduced earning capacity: Changes to your role, hours, or long-term ability to earn income.
• Physical pain: Ongoing discomfort or limitations caused by injuries such as road rash, fractures, or traumatic brain injury.
• Mental and emotional effects: Anxiety, trauma, or other effects tied to the collision.
• Lifestyle disruptions: Changes to your independence, hobbies, household responsibilities, or daily routine.
• Motorcycle and property damage: Repair or replacement costs for the motorcycle, helmet, riding gear, and other damaged property.

The full value of a claim depends on how serious the injuries are, how the accident happened, available insurance coverage, and how much the collision has changed your life. Medical records, employment documents, and evidence of future care can help establish both short-term losses and long-term effects.

Colorado’s Deadline for Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits

Colorado generally provides three years to bring specified actions arising from a motor-vehicle accident under C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)(I). The applicable deadline can vary based on the defendant, claim type, and circumstances, so riders shouldn’t rely on the general three-year period without obtaining advice about their specific case.

A separate and much shorter requirement may apply when a governmental entity is involved. The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act can require written notice within 182 days, including in some matters involving a public employee, public vehicle, or public roadway. An insurance policy’s notice requirement is also separate from the deadline for filing a lawsuit.

Building a well-supported claim takes time. Accident reports, medical records, scene evidence, insurance communications, and witness recollections can become harder to obtain as time passes. An early review can identify the applicable deadlines and the evidence that should be preserved.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Collision

First, move away from traffic if you can do so safely and call 911 when anyone is injured or the crash caused significant damage. Seek prompt medical attention, including when pain or other symptoms aren’t immediately obvious. Follow the treatment instructions you receive and retain the related medical records and bills.

After a collision on a Colorado Springs roadway such as I-25 or U.S. 24, police reports, emergency-response records, and photographs can become important sources of evidence. We can review those materials alongside witness statements, insurance information, and evidence from the vehicles.

When your condition and the scene allow, take these steps:

• Remain at the scene: Stay until authorities permit you to leave and avoid putting yourself in the path of traffic.
• Document the collision: Photograph or record the motorcycle, other vehicles, roadway, traffic controls, debris, weather, visible injuries, helmet, and riding gear.
• Exchange information: Obtain the other driver’s identifying and insurance details and collect witness contact information.
• Avoid admitting fault: Provide factual information without speculating about responsibility or the extent of your injuries.
• Preserve records: Keep medical documents, repair estimates, damaged equipment, wage information, and insurer correspondence.
• Use care with insurers: Consider obtaining legal guidance before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement.

Colorado Motorcycle Helmet & Eye-Protection Laws

Colorado requires motorcycle riders younger than 18 to wear a protective helmet. Riders who are 18 or older aren’t legally required to wear one, although the Colorado Department of Transportation encourages riders of every age to use a DOT-compliant helmet and protective gear.

Colorado also requires eye protection for motorcycle operators and passengers unless they’re wearing a helmet that provides eye protection. Goggles, safety glasses, or a helmet face shield may satisfy the requirement, but a motorcycle windshield alone doesn’t count as eye protection.

Helmet use and legal responsibility for a collision are different issues. An insurer may raise helmet use when disputing comparative negligence or the cause and extent of a head injury, but not wearing a helmet doesn’t automatically determine the outcome of a claim. The effect depends on the injuries, evidence, and applicable Colorado law.

How We Handle a Motorcycle Accident Case

We begin by reviewing how the collision occurred, what treatment the rider has received, and which insurance policies may apply. Our investigation can include crash reports, photographs, video, witness information, vehicle damage, roadway evidence, medical records, and communications with insurers. We also examine whether another driver, a vehicle owner, a component manufacturer, or another party may bear responsibility based on the facts.

Clients work one-on-one with our lawyers and paralegals and have access to their lawyer for questions and updates. Several of our attorneys are graduates of the Trial Lawyers College, and we prepare cases for courtroom presentation when litigation becomes necessary. We represent individuals and families, not insurance companies.

What to Expect During Your Free Consultation

During a free, no-obligation consultation, we listen to your account, review available evidence, and provide candid feedback about your legal options.

At our Colorado Springs office, we can review accident reports, medical records, photographs, insurance information, and communications with adjusters. We can discuss liability, treatment, property damage, filing deadlines, potential compensation, and whether further investigation is warranted. You can also ask questions about the legal process and what information we’ll need from you.

Our clients can expect:

• Individual case evaluation: We analyze the circumstances, available evidence, insurance issues, and potential paths forward.
• Clear communication: Our legal team provides regular updates and direct access when you have questions.
• El Paso County litigation experience: We’re familiar with proceedings at the El Paso County Judicial Building and can prepare a claim for negotiation or trial when necessary.

Every claim is different. Its timeline depends on the injuries, evidence, insurance issues, negotiations, and whether litigation becomes necessary. We explain those variables so you can make informed decisions consistent with your needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions