Anyone whose spent more than 5 minutes in Colorado knows that we probably have some of the best highways and byways for riding a Harley than anywhere else in the U.S. Motorcycle riding is a popular activity in our state, as evidenced by the wide array of special events held throughout the year.
While there isn’t anything quite like the freedom of the open road, it does come with some risks though – even if you’re wearing a helmet and being extra careful.
Take this example of a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs last September where 25-year old Kevin Marinec lost his life. Marinec was struck by a Chevrolet car that was attempting to turn left at an intersection. The driver, 27-year old Rebecca Bedoya, was charged with “careless driving resulting in a death.”
Left-turns like this incident are common in motorcycle accidents…often times, the other driver will not see the motorcyclist coming, even though they ultimately have the right of way.
Other situations that commonly lead to motorcycle accidents include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Left & right turns
- Rear-end collisions
- Speeding
- Broadside collisions
Studies show that motorcyclists are 34 times more likely to die in a crash than a passenger in a regular car. Other statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that motorcycle accidents occur mostly at night, and that nearly half of all motorcyclists who died were speeding.
If you’re a motorcyclist and are involved in an accident caused by someone else, you’ll also run into issues and bias with the insurance company, and even the police. Witnesses too often have a bias against motorcycle riders…
Of course, riders do have a responsibility to protect themselves, be it through helmets or good lighting and gear that makes the rider visible to other drivers on the road.
However, other drivers have a responsibility to motorcyclists to keep a safe distance and treat a motorcycle just like any other vehicle on the road.
Even if a motorcyclist is partially (…less than 51%) at-fault for the accident, they can still file a claim for injuries and damages.
If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important you discuss your case with an experienced, qualified Denver motorcycle accident lawyer today.
R. Mack Babcock and associates at the Babcock Law Firm possess extensive experience with the inner-workings of insurance companies, especially when it comes to an accident of this nature…schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.
Our Denver-based firm represents motorcycle riders from across Colorado – including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Aurora, Littleton, Durango and more.
