Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle operators must respect the rules of the road, just like drivers of cars and other vehicles, and those drivers must follow the laws regarding cyclists.

Here are some of the most important laws concerning bicycles in Denver:

• Riding on roads and streets — Cyclists have all the rights and duties of other drivers, with some exceptions. That means that they must ride with the flow of traffic. If the right-hand lane is wide
• enough to share with other vehicles, the cyclist must ride far enough to the right to give overtaking motorists room to pass.
• Cars overtaking a bike — A car overtaking a bike on the road must pass on the left and allow at least three feet between the right side of the car and the bicycle.
• No “skitching” — Cyclists may not hold on to or otherwise attach themselves to a motor vehicle on the road.
• Don’t ride on the handlebars — Bicycles may not be used to carry more people than they are designed for.
• Reflectors and lights — All bikes must have a white headlight and a red rear reflector, and the light must be switched on at night.
• Colorado Safety Stop — At a stop sign, a cyclist must slow down and, if required for safety, stop before proceeding through the intersection. After slowing and yielding, they may make a turn or move into the intersection. Denver allows this, but some county or local governments may have laws requiring a full stop. It’s important to note that this rule only applies to stop signs, not traffic lights.

The use of helmets is strongly encouraged. Wearing a helmet can lower the risk of a head injury by up to 85 percent. To learn more or for support with a claim, call our Denver bicycle accident attorneys today.

There are several common accident scenarios that cyclists should be aware of:

• Stop signs — In Colorado, cyclists are not always required to stop at stop signs, which can lead to collisions if either party misjudges speed or distance. Our team can investigate liability by analyzing traffic laws, intersection visibility, and driver behavior to build a strong claim for injured cyclists.
• Left cross — These incidents occur when a driver turns left across an intersection and hits an oncoming cyclist they did not see. We gather evidence from traffic cameras, witness statements, and impact points to prove driver negligence in left-turn crashes.
• Right hook — A right hook happens when a driver turns right without noticing a cyclist, cutting them off or striking them directly. Our team helps cyclists pursue claims by showing how the driver failed to yield or signal properly before turning.
• Sideswipe — Drivers sometimes crowd or drift into bike lanes, sideswiping cyclists instead of giving the legally required three feet of space. We document road conditions and driver actions to demonstrate unsafe passing and hold motorists accountable.
• Rear-end collision — Impatient or distracted drivers may hit cyclists from behind, especially when traffic slows or stops suddenly. Our attorneys can prove driver inattention or excessive speed by analyzing accident reports and vehicle damage patterns.

Due to the risks that cyclists face, it is essential to always practice proper safety measures to minimize the impact of a sudden collision.