Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
An accident involving a bicycle can alter your life in seconds. One moment you are riding through Denver on your normal route. The next, you are dealing with serious injuries, overwhelming medical expenses, and uncertainty about what comes next. When a negligent driver, rideshare vehicle, or dangerous road condition is responsible, you should not have to carry that burden alone.
Bicycle accident claims are often more complicated than standard car accident cases. Collisions involving cyclists can involve multiple at-fault parties, including distracted drivers, rideshare companies, delivery vehicles, the City of Denver (for road defects), and insurers. Our Denver bicycle accident attorneys have decades of experience handling complex bike crash cases.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Quick Answer
Do I need a lawyer after a bicycle accident in Denver?
Yes — and time matters. Insurance companies work immediately to minimize your claim, often blaming the cyclist even when the driver was at fault. You need an attorney who moves just as fast. Frenkel & Frenkel investigates the crash, preserves video footage and witness statements, identifies every liable party, and handles the insurance companies — so you can focus on recovering. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call (720) 807-3985 — Free Consultation"*" indicates required fields
Bicycle accidents are far more complex than typical car crashes. The injuries tend to be catastrophically severe because cyclists have no protective barrier between them and the impact. A 4,000-pound vehicle striking a cyclist often results in traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and life-altering disabilities that standard fender-benders rarely produce.
These cases involve layers of traffic law and cyclist protections. Under C.R.S. sec. 42-4-1412, Colorado treats bicycles as vehicles, granting cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motorists — including the right to use the full lane when necessary. Motorists are required to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. When a driver violates these rules — whether through distracted driving, failure to yield, or dooring — it can be strong evidence of negligence. Furthermore, multiple parties may share fault: drivers, rideshare companies, or the City of Denver (for dangerous road design).
Your safety comes first. If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 right away. Do not try to move if you have a serious injury, especially if you hit your head. Wait for emergency responders to arrive.
If you are able, move to a safe area away from traffic. Call the police and make sure an official accident report is filed. This report can be critical evidence for your claim.
Take photos of your bicycle, the vehicle that hit you, the accident scene, road conditions, bike lane markings, traffic signals, any visible injuries, and the driver’s license plate and insurance card. Exchange insurance and contact information with the driver, but do not discuss who was at fault or apologize. Get the names and numbers of any witnesses. If nearby businesses have security cameras, note their locations—that footage may be crucial.
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries, like concussions, internal bleeding, or traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Cyclists are especially vulnerable to head injuries even when wearing a helmet.
Then contact a bicycle accident attorney. Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly. Video footage is often deleted within days, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies immediately begin building a defense to blame the cyclist. An attorney can act fast to preserve key evidence like surveillance video, driver phone records, and witness statements.
Under Colorado law, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a bicycle accident personal injury lawsuit. (C.R.S. sec. 13-80-101(1)(n) — motor vehicle exception) If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to seek compensation.
If the accident involves a government entity — such as a City of Denver vehicle or a dangerous road condition maintained by the city — you must file a written Notice of Claim within 182 days of discovering your injury under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA, C.R.S. sec. 24-10-109). For Denver claims, notice is filed with the City Attorney’s Office, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 1108, Denver, CO 80202, or via the City’s online claim form. Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely.
The Driver: Liable for distracted driving, failure to yield, or dooring. Drivers who cause serious injury or death to a cyclist may also face enhanced penalties under Colorado’s Vulnerable Road User (VRU) statute.
Rideshare Companies: If the driver was working for Uber or Lyft, the company may be held responsible.
The City of Denver: Liable for road defects, poor signage, or defective bike lane design. Claims against the City require a 182-day CGIA notice (C.R.S. sec. 24-10-109).
Vehicle
Manufacturers/Property Owners: Responsible for equipment defects or property safety compliance (e.g., in dooring incidents).
Quick Answer
What evidence can be lost if I wait to hire a bicycle accident attorney?
Waiting even a few weeks after a bicycle accident can cost you critical evidence:
Colorado gives you 2 years to file — but the evidence window is much shorter. Contact us today.
Don't Wait — Call (720) 807-3985
Our attorneys have spent decades fighting for people hurt in bicycle accidents. We have the knowledge and resources to take on even the most complex cases involving cyclist rights and catastrophic injuries.
Our founding attorneys used to defend insurance companies. Now, they use that inside knowledge to fight for injured cyclists like you. We know the tactics insurers use to blame cyclists and minimize payouts, and we know how to counter them.
We have recovered over $1 Billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients. For 16 straight years, our attorneys have been named among the Best Lawyers in Denver.
These results reflect outcomes in specific cases and should not be used to predict what may happen in your case.
Settlement - Catastrophic Injury Case
Verdict - Commercial Vehicle Collision
Settlement - Trucking Accident Case
Settlement - Serious Motor Vehicle Wreck
Cyclists are 29 times more likely to die per mile traveled compared to car occupants. (National statistic — applies to Colorado riders.)
Distracted Driving
Drivers who text, talk on the phone, or adjust their GPS often fail to see cyclists. Even a few seconds of distraction can result in a devastating crash. When a driver’s attention leaves the road, cyclists pay the price.
Failure to Yield
Many drivers do not give cyclists the right-of-way at intersections or when making turns. Colorado law requires drivers to yield to bicycles in bike lanes and crossings. Ignoring these rules can result in serious collisions.
Dooring
When someone opens a parked car door into a bike lane without looking, cyclists have nowhere to go. These crashes often happen suddenly and can throw a rider into traffic. Both drivers and passengers have a duty to check for cyclists before opening doors.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and poorly designed bike lanes can cause crashes. The City of Denver has a responsibility to maintain safe roads for all users. When they fail to do so, they may be held liable.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Drivers who speed or tailgate cyclists create dangerous situations. High speeds reduce reaction time and increase the force of impact. Aggressive maneuvers like passing too closely can force cyclists off the road.
Impaired Driving
Drunk or drugged drivers pose a deadly threat to everyone on the road, especially vulnerable cyclists. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment. When they cause a crash, they can face both criminal charges and civil liability.
A right hook occurs when a vehicle turns right across a cyclist's path, cutting them off at an intersection or driveway. A left cross happens when an oncoming driver turns left in front of a cyclist who has the right-of-way. These are among the most common and dangerous types of bicycle crashes in Denver.
A dooring crash happens when someone opens a parked car door directly into a cyclist's path without looking. The cyclist often has no time to react and may be thrown into moving traffic. Both the driver and passenger have a legal duty to check for cyclists before opening doors.
Distracted or inattentive drivers may fail to see a cyclist ahead and strike them from behind. These crashes often happen at high speeds and can cause catastrophic injuries including spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. Cyclists have no protection from the impact.
Sideswipes occur when a vehicle passes too closely to a cyclist or drifts into a bike lane. Colorado law requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing. Failure to maintain safe distance can knock a cyclist to the ground or into traffic.
Some drivers flee the scene after hitting a cyclist, leaving the victim without help. Hit-and-run crashes are criminal offenses in Colorado. We work with law enforcement to identify the driver and pursue all available insurance coverage, including uninsured motorist policies.
Many bicycle accidents happen at intersections when drivers run red lights, fail to yield, or don't see cyclists in crosswalks. Busy Denver intersections near downtown, Uptown, and Deep Ellum see frequent cyclist crashes. Drivers must yield to cyclists who have the right-of-way.
Colorado follows a "modified comparative negligence" rule (also called proportionate responsibility). This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto cyclists to reduce payouts, claiming the cyclist was not wearing bright clothing, didn't have lights, or violated traffic rules. Having an experienced attorney is critical to counter these tactics and protect your right to fair compensation.
Multiple parties may share responsibility for a bicycle accident. The driver who hit you can be held liable for distracted driving, failure to yield, speeding, or violating traffic laws. If the driver was working for a rideshare company (Uber, Lyft, Alto) or delivery service (DoorDash, Amazon, UPS), that company may also be liable. The City of Denver can be held responsible for dangerous road conditions, defective bike lane design, poor signage, or failing to maintain safe infrastructure. Vehicle manufacturers may be liable if a defect like faulty brakes caused the crash. Property owners can be responsible for dooring incidents. Our attorneys investigate every angle to identify all liable parties, which can open up multiple insurance policies and increase your total compensation.
Colorado law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations (Colorado Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003). If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to seek compensation. There are limited exceptions—if the victim is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18. If your accident involved a government-owned vehicle or dangerous road conditions caused by the City of Denver, you may need to file a notice of claim within six months. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. Critical evidence like security camera footage is often deleted within days or weeks, witnesses forget details, and road conditions change.
Colorado follows a proportionate responsibility rule, also called the 51% bar. You can recover compensation for your damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation
Bicycle accidents are far more complex than typical car crashes. The injuries tend to be catastrophically severe because cyclists have no protective barrier—no airbags, seat belts, or metal frame. A 4,000-pound vehicle striking a cyclist often results in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and life-altering disabilities. These cases involve specific cyclist protections under Colorado Transportation Code and Denver municipal bike lane ordinances that don't apply to car accidents. Multiple parties may be liable, including drivers, rideshare companies, delivery services, or the City of Denver for road defects. Insurance companies aggressively try to blame cyclists to minimize payouts. Critical evidence like security camera footage disappears within days. The legal landscape is different, the injuries are more severe, and the defense tactics are more aggressive—which is why having an attorney with bicycle accident experience matters.
No. Do not provide a statement to the other party's insurance company without consulting an attorney. Their goal is to diminish or deny your claim.
You may be entitled to economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). Punitive damages may apply in cases of gross negligence. (C.R.S. sec. 13-21-102)
Critical evidence in bicycle accident cases includes security camera footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras (often deleted within 7-30 days), photos of the accident scene showing road conditions, bike lane markings, traffic signals, and sight lines, damage to your bicycle and the vehicle, your injuries, the police accident report, witness statements, driver phone records (to prove distracted driving), medical records documenting your injuries and treatment, your damaged clothing and helmet, and documentation of any traffic violations by the driver. Our attorneys also work with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze skid marks, impact points, and vehicle damage to prove how the crash happened. We move quickly to preserve this evidence before it disappears—waiting even a few weeks can cost you critical proof you need to win your case.
Most bicycle accident lawyers, including Frenkel & Frenkel, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. The lawyer's fee is a percentage of the total compensation recovered for you. If you do not win your case, you do not owe attorney fees. Your first consultation is free, with no pressure and no obligation.
The most common causes include distracted driving (texting, phone use, adjusting GPS), failure to yield at intersections or when making turns, dooring (opening a car door into a bike lane without looking), speeding and aggressive driving, passing too closely (Colorado law requires 3 feet of clearance), impaired driving (drunk or drugged drivers), running red lights or stop signs, unsafe lane changes and sideswipes, poor road conditions (potholes, debris, uneven pavement, defective bike lanes), inadequate lighting or visibility, and right hook/left cross collisions where drivers turn across a cyclist's path. Many crashes happen during rush hour on busy Denver roads near downtown, Uptown, and Deep Ellum. Drivers often claim they "didn't see" the cyclist, but this is not a valid legal defense—drivers have a duty to watch for all road users, including bicycles.
Yes, Colorado follows a 'modified comparative negligence' rule (50% bar) under C.R.S. sec. 13-21-111. You can recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of blame. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you may not recover anything.
There is no statewide helmet mandate for adult cyclists in Colorado. However, helmet use is required for riders and passengers under 18 on Class 3 electric bicycles. Regardless of the law, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended and may be relevant to your claim if not wearing one contributed to your injuries.
