Denver Bicycle Accident Attorney

How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Colorado?

The amount of time you have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Colorado is governed by the state's statute of limitations. This is a strict legal deadline, and missing it can permanently bar you from seeking compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.

For most bicycle accidents that involve a motor vehicle (such as a car or truck), you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado civil court. However, if your injury did not involve a motor vehicle, a shorter two-year deadline may apply. For example, you may be subject to the two-year time limit if the crash was caused by a defective bicycle component or an unsafe hazard on private property.

The specific facts of your case dictate the exact deadline. Because the legal timeline is complex and exceptions exist, you cannot afford to guess. Furthermore, while the statute of limitations provides a deadline, waiting until the last minute drastically hurts your case. 

You should reach out to our team at Justice Now Injury Lawyers as quickly as possible after a bicycle accident for several important reasons:

• We can secure and preserve key evidence. Critical evidence like skid marks, accident scene debris, traffic camera footage, and witness memories can vanish fast. When you hire us right away, we can immediately launch an aggressive investigation to document and secure this evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Any delay can give the defense a huge advantage.
• We can protect you from the insurance company. The at-fault party's insurance company will likely immediately start working to minimize its payout. Adjusters may contact you quickly and pressure you into giving a recorded statement or signing a release. We can stop these aggressive tactics and handle all communications for you so that we can protect your right to full compensation.
• We can document your injuries and damages. A strong claim requires thorough medical documentation. We can work with you and your medical team to build an accurate record of your injuries, treatment, and future financial needs (like lost wages and long-term care). Starting this process early helps us accurately calculate the maximum value of your claim.
• We can meet all deadlines. Accident cases can involve multiple complex deadlines, but we can manage this entire process so that you can focus on getting better.  

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Bicycle Accident Case?

A bicycle accident claim allows you to take legal action against the negligent party who caused your injuries and seek compensation for damages. These damages typically fall into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover the specific, calculable financial losses you sustain because of the accident.These are the tangible costs that are documented by bills, receipts, and wage statements.

The types of economic damages we can help you recover include:

• Medical expenses. This covers all costs related to treating your injuries, from the immediate emergency room visit and surgery to ongoing physical therapy, medications, and future medical care needed as a result of the crash.
• Lost wages and income. This includes the income you have already lost due to missing work during recovery. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or limit your future earning potential, this category also covers loss of future earning capacity.
• Property damage. This includes the cost to repair or replace your damaged bicycle, helmet, gear, and other personal property lost in the accident.

Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, subjective, and personal losses you experience due to your injuries. These are harder to quantify but are often a significant component of your recovery. Note that Colorado places caps on non-economic damages, but we always work to maximize your recovery within the limits of the law. 

Our bicycle accident attorney can fight to secure all non-economic damages, which frequently include:

• Pain and suffering. You can receive compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, treatment, and recovery process.
• Emotional distress. This covers psychological harm like anxiety, fear, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from the trauma of the accident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life. This addresses the limitations your injuries impose on your daily life, such as the inability to participate in hobbies, sports, or other recreational activities you enjoyed before the crash.

Punitive damages are only rarely awarded in cases involving especially egregious conduct. They are designed to punish the defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future. We may pursue them in cases involving extreme drunk driving or instances where a driver deliberately hits a cyclist.

If you recently suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident, put a trial-tested attorney on your side. Call (720) 802-1466 or contact us online to schedule a time to discuss your legal options.