Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Denver

Common causes of bicycle accidents in Denver typically involve a motor vehicle on a busy roadway, but there are other contributing factors, too. Because bicycles offer very little in the form of protection, a bicycle crash often results in serious injuries, which can mean weeks or months of missed work, piles of medical bills, and other life-changing consequences.

Cyclists who are injured in an accident that is someone else’s fault deserve compensation, and a bicycle collision attorney could help. Find out more about typical cycling accidents, and then contact us to get your legal questions answered.

Bicycle Accidents Involving Motor Vehicles

Understanding the common types of bicycle accidents involving cars, trucks, and other vehicles on the road can help Denver cyclists take the necessary precautions to prevent a collision. These include:

  • Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to bicyclists at an intersection
  • Distracted drivers failing to see a bicyclist and colliding with them on the road
  • Drivers speeding and not having enough time to react to the presence of a bike
  • Drivers or passengers in a parked car opening their door into the direct path of a bicyclist
  • Bicyclists riding on the road with motor vehicles instead of in a designated bike lane
  • Drivers making a right turn in front of a bicyclist, causing the bicyclist to collide with the side of the car
  • Bicyclists riding at night without reflective clothing, making themselves hard to see by passing motorists

Although cycling can be a great way to get around, providing exercise as well as saving natural resources, it does have risks. A bicyclist should always wear protective headgear in case of an accident.

Bicycle Accidents Not Involving Motor Vehicles

Even when a motor vehicle was not the cause of the crash, bicycle accidents in Denver could still result in severe injuries. Here are some examples:

  • Two cyclists collide with each other
  • A pedestrian steps into the path of a bicyclist
  • The bicycle has a defective part that results in a crash
  • A dog or other animal attacks a cyclist, causing them to fall
  • Poor weather causes dangerous conditions, leading to a wreck
  • The road or bike path is poorly maintained, increasing the likelihood of an accident
  • A bike path is blocked, causing the cyclist to hit whatever is in the way or veer into traffic
  • A cyclist hits an object in their path, such as a large tree branch or a tipped-over garbage can

An injured cyclist should always seek medical attention first. Then, consider talking to an attorney about legal options.

Common Places Where Bicycle Accidents Occur

An accident can happen anywhere, even in a bicyclist’s own driveway. However, there are some places where bike accidents in Denver occur more frequently. Some of the most dangerous places for bicyclists are in intersections with heavy traffic, including four-way stops. Any highway or road that has a lot of motor vehicle traffic is a high-risk area for cyclists.

It is also important to note that bike accidents occur more frequently in roadways where bikes and cars share a lane. This is why it is safer to use a bike lane, if there is one available.

Construction zones are another common place for bicycle accidents, as they can cause confusion and narrower lanes.

Talk to a Denver Lawyer About Common Causes of Bike Accidents

Whether your bicycle accident occurred in a busy intersection or on a bike path, you do not need to deal with the aftermath alone. An attorney from Arckey & Steele, Attorneys at Law, could assist with the legal aspects of your case, pursuing compensation for damages.

To talk more about the common causes of bicycle accidents in Denver, or to get started on a civil lawsuit, schedule a consultation. We are here to help.