When you are riding your motorcycle on I-25 or I-70 at rush hour and the roads are packed with traffic, your life can change in an instant when you are involved in a motorcycle accident. A simple ride to work on your motorcycle can quickly turn into expensive medical bills, pain, suffering, lost wages, and legal disputes with insurance companies. This is where an experienced personal injury attorney, like Arckey & Steele in Denver, CO, can help you reach a settlement with insurance companies and receive the compensation you deserve. We are not looking for a quick settlement, we are here to help you build a bulletproof case and achieve a positive outcome.
Results for Denver Motorcycle Accident Injury Victims
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident and you search online for a personal injury attorney, you will find many law firms that are “settlement mills” and only interested in quick resolutions — not your best interests. Arckey & Steele is a boutique personal injury law firm in Denver, CO that has years of experience winning personal injury cases.
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Navigating Motorcycle Accident Claims in Denver, CO
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident and the accident is due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages — or financial compensation for your losses. Your case may include the pursuit of economic damages and non-economic damages that account for long-term disability or emotional distress. This page and Arckey & Steele as a law firm will serve as valuable legal resources for Denver-area motorcyclists involved in an accident.
There are many personal injury law firms in Colorado and across the country that are “settlement mills” that prioritize the quick resolution of cases without achieving the best outcome for you. The Arckey & Steele legal team prioritizes a quality outcome over a fast resolution, and we will put all of our experience, knowledge, skill, and legal resources to work for you to achieve a positive result and provide you with the support and compassion you need in the legal process.
Representation for Motor Vehicle Accidents in Colorado
Types of Denver Motorcycle Accident Claims We Handle
We provide Denver-area motorcyclists with personalized legal strategies for the specific types of accidents they are involved in on Colorado roads.
Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
The most common type of motorcycle accident is a left-turn collision. When you are riding your motorcycle on South Broadway or Speer Boulevard and a vehicle turns left in front of you, it can result in a serious accident and personal injury. Motorcyclists involved in a left-turn collision may have grounds for a personal injury case, and we will help you analyze the evidence and navigate the legal process of your case while you recover.
Lane Changing Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous because they can be difficult to see in traffic and many accidents occur when motorcycles are changing lanes. While lane splitting is illegal in Colorado, Senate Bill 24-079 has made lane filtering legal, which allows motorcycles to pass on the left of stopped vehicles traveling the same direction in traffic. The limited visibility of motorcycles in traffic, higher speeds, and legalized lane filtering can lead to dangerous riding conditions and accidents for riders — and a personal injury attorney can help you win your motorcycle accident case in Denver.
Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents
Traffic can be tight in Denver and stop-and-go traffic where drivers lose focus can lead to many different types of accidents for motorcycle riders — like rear-end accidents. Vehicles can follow too close in traffic and abrupt stops by motorcycle riders can lead to rear-end collisions and personal injury to vulnerable riders. Arckey & Steele is here to help you collect and analyze the evidence you need to get financial compensation for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
Loss of Control Motorcycle Accidents
Many motorcycle accidents are due in part to a simple loss of control on a powerful machine — but those accidents are not always the fault of the rider. When inattentive drivers on the road fail to check blind spots, change lanes quickly, or fail to yield to motorcyclists, it can force riders to take quick, decisive evasive action. This can lead to a loss of control and a dangerous accident with injury to the rider. A personal injury attorney will help establish negligence and help motorcycle riders get the compensation they deserve.
Critical Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Denver
Legal action starts the moment a crash occurs and insurance companies are searching for ways to devalue any legal claim you may have. What you do in the moments after you are involved in a motorcycle accident, will create a chain of evidence in your personal injury case, protect your legal rights, and ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries.
1Prioritize Safety and Medical Care
When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident as a motorcycle rider, your health and safety needs to be priority number one. Move to safety on the side of the road if you are able, contact first responders, and wait for help. Do not remove your helmet unless it has a negative impact on your breathing, you may have a neck or back injury. You may even feel ok after an accident — but with adrenaline pumping, you may still have severe injuries that you are unaware of — wait for first responders and do not refuse medical attention at the scene.
2Report the Accident and Document the Scene
It is a legal requirement in Colorado to report any accident that involves an injury or major property damage — and it starts with a police report. When you have reported the accident to the police and your insurance provider, you need to use your phone to document the scene if you are able. This includes taking photos of motorcycles and vehicles involved in the accident, skid marks on the road, traffic signs, debris on the road, and weather conditions. Make sure to get eyewitness contacts if possible to support any later claims.
3Get Evaluated by a Medical Professional
Adrenaline plays a role in any accident, and even if you feel ok at the moment, it is important that you seek medical help and are evaluated by a medical professional for injuries that could impact you hours or days after the accident. If there are gaps in your medical treatment, insurance companies may try to deny your claim. A medical evaluation immediately after the accident will not only make sure that you are healthy, it will create a paper trail that links your medical condition or injury to the accident.
4Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney
When you are involved in an accident, you will likely receive a phone call from insurance adjusters within days, and while this may sound helpful, it is a tactic that can be used to get a recorded statement that can be used against you in a personal injury case. Do not provide insurance companies or adjusters with any kind of statement or sign any documents without the help and advice of a personal injury attorney.
Maximize your recovery
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Denver
How much damage has been done to your motorcycle? How much are your medical bills? How much is your pain and suffering worth in terms of financial compensation? When you are involved in a motorcycle accident and the other party is at fault, your compensation is calculated by totaling economic damages and multiplying those damages by a factor that can range from 1.5x to 5x that is tied to non-economic damages. A personal injury attorney, like Arckey & Steele, can help ensure you receive maximum compensation in your case.
Economic DamagesMedical bills and other expenses add up when you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. These expenses, emergency room costs, future medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages if you miss time at work are considered economic damages in a personal injury case. In scenarios where you have suffered a major or catastrophic injury, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney to calculate lost earning capacity for a long-term injury.
Non-Economic DamagesEven after your initial injuries have healed, you may still endure daily pain and suffering. You may battle and be diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder connected to the accident, or you may not get the same joy you used to get from riding your motorcycle. These aspects related to your motorcycle accident are considered non-economic damages and are an important factor in the total compensation for your personal injury case. Non-economic damages are capped by Colorado law (C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5).
Factors That Affect Claim ValueThere are many factors involved in a personal injury case that impact the level of compensation you will receive. The first to note is — Modified Comparative Negligence in Colorado. This law states that if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident, you are not eligible for compensation, and if you are less than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Helmets are required by law for riders under 18 in Colorado — but even if it is legal for you to not wear a helmet, it can impact the outcome and compensation of your case.
Schedule a Free Case Strategy Session
Ready to Get the Insurance Companies Off Your Back?
Insurance companies and adjusters will attempt to dictate the terms and compensation of your claim. Do not let them. Enlist the help of an experienced, trial-ready personal injury attorney in Denver, CO that will help you secure your financial future.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Colorado?
There is a time limit and statute of limitations for you to file a legal claim when you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Colorado. Colorado Law (C.R.S. § 13-80-101) states that individuals involved in a motorcycle or motor vehicle accident where there was significant property damage or injury must file a legal claim within three years of the incident. When a government entity is involved in the accident, the Notice of Claim must be filed within 182 days.
There are additional factors that will impact the timeline of your personal injury case. If the accident has contributed to the wrongful death of a family member, the general statute of limitations is two years — which extends to three years if it is a motor vehicle accident. Hit-and-run motorcycle accidents that involve a criminal act have an extended statute of limitations of four years. When a minor is involved in a motorcycle accident, the legal clock does not start running until they turn 18.
Our Process
What to Expect When Starting a Motorcycle Accident Claim with Us
No two personal injury cases are the same — yet most follow the same general procedure and it is important for you to have a basic understanding of the legal process. Here is a quick look at the legal process for motorcycle accidents in Denver, CO.
1Analysis of the Accident
When you come to us at Arckey & Steele with a potential case, the first thing we will do is a thorough investigation and analysis of the events that led to your accident. We will examine police reports, witness statements, and other evidence related to your case to help us establish a legal strategy.
2File a Legal Claim
When we have examined all of the documentation and evidence of your case, we will establish liability and damages in the case prior to filing a legal claim. We will send the proper legal documents for your case to the responsible party and their insurance provider and we will communicate any initial demands for a settlement.
3Negotiate a Settlement
In many personal injury cases, the case can be resolved via negotiation after we have a complete understanding of your case, your injuries, the effect of your injuries on your day-to-day life, and the potential damages involved. We will use our knowledge and experience to negotiate full compensation for your case.
4Litigation When Needed
When negotiations break down, your claim may need to go to the Colorado Court System. If your case needs to go to litigation, Arckey & Steele will be there to protect your legal rights and help you reach an acceptable agreement in your case. We will do everything we can to prepare for all possible scenarios in court.
Critical Selection Factors
Choosing a Denver Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
It can be a challenge to find the right personal injury attorney in Denver, CO. Many personal injury law firms are “settlement mills” only focused on quick resolutions — not your best interests. When you are negotiating with insurance companies and adjusters who want to minimize your trauma and ensure you receive minimal compensation, it is critical that you find an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case. The law firm you choose will determine fault in your case and help you receive the economic and non-economic damages you deserve by acting as your advocate in the courtroom.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Arckey & Steele for Your Motorcycle Accident Case in Denver
Our goal is simple: do fewer cases, and do them exceptionally well.
Small caseloads, focused attention
We intentionally limit the number of cases so each client receives the time, focus, and resources their matter deserves.
Direct access to your attorney
When you contact our firm, you work directly with the lawyer handling your case.
Proven track record
Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a track record of results in serious injury and litigation-focused cases.
Meet Our Team
Our Trusted Denver Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
When you hire Arckey & Steele, you work directly with experienced attorneys who are personally invested in your case.
Founder & PartnerEric S. Steele
Tackles cases involving personal injury, business, and employment matters. Eric has significant experience securing meaningful recoveries for injured clients.
Brings over four decades of litigation experience and a strategic approach shaped by years of representing individuals and businesses, often in the courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
No. Colorado is an “at-fault” state for motor vehicle accidents and that includes motorcycles. This means that the driver or rider who was at fault in the accident is responsible for paying the damages to the other party. The fault and compensation associated with it may be impacted by the use of MedPay to cover immediate medical costs of any related injuries. Arckey & Steele will investigate key details of your case to determine liability and help you achieve full compensation.
Yes. Even in motorcycle accidents that may seem small, riders can experience whiplash and concussions that do not show up immediately after a collision. Insurance companies will try to get you to waive your rights in the event of an accident and settle for lower compensation. By hiring a personal injury attorney in Denver, you can get full and complete compensation in your motorcycle accident case.
No. Lane splitting — or passing moving vehicles between lanes — is illegal in Colorado. The state did recently pass a law that legalized lane filtering in specific conditions, allowing motorcyclists to pass on the left of stopped vehicles traveling the same direction as you on specific roads at lower speeds of 15 mph or less.
Colorado law employs Modified Comparative Fault to establish compensation in a personal injury case. This means that if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident, you are ineligible for compensation and if you are less than 50% at fault, compensation is reduced by that percentage.
Resources
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Areas We Serve
Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims Across Colorado
Do you live in the Denver area? Are you located in Aurora or Broomfield? Arckey & Steele is here to provide legal advice and support for clients involved in personal injury cases across the State of Colorado.
You shouldn’t have to guess about your legal rights while recovering from a crash. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills or a disputed police report, we’re here to provide the clarity you need. Reach out today for a no-obligation strategy session
