Boulder Bicycle Accident Attorneys

30 Years Representing Bike Accident Victims

Because bicyclists have so few protections, they can suffer serious, life-changing injuries in an instant. Whether struck by a moving vehicle or thrown from a bike after a collision with an immovable object, many bicyclists need compensation to help them recover from their injuries.

At the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, we represent clients just like you—injured and looking for a way to pay expenses. However, you must move fast to protect your rights and build your case the correct way.

Contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC at (303) 219-7377 or contact us online for a free consultation.

The Tenge Law Firm, LLC Advantage

As experienced Colorado bicycle accident attorneys, we understand how to present a compelling case that earns our clients adequate compensation. Whether negotiating with a motorist’s insurer or bringing a product liability lawsuit against a bicycle manufacturer in court, we understand how to present evidence necessary to show when someone else bears responsibility for the crash.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, we might need to:

• Review your bicycle to determine whether it contains a defect
• Interview witnesses to better understand who is responsible for the collision
• Consult medical experts to understand the severity of your injuries
• Work with an accident reconstructionist to flesh out what happened
• Work with an accident reconstructionist to flesh out what happened

With so much on the line, why go with an inexperienced lawyer who does not understand Colorado law?

The experienced team at Tenge Law Firm, LLC, has helped many individuals recover damages from catastrophic bicycle injuries. By strategically negotiating our terms and the circumstances of one case, we were able to recover the full policy limits for all insurance funds without even filing a lawsuit, for a man who sustained severe facial lacerations while riding his bicycle. Another case we handled involved a bicyclist getting hit by a car, subsequently left with injuries to his shoulder, head, and neck. We were able to recover a total of $350,000 for our client so he could heal in peace.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Our bicycle accident attorneys in Boulder represent cyclists injured by:

• Collisions with moving vehicles. Although motorists are supposed to share the road with bicycles, many fail to look for bikes or misjudge their proximity to them. Some motorists even engage in risky behaviors around bicycles, such as passing too closely to them.
• Crashes caused by road defects. Bicyclists feel the effects of dangerous and defective roads more than motorists. A bicyclist can crash after striking a pothole or uneven concrete.
• Collisions with pedestrians. Many pedestrians do not look where they are going and end up stepping directly in front of bicyclists.
• Crashes with stationary objects. Many bicyclists can crash after a passenger in a parked car opens a door without checking whether a bicycle is approaching. The cyclist may slam into and get flung over the top of the door before landing on the road.
• Accidents caused by defective bicycle parts. Some bicycles will malfunction and not work as promised, leading to loss of control and crashes.

Regardless of the cause of injury, bicyclists should receive prompt medical attention. Spinal cord injuries, open wounds, and head injuries can become progressively worse if not promptly treated. Other injuries might take several days to fully develop, so head back to the doctor if you suddenly start feeling pain. Medical documentation is vital for establishing the full scope of your injuries.

Dooring Accidents

Bicycle accidents can absolutely transform a rider’s life. These accidents are often the result of negligent drivers who failed to check their mirrors, ignored a bicyclist’s right of way, or otherwise drove recklessly. But one of the most overlooked acts of negligence is as simple as opening a door. 

Referred to as “dooring,” these accidents occur when vehicle occupants fail to check if there is any oncoming traffic before opening a door while parked on the side of the road. 

In bike accidents like these, the cyclist's bones, muscles, and organs can become compressed when they hit a door and result in internal damage. In addition, the rider can suffer further harm when they collide with the ground. Dooring can cause them to fall back against the ground, slide underneath the door, or be thrown over it onto the street. In some cases, they may even be hit from the side and be thrown into oncoming traffic. 

All of these events can cause catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Slipped discs
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones
• Severe lacerations

These injuries are not limited to bicyclists. Dooring accidents can also involve electric scooters like Lyme and Bird, whose riders are legally required to use the bike lanes, and motorcyclists. All of these vehicles can strike an open door at high speeds, resulting in severe trauma for the riders. 

What If the Driver Who Hit Me Was Uninsured?

If you own a car, or live with a relative who owns a car, and the car is covered by uninsured motorist, you can make a claim on the UM coverage even though you were injured as a bicyclist. UM coverage follows you. Many people are completely unaware of this option, and frankly, many lawyers don’t know this either. Give the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, a call. We are excellent at determining available insurance coverage.

Colorado’s Statute of Limitations

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for a bicycle accident claim generally depends on whether a motor vehicle was involved. If the bicycle accident was caused by a motor vehicle (e.g., a car, truck, or motorcycle), the injured party typically has three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

However, if the accident did not involve a motor vehicle, the standard personal injury statute of limitations of two years typically applies.

Due to the complexities and strict nature of these deadlines, anyone involved in a bike accident should consult with a Boulder bicycle accident lawyer at the Tenge Law Firm as soon as possible to ensure their rights are protected and their claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe.

Reach Out to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Boulder Today

Bicycle accidents leave many people shaken, with skyrocketing medical expenses. At the same time, many cannot work, which only increases the financial and emotional stress they feel. Fortunately, legal help is available.

At the Tenge Law Firm, our Boulder bike accident lawyers have decades of experience representing injured cyclists throughout Colorado. If we take you on as a client, we can launch a thorough investigation into your accident, review the police report, collect witness statements, and represent you in insurance negotiations or a jury trial. 

We offer every potential client a free consultation and work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there is no cost to reaching out to us.

To schedule your free consultation, please call (303) 219-7377.