At Boesen Law, we believe you deserve to ride safely and recover fully when someone else’s negligence causes you harm. Our team brings over 30 years of focused experience representing Colorado motorcyclists and has recovered significant results, including a recent $2,200,000 settlement for a rider injured in a crash.
We understand how insurers try to cast motorcyclists as reckless or risky—and how to counter those arguments with medical evidence, accident reconstruction, and meticulous financial analysis. You pay us nothing unless we win. That’s why you need to hire a Lakewood motorcycle accident lawyer after an injury.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
Know Your Rights After a Crash in Colorado – Why Boesen Law Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Stand Out in Lakewood
Motorcyclists are often forced to defend themselves twice: first against negligent drivers on the road, and then against insurance adjusters eager to deny claims. Colorado follows modified comparative fault rules under C.R.S. § 13-21-111, meaning riders can still recover damages if they are found less than 50% at fault—but every percentage point matters because it reduces your recovery.
Unlike firms that handle these cases occasionally, Boesen Law has decades of experience handling motorcycle-specific claims in Colorado, giving us insights into how local courts.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Lakewood
In Lakewood, motorcycle crashes often happen on major corridors like Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, where traffic flow is fast and drivers often make sudden turns without checking for motorcycles. We regularly see motorcycle collisions caused by:
- Drivers making left turns without yielding, especially at intersections like Colfax & Kipling.
- Distracted drivers focused on mobile phones or in-vehicle screens.
- Unsafe lane changes, where motorists misjudge the smaller profile of motorcycles.
- Hazardous road conditions, such as potholes, gravel, or debris left by construction crews.
- Vehicle defects, including brake failures or tire blowouts that can support claims against manufacturers.
A crucial insight many riders overlook is that photographic evidence of road conditions or vehicle debris can make or break liability arguments.
If you’re unsure how to preserve evidence, we invite you to explore what evidence you need for a motorcycle accident injury claim and how we can help you secure it.
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
Every step you take after a crash can protect—or damage—your future claim. Here’s what we advise:
- Call 911 so police can document the scene and injuries. Even minor-looking crashes should be reported.
- Seek immediate medical care, since many TBIs and internal injuries don’t show symptoms right away.
- Take photographs of vehicle positions, debris, skid marks, road hazards, and your visible injuries.
- Collect witness names and numbers on the spot; waiting even a day can mean losing key evidence.
- Avoid talking about fault at the scene or on social media. Insurers will twist innocent words into admissions of blame.
- Contact Boesen Law quickly. We’ve intervened in cases where early evidence was saved from being erased or paved over.
Many riders are polite and cooperative after a crash—but that same attitude can give insurers ammo to blame them later. We tell clients: speak to police honestly, but save detailed explanations for your motorcycle accident lawyer at Boesen Law.
What Kinds of Compensation Can You Claim in Lakewood?
Colorado law allows injured motorcyclists to claim several types of compensation:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills, from ER visits and surgeries to physical therapy and follow-up imaging.
- Lost wages and diminished earning power, critical for riders whose injuries prevent returning to physically demanding jobs.
- Future care costs, including specialized therapies, in-home assistance, and prosthetics if injuries involve amputation.
Boesen Law has secured substantial recoveries for motorcycle riders, including $2,200,000 for a client injured in a motorcycle crash. These settlements cover medical expenses, lost wages, and projected future needs. During a free initial consultation, we can help you understand the potential settlement value of your case.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering, recognizing not just physical pain but also mental anguish and anxiety many motorcyclists face after crashes.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, accounting for how injuries prevent riding, hobbies, and other daily pleasures.
Punitive Damages
When crashes involve reckless or intentional acts—like drunk driving—Colorado law allows for punitive damages. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer, not just compensate the victim. While not common, they’ve been successfully awarded in Colorado motorcycle cases when drivers’ behavior was egregious.
What Determines the Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Motorcycle accident claims in Lakewood can vary tremendously in value. A minor fracture might resolve for under $50,000, while severe injuries, like brain trauma or paralysis, often lead to settlements or verdicts reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions.
Several factors affect a Lakewood motorcycle injury claim’s final value:
- Extent and permanence of injuries: Severe injuries like traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or multiple fractures drastically increase potential recovery.
- Degree of fault: Colorado’s modified comparative fault rules reduce your compensation if you’re partly responsible for the accident.
- Insurance coverage: Many Colorado drivers carry only the state’s minimum required insurance, which may be insufficient for catastrophic injuries. Boesen Law investigates all possible coverage sources, including underinsured motorist coverage.
- Economic consequences: High wage losses, inability to return to work, or lifelong medical care increase claim values.
- Quality of evidence: Video footage, accident reconstruction, and comprehensive medical documentation make it harder for insurers to deny or undervalue a claim.
Motorcycle riders in Colorado face higher risks than other motorists. This year, motorcycle accidents in Colorado have reached their highest number. Even when injuries are severe, insurers frequently attempt to reduce payouts by blaming riders for lane filtering, speed, or helmet use. Boesen Law uses expert medical opinions and crash reconstruction data to counter these defenses and secure fair compensation.
Attorney Joe Boesen notes: “We encourage riders not to rely on general settlement calculators. Motorcycle claims involve complex medical issues and legal nuances that generic tools can’t capture. At Boesen Law, we’ve seen claims initially valued under $100,000 ultimately settle or verdict over $1 million once evidence and expert testimony were fully developed.”
What You Need to Know About Lane Filtering in Colorado
Colorado’s lane filtering law, effective August 2024, gives riders more flexibility in traffic, but it also creates legal pitfalls. Riders may legally filter when:
- Traffic is moving at 15 mph or slower
- The speed limit is 55 mph or below
- Riders travel no more than 10 mph faster than other vehicles
- Lane filtering is not performed in school zones or near large trucks or buses
While the law aims to improve safety and reduce congestion, insurers often argue riders were “reckless” or “exceeding allowable speeds” during lane filtering, reducing settlements through comparative fault allegations. Boesen Law counters these claims by examining dash cam footage, traffic camera data, and event data recorders to show riders complied with the law.
How Boesen Law Builds and Wins Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle crashes demand evidence-heavy litigation. Boesen Law’s step-by-step approach ensures no detail is missed:
- In-depth crash investigation — We secure police reports, witness statements, traffic video, and black box data from involved vehicles.
- Accident reconstruction — Our engineering experts recreate collisions to identify speeds, angles, and forces involved, helping prove fault.
- Thorough medical analysis — Our network of neurosurgeons, orthopedic specialists, and life-care planners document injuries and forecast future costs.
- Detailed damages calculations — We prepare economic analyses of wage loss, medical bills, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
- Aggressive negotiations — We present insurers with comprehensive evidence that leaves little room for lowball offers.
- Trial readiness — We build every case as if it’s going to court, ensuring insurers know we’re ready to litigate if needed.
We’ve secured million-dollar settlements for injured riders after reconstructing crashes and demonstrating fault beyond dispute, even when initial offers were minimal.
Get Help Now – Speak With a Lakewood Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
To discuss how Colorado’s new laws and your unique crash details affect your claim, contact our Lakewood office today for a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs in Lakewood
How much is a Lakewood motorcycle accident claim worth?
Motorcycle injury claims in Colorado often range from $30,000 for moderate injuries to $1 million or more for severe brain trauma or spinal injuries. Boesen Law recently recovered $2.2 million for a Lakewood rider hurt in a collision. Your case’s value depends on medical costs, lost income, permanent disabilities, and how the crash impacts your daily life.
Will not wearing a helmet affect my motorcycle accident claim in Lakewood?
Under Colorado law, helmets are optional for riders over 18. While not illegal, insurers may argue that not wearing one contributed to your injuries—especially for head trauma. However, Boesen Law Lakewood personal injury law firm uses medical evidence and Colorado jury instructions to push back against unfair blame and maximize your recovery.
Can I still get compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule under C.R.S. § 13-21-111. You can recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of blame. Boesen Law reviews police reports and accident data to minimize fault assigned to our clients.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
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