The weather in Colorado is a dream come true, mild seasons allow for outdoor activity throughout the year. We all love it. However, with all these beautiful, sunny days come the cyclists. With cyclists, come the preventable car accidents.
Today we’re going over how cyclists and motorists can share the road for everyone’s safety.
As a cyclist, there are some easy-to-follow rules to abide by, make a habit, and maintain throughout your cycling career, while on the road:
• Cyclists need to follow the same rules and laws as motorists
• Even when you “know” you don’t need to stop at that stop sign because you can see that no cars are around- stop anyway, and stop completely
• Make no sudden moves- if you cut off a car, you’re going to lose
• Signal which way you’re going and check your surroundings prior to turning or merging
Wear a helmet, bring water for those super-hot days, take breaks when necessary
• If it’s dark outside, be sure to wear light-colored clothing and have lights or reflectors on your bike and helmet (it’s smart to do this at any time of day because you may end up riding in unpredictable, darkening weather or come home later than you anticipated)
• Stay clear of parked cars, going out of your way to avoid them so you don’t get cut off by an opening door or hit when the car pulls out unexpectedly
• Stay alert at all times, have a full view of your surroundings, watch for drivers, other cyclists, and pedestrians using eye contact whenever possible
• Look out for animals, potholes, rocks, and debris on the roads
• Keep your ID, cell phone, and some cash on you for emergencies
Motorists also need to be cautious and smart when driving around cyclists and on known roads where cyclists are often found.
• Be cognizant and respectful of cyclists, they have a right to be on the road just as you do
• Slower your speed as you come upon cyclists, even if that means going under the speed limit for a few moments
• Obey all the usual driving laws while ensuring the cyclists see you, it’s always best to do this through eye contact
• Stop at all red lights and stop signs completely and use your signals so everyone knows your next move
• Be sure to keep at least three feet between you and the cyclist when you pass him/her
• Always keep a smart distance from the cyclist, use your common sense, if the bike falls over, do you have time to adequately and safely respond?
Sharing the road can be frustrating at times, but it’s necessary for everyone’s safety. Be smart and patient and always be diligent. Pedestrian injuries in Colorado are on the rise due to smartphones, population growth, and the convenience of rentable motorized bikes and scooters in urban areas.
If you were a cyclist involved in a car accident, Thornton’s personal injury attorneys at Hull & Zimmerman would like to help. We are dedicated to getting you the compensation you’re entitled to. Call us today to find out more.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident in Arvada, Northglenn, Thornton, or anywhere in Northern Colorado, you may be able to file a claim against the negligent party. It is important to contact our experienced Arvada personal injury attorneys immediately to discuss your legal options. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed personal injury lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.
Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., we are honored to help accident victims in their time of need, and take our responsibility as personal injury lawyers incredibly seriously. We know how important it is for victims to secure the full and fair compensation they need following a serious accident, and that is why we take a hands-on, personalized approach to every case we handle.
awarded to a woman who was a victim of a car crash. The woman was driving the highway when the other driver approaching from the opposite direction lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and hit her head on. She suffered multiple broken bones, including her hip, pelvis, leg, and right arm. She missed several years of work as a result of her injuries. Read More
awarded to a woman who was the victim of a t-bone car crash. The client suffered multiple injuries. The most significant of which was a head injury. While she was ultimately able to return to work on a part-time basis, Plaintiff was never able to return to work on a full-time basis. Read More
settlement awarded to a lady who suffered a head injury. She slipped and fell in a slanted parking lot at her place of employment. Evidence demonstrated that the owner of the building had constructed a fence shading the parking lot such that ice was allowed to continuously accumulate during the winter months. Multiple people had fallen on the ice prior to the client’s fall. As a result of her injuries, Plaintiff was forced to take early retirement. Read More
awarded to a man whose vehicle was hit from behind by a semi. The injured party suffered back pain and rotator cuff tears in each shoulder and was forced to retire from his job doing road repair four years earlier. Read More
settlement (policy limits) awarded to a young man who lost his eye when another child shot an arrow into the air. Read More
settlement obtained for a man who was injured in a rear end automobile accident. He suffered a herniated disc in his low back which was not well resolved by surgery forcing him to leave his employment as an apartment maintenance manager. Read More
awarded to a gentleman in association with a workman’s compensation case. He initially sustained a head injury at work when attacked by a patient. Several years later, his condition worsened resulting in his inability to return to work in his usual job. Read More
settlement achieved in a legal malpractice case. The client initially suffered a herniated disc in her neck in association with an automobile accident. The attorney failed to file the lawsuit in a timely manner and the Plaintiff was initially denied her ability to achieve any monies from the original lawsuit. Read More
settlement awarded to a man who was a victim of an automobile accident. Plaintiff was a passenger who was rear-ended by another driver. Following the accident, he suffered a long term back injury. Read More
settlement awarded to a lady who aggravated a pre-existing back condition when she slipped and fell at the entrance to a casino. Read More
awarded to a woman who suffered a rotator cuff tear from an automobile accident. Read More