Grand Junction Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Grand Junction

In Colorado, obtaining a Class M license for motorcycles is more challenging than obtaining a Class R license for passenger vehicles. You would need to complete additional testing for the former, which includes an extra written and skills test.

This extra training means that bikers are typically not the at-fault drivers in motorcycle accidents. The other driver is often to blame due to unfamiliarity with how motorcycles operate or common types of carelessness, including:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to give the right-of-way
• Driving while fatigued
• Tailgating
• Reckless driving

If you think that another driver was responsible for your accident, a seasoned lawyer from our team may be able to help. During your free consultation, our attorneys can consider the evidence and determine whether you have a solid case against the other driver.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Grand Junction

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Grand Junction, the actions you take immediately after the crash can affect your chance of getting compensation for your injuries. 

To protect your legal rights, make sure to do the following:

• Call 911 as soon as possible to report the accident and get medical attention.
• Accept any medical attention recommended by responding EMTs.
• Take pictures of all injuries, damage to vehicles, and the accident scene, if you are able.
• Get contact information for other drivers and witnesses to the accident.
• Determine whether any surveillance cameras in the area may have recorded the accident.
• Report the accident to your insurance company without providing a recorded statement.
• Contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Each of these steps can protect your right to get fair compensation after a car accident. 

Types of Compensation You Can Get After a Grand Junction Motorcycle Accident

If you are seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident in Grand Junction, there are two types of compensation you may be eligible to seek: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages cover the tangible losses and expenses associated with your injury. Typically, this includes:

• Lost wages or income.
• Current and future medical bills.
• Services you require due to your injuries.
• Other related costs.

If you have already absorbed one or more of these costs, you should be able to produce documentation to prove that you suffered financial harm. Typically, this includes paperwork, like work stubs or receipts. If you expect future losses or expenses, your lawyer can help you record those expected losses.

The other type of compensation you may be eligible for is non-economic damages. These damages address the pain and suffering that you endured due to the accident. This includes mental and physical anguish. 

Non-economic damages also cover loss of companionship when a loved one dies in an accident. Generally, you are only eligible to receive non-economic damages when another party is responsible for your accident. 

Finally, if you are partially responsible for your injuries, you may still be able to get partial compensation from another party. However, you may only receive compensation if your share of responsibility is equal to or less than the other party’s. Any compensation you receive in this scenario will be reduced based on that party’s percentage of fault.

How Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws Affect Your Compensation

Colorado has a simple motorcycle helmet law. If you are under 18, you are required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. No other helmet law applies.

Despite this, your decision to wear a helmet can affect your ability to get compensation after an accident. For instance, if you don’t wear a helmet and suffer an injury that a helmet could have prevented, you may be held partially responsible for your injury. That can decrease the compensation you receive or bar you from obtaining any at all. 

How Grand Junction Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help With Accident Claims

If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one in a Grand Junction motorcycle crash, you should never attempt to navigate the insurance or legal process on your own. Both are quite difficult to navigate, and the consequences of a mistake can be financially devastating.

We can help you get fair compensation from an insurance company or through a lawsuit. Our Colorado lawyers have extensive experience with the insurance claim systems used by major insurers. We understand the process, the deadlines, and what types of tactics will be effective to get you the compensation you need.

Typically, we start with an independent investigation to collect critical evidence that supports your claim. Using that evidence, we can negotiate for a fair settlement based on the true value of your claim. More often than not, this will result in a settlement that doesn’t require you to go to court.

Colorado Time Limits for Accident Claims

Whether your case ends with a settlement or in a courtroom, you will face several time limits during the process. Our attorneys are familiar with these limits, whether set by insurance companies or the law. You can rest assured that we work efficiently without sacrificing the quality of our work.

Why Choose Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Grand Junction From Bachus & Schanker?

One of our founding attorneys, Kyle Bachus, suffered the tragic loss of his mother due to a negligent party. Due to that experience, he received a first-hand look at how frustrating the justice system can be for the victims of accidents and their loved ones.

At Bachus & Schanker, we are dedicated to ensuring our clients don’t suffer the same pain. We fight to make the justice system work for you. If you suffered any type of pain or loss after a Grand Junction motorcycle crash, let our compassionate team help you navigate the path forward.

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