Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents in Fort Collins

Being hit by a motor vehicle while on your bicycle in Fort Collins can be a frightening and traumatic experience – made even more so if the driver flees the scene without stopping. If you are injured in a hit-and-run bicycle accident in Fort Collins, you may still have options for recovering financial compensation. Ask for assistance from an experienced Fort Collins bicycle accident attorney to help you protect your legal rights.

What Is a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?

A hit-and-run describes any type of traffic accident where one of the involved parties flees the scene without stopping and exchanging information. In Colorado, it is against the law to fail to stop and render aid after an accident involving property damage, injury or death, including a bicycle accident. These are an individual’s legal responsibilities under Colorado Revised Statute § 42-4-1603.

A hit-and-run bicycle accident occurs when a motor vehicle driver strikes a cyclist and drives off without stopping to check if the biker was injured, report the accident to the police and render aid. These bicycle accidents can be especially severe, as the injured cyclist may not receive the prompt medical care that he or she needs. Sadly, this can increase the chances of the cyclist’s death.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident in Fort Collins

There are steps you can take after a hit-and-run bicycle accident in Fort Collins to improve your chances of holding someone financially responsible for your related injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you can, here’s what to do:

1. Assess for injuries. Try to minimize your movements until you can check for injuries. If you have a back, neck or spine injury, sudden movements can exacerbate the damage. In such cases, consulting with a Fort Collins spinal cord injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and secure the support you need for recovery.

1. Seek medical attention. Get immediate care by calling 911 and requesting an ambulance or visiting the nearest hospital in Fort Collins.

1. Call the police. Always report a bicycle accident to law enforcement, especially if the driver left the scene without stopping.

1. Gather information. Do your best to document the accident by writing down what you can remember (such as partial license plate numbers) and taking pictures at the scene.
2. File an insurance claim. Without the at-fault driver available to cover your losses, you may be able to recover compensation from your own insurance provider. Call your carrier to find out if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance that covers your bike accident.
3. Contact an attorney. Your options for legal recourse after a hit-and-run bicycle accident may include a lawsuit against the driver (if caught) or a claim against a third party. Discuss your case with a lawyer before settling.

A bicycle accident attorney in Fort Collins can immediately go to work investigating your hit-and-run crash and collecting evidence. With assistance from an attorney, you may be able to identify the motorist who hit you and seek maximum financial compensation through one or more outlets.

When to Contact a Fort Collins Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you have injuries from a bicycle accident where the at-fault driver hit you and ran, don’t wait to contact an attorney for legal advice and counsel. A Fort Collins bicycle accident lawyer at Cannon Law can visit the scene of your accident, interview witnesses, and work with the police to try to identify the at-fault driver. With or without identifying the hit-and-run driver, your attorney can seek maximum compensation for your losses through all available sources to help you pay for medical care and move forward.