1. Bachus & Schanker
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, surveillance footage collection, witness statements, expert testimony coordination, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has a team of experienced motorcycle accident attorneys with thorough understanding of Colorado state law as it applies to motorcyclists. Conducts comprehensive investigations into accidents by collecting police reports, witness statements, mobile device data, and vehicle black box data. Licensed and in good standing with the Colorado State Bar.
Location: Aurora, Colorado (Denver Metro Area)
Contact: https://www.coloradolaw.net
Consultation: Free case consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
2. Ridder Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, underinsured motorist motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, police report analysis, expert witness coordination, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Theodore Ridder is a lifelong Colorado resident. The firm has spent more than a decade fighting for injured victims across the Front Range. Familiar with Aurora’s roads, traffic patterns, construction zones, and commercial routes. Understands Colorado’s modified comparative negligence system. Licensed and in good standing with the Colorado State Bar.
Location: Aurora, Colorado (serving Denver Metro Area)
Contact: https://ridderlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
3. Matlin Injury Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, negligent driver motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, road hazard motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering from traffic cameras and security cameras, expert witness testimony, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, mental health service costs, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has handled many personal injury and wrongful death cases in Aurora. Attorneys are familiar with the civil court system and laws that apply to motorcycle accident cases in Colorado. Works with mental health experts to diagnose pain and suffering. Licensed and in good standing with the Colorado State Bar.
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Contact: (303) 777-1000 | https://matlininjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
4. Lee, Myers & O’Connell, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, defective motorcycle accidents, unsafe road condition motorcycle accidents, negligent driver motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, product defect analysis, road condition investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, emotional distress claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm’s Colorado motorcycle accident attorneys help seek fair compensation for injured motorcyclists. Experienced in cases involving negligent motorists, motorcycle defects, and unsafe road conditions. Understands Colorado motorcycle laws and statute of limitations requirements. Licensed and in good standing with the Colorado State Bar.
Location: Aurora, Colorado (serving Colorado)
Contact: https://lmoclaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
5. Cave Law, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, dealing with insurance companies, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Experienced Aurora motorcycle accident attorneys who understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face on the road. Help clients navigate complex legal landscape, fight for rights, and secure compensation. Licensed and in good standing with the Colorado State Bar.
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Contact: https://cavelawyer.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Colorado
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Three years from the date of the accident under C.R.S. 13-80-102. For cases involving defective products, the deadline may be two years.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault State: Colorado is a fault-based (at-fault) state. The at-fault party is responsible for compensating the injured victim. Claims are filed with the liable driver’s insurance provider.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence system. You can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovery.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage: $15,000 per accident
Helmet Laws: Colorado has a partial helmet law. Only riders and passengers under 18 years of age are required to wear DOT-approved helmets. Adults 18 and over are not required to wear helmets. All riders must wear eye protection regardless of age.
Eye Protection Requirements: Mandatory for all motorcycle operators regardless of age.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering: Lane splitting is ILLEGAL in Colorado. Motorcycles may not pass or overtake cars in the same lane. However, motorcycles are allowed to share a lane side-by-side with one other motorcycle.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Colorado requires a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement (Class M). You must successfully complete a knowledge exam and on-site skills test.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have mirrors, headlights, taillights, turn signals, and compliant exhaust systems.
Helmet Use as Evidence: If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered head or brain injuries, the defense may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of your injuries. This could reduce your compensation under comparative negligence principles.
Damage Caps: Colorado has caps on non-economic damages in personal injury cases, though the caps are periodically adjusted for inflation. Punitive damages are generally capped at the amount of actual damages awarded.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Optional but recommended. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or flees the scene in a hit-and-run, you may recover damages through your own UM/UIM coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Colorado?
A: Colorado generally allows motorcycle accident victims three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim under C.R.S. 13-80-102. However, if the accident was caused by a defective motorcycle part, you may have only two years. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. It is best to start your case as soon as possible to ensure evidence is preserved and all deadlines are met.
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Colorado?
A: Colorado has a partial helmet law. Riders and passengers under 18 years of age must wear DOT-approved helmets at all times. Adults 18 and over are not required to wear helmets. However, all motorcycle operators must wear eye protection regardless of age. If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered injuries, this could potentially be used as evidence of comparative negligence, though an attorney can help counter such arguments.
Q: Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident in Colorado?
A: Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence system, you can recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and awarded $100,000, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages from the other party.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Colorado, and how does it affect motorcycle accident claims?
A: Lane splitting is illegal in Colorado. Motorcycles may not pass or overtake cars in the same lane. However, motorcycles are permitted to share a lane side-by-side with one other motorcycle. If you were lane splitting at the time of an accident, this could be used as evidence of your negligence, potentially reducing or eliminating your compensation depending on the circumstances.
Q: What compensation can I recover in a Colorado motorcycle accident case?
A: Colorado motorcycle accident victims may recover economic damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage to your motorcycle, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement, though Colorado does have caps on non-economic damages that are adjusted periodically for inflation. In egregious cases, punitive damages may also be available, though they are generally capped at the amount of actual damages awarded.