1. Springs Law Group
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, premises liability, slip and fall accidents
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, property damage claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, medical lien resolution, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, wrongful death claims, pain and suffering claims, lost wage recovery
Background: Christopher M. Nicolaysen is the founder and lead attorney. Colorado Bar Number 47018, admitted May 27, 2014. Graduate of Denver Sturm College of Law. Former judicial clerk for Honorable Judge David L. Shakes of the Colorado 4th Judicial District. Member of the Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. Former teacher before entering law practice. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
Location: 1880 Office Club Pointe, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Contact: (719) 300-7554 | https://springslawgroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no out-of-pocket costs, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery obtained)
2. The Longo Firm, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, product liability
Case Types Handled: Head-on collisions, intersection accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end crashes, highway accidents, distracted driving accidents, texting while driving accidents, speeding accidents, reckless driving accidents, drunk driving accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims, dram shop claims
Background: Stephen A. Longo is the founder. Licensed in Colorado, California, Arizona, and the District of Columbia. California Bar Number 279198. Graduate of Loyola Marymount University School of Law (2011) and UCLA (B.A. Political Science, 2008). Member of the Multi-Million-Dollar Advocates Forum. Named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40. Selected by Expertise as Top 10 Motorcycle Lawyer in 2020. EAGLE member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. Member of the American Association for Justice and El Paso County Bar Association.
Location: 1880 Office Club Pointe, Suite 144, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Contact: (719) 249-1688 | https://www.thelongofirm.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis, direct attorney access via personal cellphone
3. Ramos Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, workers compensation, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, medical provider coordination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, future medical expense recovery
Background: Dr. Joseph Ramos, MD JD is the founder. Licensed physician and practicing attorney with board certification in Emergency Medicine. His medical background provides unique expertise in understanding injury cases from both legal and medical perspectives. The firm has recovered millions in total compensation for clients. Multiple office locations across Colorado including Colorado Springs at 8610 Explorer Dr., Suite 100.
Location: 8610 Explorer Dr., Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Contact: (719) 309-3000 | https://www.ramoslaw.com
Consultation: Free complimentary consultation, contingency fee basis, virtual consultations available
4. Kim Welch Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, side-swipe accidents, rear-end crashes, left-turn accidents, intersection accidents, distracted driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, bad faith insurance claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, bad faith insurance claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims
Background: Kim Welch has over 30 years of legal experience. Former insurance defense attorney who now represents plaintiffs. Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Colorado, US District Court of Colorado, 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, US District Court of Nevada, and Nevada Supreme Court. Graduate of UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law (finished 12th in class). Named Personal Injury Attorney of the Year (Colorado) by US Business News Legal Elite Awards 2020. Selected as Top 100 trial lawyer for Colorado by National Trial Lawyers Association (2019, 2020). Top 10 attorney by National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys (2020).
Location: Colorado Springs, CO (also serves Las Vegas, NV)
Contact: (888) 590-5510 | https://kimwelchlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, virtual appointments available
5. Shakeshaft Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, negligent driver accidents, road hazard accidents, defective motorcycle parts claims, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, maximum compensation recovery
Background: Established in 1982, providing over 40 years of legal service to injured motorcyclists and their families. The firm handles cases throughout Colorado including the Denver metro area, El Paso County, Pike’s Peak Region, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Grand Junction. Works with experienced investigators and medical experts.
Location: Colorado Springs, CO (serves clients throughout Colorado)
Contact: (719) 635-5886 or (800) 383-5886 | https://shakeshaftlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, no fee unless recovery obtained
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Colorado
Statute of Limitations: Three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Two years for wrongful death claims. Two years for claims involving defective motorcycle design or construction.
Fault System: Colorado is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the accident is responsible for compensating injury victims.
Comparative Negligence: Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (50% bar). Injured motorcyclists can recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.
Helmet Laws: Riders and passengers under 18 years of age must wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders 18 and older are not required to wear helmets but this is strongly encouraged by CDOT.
Eye Protection Requirements: All motorcycle operators and passengers, regardless of age, must wear eye protection. A visor on a helmet, goggles, or glasses with safety glass or shatterproof plastic lenses are acceptable. A windshield does not count as eye protection.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering: As of August 7, 2024, lane filtering is permitted under specific conditions: other vehicles must be stationary, the lane must be wide enough for safe passage, and the motorcycle must not exceed 15 mph while filtering. Lane splitting (riding between moving vehicles) remains illegal.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Minimum liability coverage required: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, $15,000 for property damage.
Licensing Requirements: Operators must have a valid Colorado driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement (Class M for two or three-wheeled motorcycles, Class 3 for three-wheeled only). Riders under 18 must complete an approved Basic Rider Course.
Equipment Requirements: At least one mirror providing a view of at least 200 feet to the rear, functional brakes, a horn audible from 200 feet, muffler system, appropriate lighting.
Turn Signals: Not mandatory, but riders must use hand signals if the motorcycle is not equipped with turn signals.
Passenger Regulations: Passengers are permitted only if the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person with a designated seat and footrests.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Optional but strongly recommended. Insurers are required to offer UM/UIM coverage to policyholders.
Damage Caps: Colorado does not cap economic damages. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) may be capped in certain circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Colorado?
A: In Colorado, you have three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims arising from a fatal motorcycle accident, the deadline is two years from the date of death. If your claim involves a defective motorcycle design or construction, the statute of limitations is two years. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation through the court system.
Q: How does Colorado’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your percentage of fault is less than 50%. However, your damages award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and awarded $100,000, you would receive $80,000. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation.
Q: I was not wearing a helmet when my motorcycle accident occurred. Can I still file a claim in Colorado?
A: Yes, you can still file a claim. Colorado law only requires helmets for riders under 18 years of age, so if you are 18 or older, you were not violating any law by riding without a helmet. However, the insurance company or defense attorney may argue that some of your injuries (particularly head injuries) were made worse because you were not wearing a helmet, potentially affecting your damages award under comparative negligence principles.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Colorado and how does it affect accident liability?
A: Traditional lane splitting (riding between moving vehicles) remains illegal in Colorado. However, as of August 7, 2024, lane filtering is permitted under specific conditions: the other vehicles must be completely stopped, the lane must be wide enough for safe passage, and the motorcycle cannot exceed 15 mph while filtering. If you are involved in an accident while improperly lane splitting, you may be found partially or fully at fault, which could significantly reduce or eliminate your compensation under Colorado’s comparative negligence laws.
Q: What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs?
A: Motorcycle accident victims in Colorado may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In cases involving particularly reckless or egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance coverage.