Ganderton Law Personal Injury Law Firm helps people in Colorado Springs when they’re injured in all kinds of accidents. Even the most skilled motorcycle riders in Colorado Springs know how unpredictable the roads can be. One careless driver or a sudden traffic change on I-25 or Powers Boulevard can change everything. And while the idea of being in a motorcycle accident is scary, it’s also what opens the door to legal support. If that time comes, our team is here to help guide you through the next steps and make sure your claim has the foundation it needs to move forward. Get started today with a free consultation.

Is a Lawyer Really Necessary After a Motorcycle Accident?

You’re not legally required to hire a lawyer–but after a serious motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs, having one in your corner can make a big difference. If the crash left you with only minor damage, you might be able to handle things on your own. But if you’re facing serious injuries or long-term consequences, you’ll likely need more support than the insurance company is offering.

Here’s what our motorcycle accident lawyers can do to help you:

• Explaining your rights and options.
• Gathering medical records, accident reports, and anything else that will support your claim.
• Negotiating and handling talks with insurance companies and their representatives.
• Guiding you through the claims process, whether it’s through insurance or a lawsuit.
• Making things easier for you and your family.
  
  

No matter how careful you are on your motorcycle, you can’t control how others drive. When someone else’s carelessness causes an accident, the law gives you options–but it’s important to understand what those options are and how the process works. And that starts right after your accident happens.

What Do I Need to Do Right After My Motorcycle Accident?

No matter where your motorcycle accident happens in the city, what you do in the hours and days afterward can have a major impact on your ability to file a successful claim. Just saying you were injured isn’t enough—you need to show how the accident happened, how it affected you, and why you’re entitled to support. Here’s how to build that foundation, step by step:

• Call 911 right away – First, get to a safe spot if you can–ideally off the road. Then call 911. This does more than bring help to the scene–it means an official record report, which can become a key part of your claim later.
  
  
• Take pictures and gather details – While you’re waiting for help, take pictures of everything: your motorcycle, the other vehicles, your injuries, the road, any debris or skid marks, and even nearby signs or traffic signals.There were probably witnesses, so make sure to get their name and contact information as well. These details can help paint a clear picture of what really happened–and who was responsible.
  
  
• Follow up with your doctor – Some injuries take hours or even days to show symptoms, especially after the adrenaline wears off. Getting checked out right away, both by EMTs at the scene and your doctor soon after, helps document the connection between the accident and your injuries.
  
  
• Keep every piece of paperwork – Save everything: medical bills, diagnoses, receipts, repair estimates, letters from the insurance company—anything tied to the accident. These documents are what help show the real impact the crash has had on your health, your finances, and your everyday life.
  
  
• Be careful with what you say – Be honest with police and insurance adjusters, but stick to the facts. Don’t guess or fill in blanks. And skip the social media updates for now–anything you post can be taken out of context and used against you later.
  
  

Every move you make after a motorcycle accident plays into how strong your claim will be. In a place like Colorado Springs, where traffic patterns and road conditions can complicate things, taking these steps can protect your claim to financial support and help you focus on what matters most–getting better.

Who’s Responsible After a Motorcycle Accident in Colorado Springs?

After a motorcycle accident, one of the first things you need to figure out is: Who caused it? Legally, the answer comes down to negligence—someone didn’t take the care they should have, and you got hurt because of it.

But in a real-life scenario, it’s rarely that simple or straightforward. In many motorcycle accidents we’ve helped with, more than one party could be involved. This legal responsibilty could fall on:

• A driver who made a dangerous move
• The city or state agency that failed to fix a dangerous road
• A manufacturer that sold a faulty part
• Even pedestrians or passengers who caused a distraction
  
  

Colorado also follows a comparative negligence rule. That means if you’re partly at fault, your claim can still go forward–but the amount you recover could be reduced. If you’re found more than 50% at fault, you can’t file at all.

So if you were speeding, lane-splitting recklessly, or something similar, those details could come up. This is why it’s so important to clearly show what really happened and how your actions (or someone else’s) caused the accident in question. From there, our team can help you with your actual legal options.

What Are My Legal Options After a Motorcycle Accident?

If someone else caused your crash, you have the right to file an injury claim. That’s how the law helps cover your medical bills, lost wages, and everything else the accident disrupted in your life. You can take two basic paths:

• Filing an insurance claim – This is often the first step. It’s usually quicker and handled out of court, but insurance companies don’t always offer what your case is worth. If their offer is too low, you don’t have to take it.
  
  
• Filing a lawsuit – If negotiations don’t go anywhere, filing a lawsuit may be your best chance at a fair result. A judge or jury can award damages that cover a range of losses, including:
  
  
  • Medical costs
  • Lost income or future earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional and mental distress
  • Repairs or replacement for your motorcycle
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Funeral costs in fatal accidents
    
    

But there’s one catch: Colorado gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. Miss that window, and you lose your right to take legal action–no matter how strong your case is.

Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Colorado Springs?

Riding through Colorado Springs on your motorcycle–whether it’s along I-25, near Garden of the Gods, or through the foothills–can be beautiful, but also dangerous. Here’s what tends to cause the most trouble:

• Impaired drivers – Drivers that are impaired by drugs or alcohol may not see you in time–or react too slowly to avoid a collision with you.
  
  
• Distracted drivers – People texting, fiddling with GPS, or just not looking out for motorcycles can easily cause collisions, especially near busy areas like Academy Boulevard or downtown.
  
  
• Bad roads – Potholes, gravel, and uneven pavement are tough enough in a car—but on a motorcycle, they can cause a wipeout fast. Some areas, especially in winter or construction zones, get rough quickly.
  
  
• Left turns – One of the most common accident types happens when a car tries to turn left in front of you, misjudging your speed or not seeing you at all.
  
  
• Intersections – Whether it’s Circle Drive or Fillmore Street, intersections are hotspots for accidents. Drivers often fail to yield or assume they have more time than they actually do.
  
  

Knowing what causes these crashes helps you stay alert—but if you’ve already been hit, it can make it a bit easier to understand who may be liable and what else you need to do to move forward with a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the driver flees the scene after hitting me?

In a hit-and-run, try to remember anything–the vehicle’s make, color, license plate digits, or direction they went. Tell the police as soon as you can. You may still be able to file through your own insurance, especially if you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

How long do I have to file my claim after my accident?

You’ve got two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. Don’t wait–claims can take time to build, and missing the deadline means walking away with nothing.

Can I still file a claim if I was trying to pass a slow driver?

Yes, though it could factor into the case. Passing a slower car legally doesn’t automatically make you at fault, but it might reduce what you can recover because of Colorado’s comparative negligence rule.

Get The Help You Need After a Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident

When you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs, it raises a lot of questions and issues. And the legal process doesn’t exactly make itself easy to understand. That’s where we come in at Ganderton Law Personal Injury Law Firm.

We handle the legal side, so you can focus on getting better. Whether it’s investigating the crash, pushing back against a low insurance offer, or filing a lawsuit if that’s what it takes–we’ll be by your side the whole way. If you’ve been hurt in a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident, set up a free consultation with our team today to talk about your options.