• Call the police.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Report the accident to your insurance company.
• Gather information from all the parties involved in the collision, including insurance information and license plate numbers.
• Locate any witnesses and get contact information from them if possible.
• Photograph the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries.
• Retain any damaged clothing and bike parts.
• Create a diagram showing the position and direction of all vehicles involved.
• Say as little as possible at the scene; don’t make a statement to anyone except law enforcement.

The Colorado Bicycle Safety Act of 2009 clarifies the law regarding the responsibilities of motorists and cyclists:

• Motorists must allow at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist.
• Bicyclists may ride side by side and then in single file when a vehicle is approaching, riding as far right in the right-hand lane as is safe.
• Cyclists may ride on the far left or far right of a one-way street, particularly when preparing to turn left, in order to avoid crossing several lanes of traffic to make the turn.
• Motorists may not threaten, crowd, swerve toward, or throw things at bicyclists.

In May 2018, Colorado legalized the rolling stop — i.e., rolling toward a stop sign without coming to a complete stop — a common practice of bicyclists. The Bicycle Operation Approaching Intersection bill allows Colorado communities to limit rolling-stop speeds and gives bicyclists a way to safely pull out in front of motor vehicles. The purpose of the law is to increase the visibility of bicyclists and enable them to quickly and safely get out of the way of automobiles.

When two vehicles approach an intersection that has no traffic signal, the vehicle arriving first generally has the right of way. If they get there at the same time, the right of way belongs to the one to the right. If the intersection is located where a major street and a minor street cross, the vehicle on the major street has the right of way. Sometimes a traffic signal sensor fails to register the presence of a bicycle. If that happens, the cyclist should move slightly toward the sensor, wait until it is safe to cross against the light, or cross at the crosswalk.

• Negligent drivers of automobiles, buses, or trucks.
• Manufacturers and retailers of defective bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories, and vehicles.
• The government entity that is responsible for maintaining the road but that failed to do so.
• Bicycle repair shops or mechanics who performed faulty repairs on the bicycle.
• The owner of private property that was negligently designed or improperly maintained.

The bicyclist can also be held responsible for the accident if he violated the law or was riding in a negligent or unsafe manner.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) contends that laws requiring the use of bicycle helmets would reduce the number of serious head injuries, the leading cause of death of cyclists involved in a traffic accident. Although the NTSB urges all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to require bicyclists to wear a helmet while riding, some advocates of bicycling oppose such mandates for fear that they would discourage bicycling.

To be as safe as possible while bicycling:

• Never ride against traffic.
• Ride single file on curved canyon roads that have no bike lanes or shoulders.
• Use hand signals to signify that you are turning, slowing, or stopping.
• Use a headlight, taillight, and reflectors when riding at night.
• Wear clothing that makes you more visible to others on the road.
• Wear protective gear like helmets, glasses, and gloves.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Colorado, contact the Law Offices of Daniel R. Rosen online or call 303-454-8000 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney today.