Boulder Bicycle Accident Lawyer: Dedicated Advocacy For Injured Cyclists

Last updated on May 29, 2026

Bicyclists have little protection in the event they collide with a vehicle or a stationary object, often resulting in serious injuries in an instant. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and broken bones can be expensive to treat, and bicycle accident victims deserve fair compensation to pay for their medical expenses and other losses when they were injured through no fault of their own.

The danger is real and growing. The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that 18 bicyclists were killed in Colorado in 2025. That’s a 29% increase from the previous year. Boulder cyclists face particularly high risks on busy corridors like 30th Street, Baseline Road and Arapahoe Avenue, where heavy traffic and high speeds create hazardous conditions. The surge in SUVs and trucks on our roads has made matters worse, as these larger vehicles have bigger blind spots and deliver more devastating impacts in collisions, putting even experienced riders at risk.

When a bicycle rider dies or is hurt in a crash, a driver who caused the accident can be held responsible for the resulting damages.

If you were injured in a bike accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a Boulder personal injury attorney at Daniels & Scriven, P.C., wants to demand the compensation you deserve. We represent accident victims just like you. It’s all we do. Contact us today to learn about your legal options during a free case review.

What You Need To Know About E-Bike Accidents In Boulder

E-bikes have transformed how Boulder residents commute and recreate, but they also create new dangers and legal complexities. Colorado law recognizes three distinct e-bike classifications:

• Class 1: Provides motor assistance only when you pedal, with speeds capped at 20 mph
• Class 2: Features a throttle that engages the motor, reaching up to 20 mph
• Class 3: Offers pedal-assist technology that can reach speeds up to 28 mph

Boulder prohibits Class 3 e-bikes on most multiuse paths. Riders must keep these faster bikes in designated bike lanes or on streets. This regulation matters significantly when determining liability after a crash.

The youth e-bike surge presents particular concerns. Colorado requires riders under 18 to wear helmets on Class 3 bikes, yet many young riders ignore this rule. High-powered e-bikes and e-motos sometimes get misclassified as standard bicycles when retailers sell them, even though they perform more like mopeds or motorcycles.

These accidents can involve multiple liable parties, including negligent drivers, product manufacturers and parents who provided unsuitable bikes to minors. At Daniels & Scriven, P.C., our attorneys understand how e-bike cases differ from traditional bicycle accidents and can identify all potential sources of compensation for your injuries.

Compensation For A Boulder Bicycle Accident Claim

Bike accident victims should be compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other financial and nonfinancial losses. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-102.5 imposes a cap on pain and suffering, and other noneconomic losses – the amount of which is adjusted each year to account for inflation.

What Should You Do After A Bike Accident?

The steps you take after an accident can have a profound impact on your case. Some ways you can safeguard your health and your rights include:

• Call 911: Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance. Answer the responding law enforcement officer’s questions factually. Do not say anything that implies you were responsible for the accident.
• Get the driver’s information: Ask for the driver’s name, contact information and insurance information.
• Seek immediate medical attention: Accept the EMT’s recommendation to be checked out at the nearest emergency room so your injuries can be properly diagnosed and you can begin receiving medical treatment.
• Take pictures: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, or ask the law enforcement officer to do so if your phone is broken.
• Preserve digital evidence: Save speed and position data from your bike computer, fitness tracker or phone apps recorded during the time of the crash. Boulder’s expanded automated speed enforcement cameras may have also captured the collision.
• Talk to witnesses: Ask witnesses to write down their names and contact information.
• Keep your bike: Even if your bike is beyond repair, keep it. It is valuable evidence in your case.
• Explore your insurance options: See if your auto insurance or health insurance can cover your accident-related expenses.

These steps can counter common insurance company claims that you were speeding or weaving. Finally, contact an experienced bicycle crash lawyer for legal guidance and assistance – if you were hit by a car but not on a bicycle, reach out to one of our Boulder pedestrian accident attorneys today.

Common Types Of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can happen under various circumstances, each with its own associated causes and potential legal issues. Leading types of bike accidents include:

• Turning accidents: Many bicycle accidents occur when a bicyclist is turning and an approaching motorist fails to yield or misjudges the distance. Common scenarios include the “left cross” and the “right hook,” which frequently happen at Boulder’s protected bike lane intersections, where drivers fail to check blind spots before turning.
• Rear-end crashes: Rear-end accidents sometimes occur when motorists follow bicyclists too closely and ram into the back of them.
• Unsafe passing: Colorado law requires motorists to leave three feet of space between themselves and a bicyclist when completing a pass, but some violate it.
• Aggressive driving: Motorists sometimes get impatient around bicyclists. Some act out aggressively, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
• Dooring accidents: Dooring occurs when someone opens their door into an oncoming bicyclist’s pathway, often throwing the rider off their bike. These crashes are especially common in the Pearl Street and University Hill areas. In Colorado, the person opening the door is almost always 100% liable for failing to check for approaching traffic.
• Road defects: Some bicycle accidents are not due to the acts of a negligent motorist but instead are due to dangerous conditions on the road such as potholes, wet roads or uneven concrete.
• Defective bike parts: Defective bicycle parts, such as faulty brakes, can cause a bike to fail during a critical moment.

An experienced bike accident lawyer can review your case and determine who is responsible for your injuries. Likewise, if you are involved in a car accident, contact a Boulder car accident lawyer today.

Proving Fault Under Colorado’s “Safety Stop” And Comparative Negligence

Bicyclists can be hurt by drivers in many situations. This includes those that are a result of:

• Dooring (opening their door in the path of a bicycle rider)
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failing to yield

Understanding two critical Colorado laws can make or break your bicycle accident claim and determine how much compensation you can recover.

The Colorado Safety Stop

Since 2022, Colorado law has allowed cyclists ages 15 and older to treat stop signs as yield signs by slowing to a speed of 10 to 15 mph and proceeding when safe. Riders can also treat red lights as stop signs after coming to a complete stop and yielding to traffic. Insurance companies frequently claim that a cyclist “ran a stop sign” to deny claims. However, if you followed the safety stop protocol, you were riding lawfully and the driver who hit you remains liable. At Daniels & Scriven, P.C., we counter these false narratives by proving you obeyed Colorado’s bicycle laws.

The “51% Rule” And Comparative Negligence

Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-111, Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system. This means you can still pursue compensation even if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but only if your fault stays below 51%. For example, a cyclist found 20% at fault can still collect 80% of their total damages. The critical threshold is 51% – once your share of blame reaches or exceeds this point, the law bars you from any recovery whatsoever.

Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of blame to reduce or eliminate their payout. Our attorneys work to prove the driver’s negligence – such as speeding, distraction or failure to yield – outweighs any minor error on your part. You must file your claim within two years for most injury cases under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102(1) or three years for motor vehicle-related claims under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101.

The Legal Process: Building A Bicycle Accident Claim In Boulder

When a driver injures a cyclist, we build your case by proving negligence through four essential elements. At Daniels & Scriven, P.C., our attorneys gather evidence and construct a compelling claim on your behalf. When it comes to establishing negligence, consider these four pillars:

• Duty: Every driver owes cyclists a legal duty of care on the road. Colorado law creates specific obligations, including Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1003, which requires motorists to leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicycle.
• Breach: We prove the driver violated their duty. When a driver breaks a traffic law – such as failing to yield under Boulder’s cycling ordinances – we can establish “negligence per se,” which means the breach is automatic and legally presumed.
• Causation: We use accident reconstruction professionals to demonstrate that the driver’s actions directly caused your injuries. This evidence counters the common “I didn’t see them” defense, particularly in Boulder’s challenging conditions like sun glare on Baseline Road or shadows in canyon areas.
• Damages: We document all your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

While building a strong case on these four pillars is essential, meeting Colorado’s strict filing deadlines is equally critical to protecting your right to compensation.

Deadlines For Filing: Why 2026 Is A Critical Year For Your Claim

Most bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles fall under Colorado’s three-year statute of limitations (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101). However, if your accident involves a city-owned vehicle or a road defect on city property like the Boulder Creek Path, you face a strict 182-day notice requirement under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-10-109. Missing this deadline can destroy your claim entirely.

Modern Evidence For Modern Cyclists

Boulder’s tech-savvy cycling community generates valuable evidence. We use Strava and Garmin data to prove you traveled at safe speeds and followed safety stop protocols. We also obtain footage from Boulder’s expanding network of automated speed and red-light cameras. Residential doorbell cameras in neighborhoods like Mapleton Hill and Martin Acres often capture critical accident footage that supports your version of events.

Why Should You Choose Daniels & Scriven, P.C., To Represent You?

If you have been hurt in a bicycle crash, you can choose the lawyer you want to represent your legal interests. We believe Daniels & Scriven, P.C., is right for you because:

• We have extensive experience: Our personal injury attorneys have 50 years of combined legal experience advocating for the rights of personal injury victims. We can apply our knowledge to your case to determine all legal theories that are effectively designed to recover fair compensation for you.
• We care: Our law firm is focused on helping clients reclaim their lives after an injury that was not their fault. We visit with you at home, in the hospital or at other locations that are convenient, doing everything we can to make the legal process easier. We also help you find qualified health care providers to ensure your health is taken care of and relieve the stress of dealing with insurance companies.
• We are a full-service firm: We can handle every aspect of your claim from start to finish. This includes helping you apply for disability benefits if returning to work is not an option.
• We are well-respected: Our decades of legal experience working in the local legal community have garnered us a strong reputation as fierce advocates for our clients. Our many positive reviews show that we are a client-focused firm.
• We have a proven track record of success: Our personal injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.

Let us put our experience and knowledge to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Getting Help From A Boulder Bicycle Accident Attorney

After a bicycle accident, you deserve to be represented by a knowledgeable legal advocate who will fight for your rights. At Daniels & Scriven, P.C., we have more than 50 years of combined experience offering compassionate, skilled representation to those who have been harmed. Contact us at 720-303-8591 to schedule a free consultation with a Boulder bicycle accident attorney and find out more about how we can help you.