Adams County · Rider fault and comparative negligence
Brighton Motorcycle Rider Fault Lawyers
Brighton motorcycle rider fault lawyers for riders hurt in Brighton. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
When Insurers Blame the Rider
McCormick & Murphy are Brighton motorcycle rider fault lawyers for riders blamed for speed, lane position, or not being seen. We file in Adams County Justice Center.
After a Brighton motorcycle crash, the insurance company for the other driver often looks for a reason to point the finger at the rider. They may claim you were speeding, riding in the wrong part of the lane, or hard to see. These are arguments an adjuster raises to reduce what they pay, and they need to be checked against the actual facts, not accepted at face value.
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑111, allows a rider's recovery to be reduced by their own percentage of fault. If a rider is found equally or more at fault than the other driver, recovery can be barred entirely. That makes it important to push back on inflated or unsupported fault claims early, before they shape how an insurer values the claim.
A police report written at the scene is one piece of the record, not the final word. Officers responding to a crash on U.S. Highway 85 or near Bromley Lane don't always have the full picture, and reports can contain assumptions that don't hold up once the evidence is reviewed.
Building the Real Picture of the Crash
We look at skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, traffic signals, and roadway conditions to understand how a crash actually happened. Debris fields and final rest positions can show speed and lane position more reliably than a driver's after-the-fact account. Surveillance or dash-cam video from nearby businesses or vehicles can also confirm or contradict what an insurer is arguing.
Witness statements matter too, especially in areas with steady traffic like Bridge Street or the corridors connecting Brighton to Commerce City and Thornton. Someone who saw the crash unfold, or who saw the other driver's actions before impact, can directly counter a claim that the rider was at fault. We gather this evidence while it's still available, because memories fade and video gets overwritten.
- Photos of the bike, both vehicles, and the roadway
- Contact information for any witnesses at the scene
- Copies of the police report and any body-cam references
- Names of nearby businesses that may have video
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
Brighton Roads and Fault Disputes
Motorcycle crashes we see in Brighton often happen along U.S. Highway 85, at intersections near Bromley Lane, or in the busier stretches around Bridge Street. These are areas with a mix of local traffic and drivers passing through toward Commerce City or Thornton, and speed or lane-position disputes come up often in the crashes that occur there.
If your case goes into litigation, it would likely be handled through the Adams County Justice Center. Injured riders are sometimes treated at Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital, and those medical records can become an important part of showing what happened and how serious the injuries were, separate from any fault argument the insurer raises.
What a Fault Dispute Can Affect
- Medical treatment and future care costs
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and physical limitations from your injuries
- Damage to your motorcycle and gear
- Long-term or permanent impairment
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Brighton — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Brighton Motorcycle Rider Fault Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Brighton motorcycle rider fault lawyers after a crash?
Call Brighton motorcycle rider fault lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The nearest office is in Denver, CO.
What if the insurer says I was speeding?
That's a claim we investigate, not something we accept automatically. Roadway evidence, crash dynamics, and witness accounts often tell a different story than what the insurer assumes.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Colorado's comparative negligence law allows recovery to be reduced by your share of fault, as long as your fault isn't equal to or greater than the other driver's. See our comparative-negligence guide for how the shared-fault rule works.
Does the police report decide who was at fault?
No. The report is one piece of evidence, but it isn't the final determination of fault. Physical evidence and witness statements can support a different conclusion.
What if there's no video of the crash?
Video helps, but it isn't the only way to reconstruct a crash. Skid marks, vehicle damage, and witness accounts can also establish how the collision happened.
How soon should I start gathering evidence?
As soon as possible. Witness memories fade and video from nearby businesses can be overwritten, so early collection helps preserve the strongest version of your case.
Discuss a Brighton motorcycle crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.