El Paso County · Rider fault and comparative negligence
Manitou Springs Motorcycle Rider Fault Lawyers
Manitou Springs motorcycle rider fault lawyers for riders hurt in Manitou Springs. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
When Insurers Try to Pin the Crash on the Rider
McCormick & Murphy are Manitou Springs motorcycle rider fault lawyers for riders blamed for speed, lane position, or not being seen. We file in El Paso County Combined Courts.
After a motorcycle crash on Manitou Avenue or U.S. Highway 24, insurance adjusters look for a reason to shift blame to the rider. They point to speed, lane position, or claim the rider wasn't visible to the other driver. These are arguments the insurer needs to investigate and prove, not conclusions we accept at face value.
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑111, allows a rider's recovery to be reduced by their share of fault. If that share is found to be as great as or greater than the other driver's negligence, recovery is barred entirely. That makes the fault fight central to what a rider can recover, and it's why we push back on insurer assumptions from the start.
A police report is a starting point, not the final word. We've seen crash reports on tight, winding roads like Ruxton Avenue get the sequence of events wrong or rely on an incomplete witness statement. Our job is to test those assumptions against the physical evidence before an insurer's version of fault becomes the accepted one.
Building the Real Picture of Fault
The roads around Manitou Springs present real challenges: narrow curves near Ruxton Avenue, heavy tourist traffic through Old Colorado City, and the merge points along U.S. Highway 24 where drivers turn without checking for motorcycles. We look at skid marks, debris fields, vehicle damage patterns, and traffic camera or business surveillance footage to reconstruct what actually happened, not what an adjuster assumes happened.
Witness accounts matter too, especially in areas with heavy foot and vehicle traffic like Manitou Avenue. We track down people who saw the crash before memories fade, and we compare their accounts against the physical evidence. When medical records from providers like UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central document the rider's position or injury pattern, that evidence can also help clarify how the collision actually occurred.
- Photos of the crash scene, road markings, and vehicle positions
- Contact information for any witnesses on scene
- Your own account of the crash, written down while memory is fresh
- Helmet, gear, and motorcycle damage before repairs or disposal
- Copies of the police report and any bodycam or dashcam footage
Manitou Springs Roads and Fault Disputes
Manitou Springs draws heavy seasonal tourist traffic, and that mix of unfamiliar drivers, pedestrians, and parked-car congestion along Manitou Avenue creates conditions ripe for fault disputes. Drivers unfamiliar with the area often misjudge motorcycle speed or fail to check mirrors before turning, then later claim the rider came out of nowhere.
Crashes involving U.S. Highway 24 or the connection points into Colorado Springs often bring in multiple jurisdictions and more complex evidence gathering. We handle these claims from our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs and are prepared to bring a case in El Paso County Combined Courts when a fair settlement isn't offered.
What's at Stake When Fault Is Disputed
- Medical expenses tied to the crash
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to the motorcycle and gear
- Future medical or rehabilitation needs
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Manitou Springs — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Manitou Springs Motorcycle Rider Fault Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Manitou Springs motorcycle rider fault lawyers after a crash?
Call Manitou Springs 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 at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
What if the insurance company says I was speeding?
A speeding claim by an insurer is an allegation, not proof. We look at physical evidence like skid marks, vehicle damage, and any available video before accepting that characterization.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Under Colorado law, you can still recover if your share of fault is less than the other driver's negligence, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If your fault is equal to or greater than the other driver's, recovery is barred.
Does the police report decide who was at fault?
No. The report is one piece of evidence, but it doesn't control the outcome of a claim. We regularly find that additional witness statements or physical evidence tell a different story than the initial report.
What if there were no witnesses to my crash?
Even without witnesses, physical evidence at the scene, vehicle damage, and any nearby camera footage can help establish what happened. We investigate every available source before accepting an insurer's version of events.
How do you handle a fault dispute case?
We start by gathering all available evidence and comparing it against the insurer's claims. If a fair resolution isn't reached, we're prepared to file in El Paso County Combined Courts to protect your right to recovery.
Discuss a Manitou Springs motorcycle crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.