Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Broomfield

You already know what people think. That the motorcycle is always at fault. That riders are reckless. That if you were on two wheels instead of four, whatever happened to you was somehow inevitable.

That bias is real. It exists in police reports, insurance adjusters’ minds, and sometimes even in jury boxes. But it does not change the law. If another driver failed to yield, changed lanes without looking, or turned left in front of you, you have a right to compensation. The vehicle you were riding does not forfeit that right.

The lawyers at McCormick & Murphy, P.C. represent motorcycle riders across Broomfield, Boulder, Westminster, Thornton, Arvada, and surrounding communities. We understand how motorcycle accident cases are treated differently, and we know how to push back when insurance companies or opposing counsel try to shift blame onto you simply because you were on a bike.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Get Treated Differently

A motorcycle accident is not just a smaller version of a car crash. The physics are different. The injuries are different. The investigation is different. And the assumptions people make about fault are absolutely different.

When two cars collide, investigators usually look at speed, lane position, and traffic signals. When a motorcycle is involved, the first questions are often: Was the rider wearing a helmet? Was the bike too loud? Was the rider lane-splitting or weaving?

Those questions are asked before anyone asks whether the driver in the SUV was texting, failed to check their blind spot, or turned left across oncoming traffic without yielding.

This bias shows up in police reports that use language like “the motorcycle struck the vehicle” instead of “the vehicle turned into the path of the motorcycle.” It shows up in insurance adjusters who lowball settlement offers because they assume a jury will side with the driver. And it shows up in delayed medical payments because the insurance company is “still investigating” whether the rider contributed to the crash.

Fighting that bias requires evidence, preparation, and a lawyer who knows what questions to ask and what experts to call.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Broomfield

Most motorcycle accidents in Broomfield and across Colorado are caused by drivers, not riders. The most frequent scenarios we see include:

• Left-turn collisions: A driver turns left across an intersection or out of a parking lot directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. This is the most common cause of serious motorcycle accidents, and it is almost always the fault of the turning driver.
• Lane-change accidents: A driver merges or changes lanes without seeing a motorcycle in the adjacent lane. Motorcycles occupy less visual space and are easier to miss, but that does not excuse a driver’s failure to check their mirrors and blind spots.
• Following too closely: A driver rear-ends a motorcycle at a stoplight or in traffic. Motorcycles can stop faster than cars, but that does not make the rider responsible when a driver is tailgating.
• Door strikes: A parked car opens a door into the path of a passing motorcycle. In Broomfield’s downtown areas and near shopping centers, this happens more often than it should.
• Road hazards: Potholes, gravel, uneven pavement, and debris that a car can drive over without incident can cause a motorcycle to lose control. If a government agency or contractor is responsible for the hazard, you may have a claim against them in addition to any other at-fault party.

In each of these cases, the liability should be clear. But clarity does not stop insurance companies from trying to argue that the rider was going too fast, should have anticipated the hazard, or “came out of nowhere.”

The Severity of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

When a car gets hit, the car absorbs most of the impact. When a motorcycle gets hit, the rider absorbs it. That is why motorcycle accidents result in catastrophic injuries at rates far higher than other vehicle collisions, even at lower speeds.

The most common injuries we see in motorcycle accident cases include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, even when a helmet was worn
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Fractures to the legs, pelvis, arms, and collarbone
• Road rash and soft tissue injuries requiring skin grafts
• Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma
• Amputation of limbs

These injuries often require multiple surgeries, months of physical therapy, and permanent lifestyle changes. Some riders never return to work. Some never ride again. The financial and emotional toll is not something that can be covered by a quick settlement check offered three weeks after the crash.

Insurance companies know this. They also know that if they delay long enough, a rider facing mounting medical bills and lost income might accept less than the case is worth just to get some relief. That is why having a lawyer early in the process matters.

Colorado Helmet Law and How It Affects Your Case

Colorado does not require adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Riders over 18 can legally choose whether to wear one.

That does not stop insurance companies and defense lawyers from bringing it up. If you were not wearing a helmet and you suffered a head injury, the other side will argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had worn one, and therefore your compensation should be reduced.

This argument has limits. First, not wearing a helmet does not make you at fault for the accident. If another driver caused the crash, they are still liable. Second, many head injuries occur even with helmets, and many motorcycle accident injuries have nothing to do with the head. Third, Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that even if the jury finds that not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault.

Will it complicate your case? Yes. Does it mean you have no case? Absolutely not.

The lawyers at McCormick & Murphy, P.C. handle these arguments regularly. We work with medical experts who can testify about the true cause of your injuries, and we challenge the defense’s assumptions with facts, not speculation.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Broomfield

The minutes and hours after a motorcycle accident can shape the outcome of your case. If you are physically able, take these steps:

• Call the police. Even if the other driver apologizes and offers to pay out of pocket, get an official report. Without one, there is no neutral record of what happened.
• Document the scene. Take photos of your bike, the other vehicle, the road conditions, skid marks, debris, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information.
• Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. A delayed medical visit gives the insurance company an opening to claim your injuries were not caused by the accident.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. They will ask leading questions designed to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries. Politely decline and tell them to contact your lawyer.
• Do not sign anything from the insurance company without reading it carefully. Some settlement offers are disguised as medical authorization forms or administrative paperwork. Once you sign, you may give up your right to pursue further compensation.
• Keep records of everything. Medical bills, repair estimates, lost wages, prescription receipts, and any other costs related to the accident. These records form the foundation of your claim.

If you were seriously injured and could not do any of these things at the scene, that is okay. A lawyer can often reconstruct what happened using police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction experts.

How Long You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Colorado

Colorado law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. That might sound like a long time, but evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses move. Surveillance footage gets deleted. Skid marks fade.

More importantly, the insurance company is already working on its defense the day after the accident. Adjusters are taking statements, reviewing the police report, and looking for ways to minimize their payout. Waiting to talk to a lawyer only gives them more time to build their case while yours sits still.

There are also situations where the deadline is shorter. If your accident involved a government vehicle or a road hazard caused by a city or county, you may have as little as 180 days to file a notice of claim. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to sue, no matter how strong your case is.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?

If another party caused your motorcycle accident, Colorado law allows you to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:

• Medical bills, including emergency treatment, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future medical care
• Lost wages from time off work, including future lost earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
• Property damage to your motorcycle and riding gear
• Out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation to medical appointments, prescription medications, and home modifications if you have a permanent disability

Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of companionship if your injuries affect your relationships

If the at-fault driver was driving under the influence, fled the scene, or acted with extreme recklessness, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

The total value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and how well your lawyer can present your story to the insurance company or a jury.

Why You Should Not Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company

Insurance companies move fast when they think they can close a case cheaply. You might get a call within days of the accident, before you have even seen all your medical bills, offering a lump sum to settle everything.

That offer is almost always too low. It does not account for future medical treatment, long-term disability, or the full extent of your non-economic damages. Once you accept it and sign the release, you cannot come back later and ask for more, even if your condition worsens.

Before you accept any settlement offer, talk to a lawyer. A motorcycle accident attorney can review the offer, calculate what your case is actually worth, and negotiate for a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to budge, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take the case to trial.

How McCormick & Murphy, P.C. Handles Motorcycle Accident Cases

The lawyers at McCormick & Murphy, P.C. represent injured riders across Broomfield, Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, and throughout Colorado. We know how these cases are won, and we know where they fall apart.

From the first consultation, we focus on building a case that speaks to what actually happened, not what the insurance company wants people to believe. That means working with accident reconstruction experts, reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and gathering medical evidence that shows the full impact of your injuries.

We also handle all communication with the insurance company. You do not have to give statements, return phone calls, or argue over medical records. We take that burden off you so you can focus on recovery.

If a fair settlement is not offered, we file a lawsuit and take the case to trial. Not every firm is willing to do that. Many will push clients to settle early because trials require time, preparation, and expense. We do not operate that way. If a trial is what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve, that is what we do.

Serving Motorcycle Riders Across Broomfield and Beyond

McCormick & Murphy, P.C. serves clients in Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Arvada, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Aurora, Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Morrison, Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey, Pine, Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley.

Our office is located at 1547 N Gaylord St UNIT 303, Denver, CO 80206. If you cannot travel due to your injuries, we can meet you at your home or hospital room.

Call McCormick & Murphy, P.C. After a Motorcycle Accident

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Broomfield or anywhere else in Colorado, call McCormick & Murphy, P.C. at 888-668-1182. The consultation is free. We will review the facts of your case, explain your options, and tell you what we think your case is worth. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay unless we win.

You have rights. You have options. And you do not have to accept the blame for an accident that someone else caused.