El Paso County · Lane change and blind spot
Colorado Springs Lane-Change Motorcycle Lawyers
Struck in a Colorado Springs lane change? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Driver Moves Into Your Lane
A lane-change crash happens when a driver moves out of their lane and into space a motorcyclist already occupies. These crashes are often caused by a driver who never checked a mirror, never looked over a shoulder, or misjudged how close the rider actually was. That failure to check before moving is the basis for a negligence claim.
Riders in these crashes are frequently blamed for simply being beside a car, as if riding next to another vehicle were itself careless. It isn't. A rider lawfully positioned in a lane has a right to be there, and a driver who changes lanes has a duty to make sure the lane is clear first.
At the same time, we don't assume the car driver is automatically at fault just because a lane change was involved. We look at where each vehicle was, how the collision occurred, and what each driver could and should have seen before we build the case.
What We Look At
The point of impact on the motorcycle tells us a great deal. A strike to the side or rear-side of the bike usually means the car moved into the rider's space, not the other way around. We look closely at where the damage sits on both vehicles to reconstruct who was actually encroaching on whom.
Beyond the vehicles themselves, we gather traffic and dash camera video where it exists, pull mirror and sightline evidence, and talk to witnesses who saw the lane change happen. Where the rider was positioned in the lane before impact matters too, and we work to establish that early before memories fade or footage is deleted.
- Get contact information for any witnesses at the scene
- Photograph both vehicles, focusing on where impact occurred
- Note the lane positions of both vehicles before the crash
- Seek medical care at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital if needed
- Avoid discussing fault with the other driver or their insurer
Colorado Springs Lane-Change Crashes
We see this pattern regularly on Colorado Springs' busiest multi-lane corridors, including Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, and Woodmen Road, where drivers weave between lanes in heavy traffic and often fail to spot a motorcycle before moving over. I-25 through the city presents the same risk at higher speeds, where a sudden lane change leaves little room for a rider to react.
Crashes also happen on narrower, slower streets around areas like Old Colorado City, where parked cars and turning traffic can make a driver's shoulder check feel unnecessary until it isn't. Wherever the crash occurs in El Paso County, if a case needs to be filed, it would go through El Paso County District Court. Our office is at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
What Riders Can Recover
- Medical expenses from the crash
- Future medical care if injuries require ongoing treatment
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to the motorcycle and gear
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Colorado 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.
Colorado Springs Lane change and blind spot FAQ
The driver said they never saw me. Does that help my case?
Not seeing a motorcycle before changing lanes is usually a sign the driver didn't check properly, not an excuse. We look at mirror positioning, sightlines, and witness accounts to show what a careful driver should have seen.
What if the insurance company says I was in the driver's blind spot?
That argument gets used often, but riding in a lane next to a car isn't fault by itself. We focus on lane position, point of impact, and available video to show where each vehicle actually was.
Is the driver always at fault in a lane-change crash?
No. We evaluate each crash on its facts, including where the rider was positioned and whether the rider had any opportunity to avoid the collision. Fault depends on the evidence, not assumptions.
What evidence matters most in these cases?
Point of impact on the motorcycle, lane position before the crash, mirror and sightline evidence, and any video or witness statements. Together these help show whether the driver moved into occupied space.
What does a free consultation involve?
We'll go over how the crash happened, what evidence exists, and what your options look like. There's no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Colorado Springs motorcycle crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.