Jefferson County · Rider fault and comparative negligence
Wheat Ridge Motorcycle Rider Fault Lawyers
Wheat Ridge motorcycle rider fault lawyers for riders hurt in Wheat Ridge. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
When Insurers Blame the Rider
McCormick & Murphy are Wheat Ridge motorcycle rider fault lawyers for riders blamed for speed, lane position, or not being seen.
After a crash on I-70 or Wadsworth Boulevard, the insurance company's first move is often to blame the motorcyclist. They point to speed, lane position, or claim the rider wasn't visible to the other driver. These are arguments an adjuster makes to reduce what they owe, not proven facts.
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑111, allows a rider's recovery to be reduced by their own share of fault. If the rider's negligence is found to be equal to or greater than the other driver's, recovery is barred entirely. That makes the fault fight central to any claim, and it's why we push back on assumptions early rather than letting them stand unchallenged.
We've seen these arguments raised after crashes near Kipling Street and West 38th Avenue, where sightlines, turning traffic, and lane merges get used against riders even when the other driver made the unsafe move. Investigating the real cause of the crash, rather than accepting the insurer's framing, is where the case gets decided.
Building the Fault Picture
The police report is a starting point, not the final word. Officers responding to a crash near Arvada or along Wadsworth Boulevard often write down what a driver told them without verifying it against skid marks, debris fields, or traffic signal timing. We look at the physical evidence at the scene to see whether it supports or contradicts that account.
Video from nearby businesses, doorbell cameras, and traffic cameras along corridors like I-70 can show what actually happened in the seconds before impact. Witness statements matter too, especially from people who saw the crash unfold rather than just the aftermath. Together, this evidence can shift the fault picture away from the insurer's first version of events.
- Photos of the crash scene, bike position, and road markings
- Contact information for anyone who witnessed the crash
- Any video from nearby cameras before it's deleted
- Your own notes on what you saw and did leading up to impact
- Medical records connecting your injuries to the crash
Wheat Ridge Crash Investigations
Wheat Ridge sits along busy commuter routes, and crashes involving motorcycles are often reported and investigated by local police before working through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. Riders treated at Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital after a crash on Wadsworth Boulevard or Kipling Street should know that hospital records, along with scene evidence, can support their side of the story when insurers try to shift blame.
We work with clients across Wheat Ridge and nearby Arvada to gather the evidence needed before an insurer's version of events becomes the accepted one. Our office is based in Denver, but we handle these investigations throughout the Jefferson County area.
What May Be Recovered
- Medical expenses related to the crash
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to the motorcycle
- Future medical care tied to lasting injuries
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Wheat Ridge — 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.
Wheat Ridge Motorcycle Rider Fault Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Wheat Ridge motorcycle rider fault lawyers after a crash?
Call Wheat Ridge 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 police report says I was at fault?
A police report is not the final determination of fault. We often find physical evidence, video, or witness accounts that tell a different story than what an officer wrote down at the scene.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Colorado's comparative negligence law allows recovery to be reduced by your share of fault, but it doesn't automatically bar your claim. Recovery is only barred if your negligence is equal to or greater than the other driver's.
Why do insurers focus on lane position and speed?
Arguing the rider was speeding or in the wrong lane position shifts blame and reduces what the insurer has to pay. These claims need to be checked against real evidence rather than accepted at face value.
What evidence helps counter a fault argument?
Scene photos, nearby video footage, witness statements, and a careful review of the road conditions can all help establish what really happened. This evidence often contradicts the insurer's initial assumptions about the rider.
Where do these cases get handled if they go to court?
Motorcycle crash cases arising in Wheat Ridge typically proceed through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We handle these matters from our Denver office and work throughout the surrounding area.
Discuss a Wheat Ridge motorcycle crash
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.