Taking Legal Action After a Colorado E-Bike Accident with a Car

 Posted on August 06, 2026 in Personal Injury

E-bike crashes with cars are becoming more common in Colorado. If a careless driver caused your injuries, you may have the right to recover compensation.

As more people ride e-bikes, questions about fault and insurance claims are becoming more common as well. Knowing your rights after a crash can help protect your claim. If you were hurt in an e-bike accident, a Fort Collins, CO car accident attorney can explain your legal options in 2026.

Why Are More E-Bike Crashes Happening?

E-bikes are faster than traditional bicycles and allow riders to travel farther with less effort. As they become more popular, more riders are sharing the road with cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Many crashes happen because drivers do not expect an e-bike to be traveling as fast as it is. A driver may pull out into traffic, turn left in front of a rider, or pass too closely. Speeding, distracted driving, and failing to yield can also lead to serious collisions.

Recent research has found that e-bike injuries have increased as more people choose e-bikes for transportation and recreation. According to a JAMA Network Open study on e-bike injuries, emergency department visits have risen sharply in recent years. This trend shows why both drivers and riders need to stay alert and follow the rules of the road. 

Who Is Responsible for an E-Bike Accident with a Car?

In many cases, a car’s driver is responsible for causing a crash with an e-bike. However, an e-bike rider may also share some responsibility if the rider failed to follow traffic laws or acted carelessly.

Some of the most common causes of e-bike crashes include:

• Distracted driving

• Failing to yield the right of way

• Speeding

• Following too closely

• Running a stop sign or traffic signal

Colorado generally treats most e-bikes like bicycles under state law. Drivers and riders both have a duty to use reasonable care and obey traffic laws. When someone breaks those rules and causes a crash, that person may be responsible for the injuries that follow.

Colorado also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under C.R.S. § 13-21-111. If you are partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found more at fault than the other party, you generally cannot recover damages.

What Compensation Can You Recover After an E-Bike Accident in Colorado? 

A serious e-bike accident can leave you with expensive medical bills and weeks or even months away from work. Some injuries may require ongoing treatment or make it harder to return to your job.

If another person's negligence caused the crash, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatment, pain and suffering, and damage to your e-bike. The amount you recover depends on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the available insurance coverage.

Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly. They may also argue that the rider was partly at fault in order to reduce the amount they have to pay. Before accepting a settlement, it is important to understand the full value of your claim.

How Long Do You Have to File an E-Bike Accident Claim?

If your injuries were caused by a crash involving a motor vehicle, Colorado generally gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit under C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n).

Witnesses may forget important details. Traffic camera or security footage may be deleted. Other evidence can also disappear. 

Three years may seem like a long time, but it can pass quickly, especially when you’re recovering from serious injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one. Plus, the longer you wait after an accident to take action, the harder it is to find evidence supporting your claim. Speaking with an attorney soon after the accident can help protect your claim. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Fort Collins, CO E-Bike and E-Scooter Accident Attorney

If you were injured in an e-bike accident caused by a careless driver, Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. can review your case and explain your legal options. Attorney Hoggatt is a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Workers' Compensation Education Association. Call 970-225-2190 today to schedule your free consultation with a Larimer County, CO personal injury lawyer.

Se habla español.