Are Motorcycle and Car Accident Claims Different in Colorado?

 Posted on June 11, 2025 in Car Accident

While car accidents can result in severe injuries and significant property damage, motorcycle crashes are inherently more dangerous, given the vulnerable nature of riding. In Colorado, dangerous mountain passes and inexperienced drivers significantly increase the risks for motorcyclists, and negligence is a common cause of many deadly crashes. If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s reckless driving, a Fort Collins, CO car accident attorney can help you build a strong claim to recover your losses.

What Are Some Special Considerations for Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado?

Motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries than car accidents, which typically means that the value of motorcycle claims are higher. Therefore, medical considerations are sometimes more prevalent for injured motorcyclists. For example, you may need to prove that your injuries had a substantial impact on your quality of life, hindering you from enjoying your hobbies or doing activities that you used to do. 

Insurance companies also handle motorcycle accidents differently. You may encounter bias against riders because insurers often assume motorcyclists are more careless when driving. Having an aggressive legal representative is invaluable in this situation. Your attorney will fight to protect you from invalid claim denials or unfair settlement offers. Keeping proper documentation in these cases is critical to a successful claim. Talk to your attorney about the type of evidence you need to support your claims of negligence and damages.

Expert Witnesses in Colorado Motorcycle Accident Claims

Under Colorado law, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff in a civil case. Therefore, to recover damages, you are responsible for proving that you suffered injuries as a result of the other party’s negligence. In a motorcycle accident case, various expert witnesses can play a vital role in helping you prove your claim, including:

• Medical professionals

• Accident reconstructionists

• Forensic accountants

• Vocational rehabilitation specialists

• Automotive experts

Talk to your attorney about the types of experts who could strengthen your case. 

Does Comparative Negligence Work Differently in a Colorado Motorcycle Accident Case?

Comparative negligence laws in Colorado allow you to recover a portion of damages even if you are partially responsible for the accident. However, you cannot be more than 50 percent at fault. For example, if you are 20 percent liable, you can still recover 80 percent of the total value of the damages you incurred. This same law applies in Colorado car accident cases.

How Are Property Damage Claims Different in Motorcycle vs. Car Accidents?

Property damage claims can be more complex in motorcycle accidents than they are in car accident cases. If your motorcycle has custom parts or expensive modifications, standard insurance policies may not fully cover the cost of damages caused by the accident. If you have receipts for the gear and modifications on your bike, they could be useful for your claim.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Fort Collins, CO Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Given the severe nature of many motorcycle accidents and the potential for extensive damages, victims should consider legal representation. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, the experienced Larimer County, CO motorcycle accident lawyer at Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. will guide you through the complexities that are common in these cases, protecting you from bad faith insurance practices and ensuring that your claim for damages adequately reflects what you lost. Call 970-225-2190 to schedule a free consultation today. Se habla Español.