What Laws Affect Motorcyclist Safety in Colorado?

 Posted on April 07, 2020 in Personal Injury

Operating a motorcycle in any state requires a certain level of responsibility, and this can often exceed the level of care needed to safely drive a passenger or commercial vehicle. Motorcyclists should be sure to follow all state laws. These laws are in place to help keep motorcyclists and their passengers safe and to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents. Many of these regulations might seem like common sense, but it is important for motorcyclists to be aware of considerations that do not necessarily apply to car drivers. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with laws and safety procedures before you hit the open road, and this can help you prevent crashes and serious injuries.

Colorado Motorcycle Laws

Even if you already consider yourself a cautious motorcyclist, it is best to fully understand the laws that you must follow. You should bear the following three categories in mind:

• Traffic Laws: Motorcyclists must abide by all standard traffic laws that drivers do, and there are a few key laws that apply only to motorcycles. You are not permitted to share the lane with an automobile. Although it is illegal for you to pass a car in the same lane on your motorcycle, you may share the lane with one other motorcycle. In addition, it is illegal to attach your motorcycle to another vehicle, whether it be another motorcycle, car, or truck.

• Passengers: If you bring someone along for the ride, you need to ensure that you and your passenger are in compliance with the laws and following the correct safety procedures. You should have footrests for any passenger with you, and he or she is required to use them. Also, any passenger must sit either behind you or in a sidecar, never in between you and the handles. Anyone who rides with you should also wear a helmet for protection, even when they are not required to do so by Colorado law. 

• Protection: Helmets are not required for motorcyclists aged 18 and over, but it is important to wear one for your own safety. Colorado requires motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear eye protection, and the most convenient way to always abide by that law is to wear a helmet with a built-in visor. If your helmet does not have a visor, make sure you wear goggles with safety glass or plastic so that any pebbles or other roadside debris cannot strike your eyes. 

Contact a Ft. Collins Motorcycle Accident Attorney 

Vehicle accidents are all-too-common in Colorado, and even if you follow the rules of the road and take necessary safety precautions, you can be seriously injured in a collision with another vehicle. In many cases, other drivers are at fault for a collision, including in situations where drivers do not pay attention to motorcycles or engage in reckless or aggressive behavior. If you or your loved one have been involved in a motorcycle crash, your injuries may be so severe that you cannot return to work. The experienced Larimer County personal injury lawyers of Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. are fully prepared to assist you. We will examine the details of your accident to determine liability, and we will help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at 970-225-2190 to schedule your free consultation.

Source:

https://www.codot.gov/safety/motorcycle/motorcycle-laws.html