Colorado Springs Bicycle Accident Lawyer

• Right and left turns present serious risks to cyclists traveling straight in designated bike lanes or shoulders. Drivers may not check mirrors or blind spots before making a turn.
• These collisions, known as “right hook” or “left cross” accidents, are common on roads like Academy Boulevard, Austin Bluffs Parkway, and Union Boulevard, where turning traffic often intersects with bike routes.
• Failure to yield at crosswalks or when entering traffic from driveways or parking lots is another major issue in Colorado Springs.

2. Distracted Driving

• Even a few seconds of inattention can cause a driver to drift into a bike lane, miss a stop sign, or fail to notice a cyclist crossing the street.
• Common distractions include texting, adjusting the GPS, eating, changing music, or talking to passengers.
• Areas with dense vehicle and bike traffic, like downtown Colorado Springs, see higher rates of distracted driving incidents due to congestion and multitasking drivers.

• Colorado Springs has many streets with parallel parking adjacent to bike lanes, particularly in commercial and downtown areas.
• When drivers or passengers fail to check for oncoming cyclists before opening their door, the cyclist can be thrown from the bike, suffer serious injuries, or be forced into traffic.
• Victims of dooring incidents often suffer facial injuries, broken wrists, and concussions.

4. Speeding or Reckless Driving in Residential or Mixed-Use Areas

• In neighborhoods like Briargate, Broadmoor, and Old North End, posted speed limits are frequently ignored by impatient drivers.
• Speeding drivers often misjudge distances or fail to respect the presence of cyclists, especially when no dedicated bike lanes are present.
• Reckless driving behaviors, such as tailgating, running stop signs, or aggressive lane changes, are particularly dangerous for cyclists due to their exposure and vulnerability.

5. Poorly Maintained Roadways, Potholes, or Debris in Bike Lanes

• Potholes, cracked asphalt, uneven pavement, and construction debris are especially hazardous for cyclists, whose tires can be easily caught or deflected by irregular surfaces.
• Bike lanes and shoulders in Colorado Springs often go unmaintained, leaving cyclists with no choice but to veer into vehicle lanes to avoid dangerous obstructions.
• Wet leaves, gravel, or snow left uncleared from bike routes pose serious skid hazards, particularly in the city’s foothills or after seasonal storms.

6. Failure to Obey Traffic Laws, Including Red Lights and Stop Signs

• Running red lights, rolling through stop signs, or failing to yield at intersections are all common in high-traffic corridors throughout Colorado Springs.
• These violations are especially dangerous at intersections lacking proper signaling or where visibility is reduced by parked cars or foliage.
• Cyclists who enter intersections lawfully are often struck by drivers who wrongly assume the right-of-way or are simply not paying attention.

7. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

• Impaired drivers have delayed reaction times, blurred vision, and poor judgment, all of which make them far less likely to notice or respect cyclists on the road.
• Late-night and weekend hours see the highest incidence of DUI-related crashes, particularly near entertainment districts, bars, and highways.

Where Are Bicycle Accidents Most Common in Colorado Springs?

• Downtown Colorado Springs: With narrow streets, busy intersections, and limited bike infrastructure, areas around Tejon Street and Cascade Avenue pose serious risks to cyclists, especially during peak traffic hours.
• Academy Boulevard and Powers Boulevard: These major thoroughfares are known for speeding vehicles and limited bike lane access, making them extremely dangerous for cyclists trying to share the road.
• Intersections and Crosswalks: Many bike crashes occur when drivers turn left or right without checking for cyclists traveling straight through intersections, particularly along Uintah Street, Constitution Avenue, and Nevada Avenue.
• Near Parks and Schools: Areas surrounding Palmer Park, Monument Valley Park, and Colorado College often see a mix of foot and bike traffic. Without clear signage or separated paths, these areas can be hazardous.
• Residential Neighborhoods: Drivers often back out of driveways or roll through stop signs without seeing approaching cyclists on residential streets like those in Briargate, Old Colorado City, or the Broadmoor area.
• Multi-use Trails and Sidewalk Crossings: While trails like the Pikes Peak Greenway offer safe biking routes, entrances and exits near roads and driveways can still be dangerous if drivers fail to yield.