If you need a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer after a serious crash, this guide is for motorcycle riders and families in Colorado Springs who have suffered injuries in a crash. It covers your legal rights, the compensation you may be entitled to, and how a specialized motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate insurance disputes and legal deadlines. Motorcycle riders on Colorado Springs roads face risks that drivers of enclosed vehicles do not. When a crash happens, the injuries are often catastrophic, the medical bills are immediate, and insurance companies start building their case before the injured rider leaves the hospital. This page explains what Colorado law requires, what compensation may be available, and how Johnston Law Firm, LLC can help. The topic matters because serious injuries, insurance tactics, and strict legal deadlines can all impact your ability to recover fair compensation after a motorcycle accident.
Johnston Law Firm, LLC is based in Pueblo and represents injured motorcycle riders and their families throughout Colorado Springs, El Paso County, and Southern Colorado after serious motorcycle accidents, including those involving spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic harm.
Consultations are free. Most motorcycle accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, which means no attorney fees unless there is a recovery. Call (719) 309-9484 or message us online to get started.
Colorado law generally gives injured riders three years from the date of a motorcycle crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against government entities require written notice within 182 days. Waiting too long can permanently destroy a valid claim.
Attorney Stephen M. Johnston has practiced law in Colorado since 2002, with over two decades of trial experience handling personal injury, automobile accidents, workers' compensation, Social Security, criminal law, and estate planning cases across El Paso, Pueblo, Otero, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Crowley Counties.
The sections below cover Colorado motorcycle laws, common causes and serious injuries in motorcycle crashes, fault and insurance disputes, comparative negligence, and how a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer at Johnston Law Firm pursues fair compensation for injured riders.
Motorcycle accidents on I-25, Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, and Highway 24 around Colorado Springs produce some of the worst injuries seen in any motor vehicle collision. Without a steel frame, airbags, or a crumple zone, motorcycle riders absorb the full force of impact with pavement, guardrails, and other vehicles. In 2024, 17 motorcycle fatalities occurred in Colorado Springs alone; by late 2025, that number had climbed to at least 20, according to Colorado Springs city records. Statewide, motorcycle fatalities rose 22% year-over-year in recent reporting periods.
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to check mirrors, run red lights, or turn left across an oncoming rider's path. Despite this, motorcycle accident victims are often blamed for the collision by insurance adjusters who assume riders were speeding or being reckless. That bias is not the law; it is a tactic.
Johnston Law Firm, LLC is headquartered in Pueblo and regularly represents injured motorcyclists and families in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, and surrounding counties including Otero, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Crowley. If you or a family member suffer severe injuries in a motorcycle crash, call (719) 309-9484 for a free motorcycle accident consultation, or send us a message online if you cannot travel.

A motorcycle accident claim is one of many motorcycle claims that require different handling than a standard car accident case. Injury severity is almost always higher: riders suffer broken bones, road rash, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries at rates that dwarf those seen in passenger vehicle collisions. Motorcycling cases involve distinct physics and specific traffic statutes that a general practitioner may not understand. Proving negligence requires showing the other driver breached a duty of care, and building that proof demands familiarity with motorcycle dynamics, stopping distances, and visibility factors unique to two-wheeled vehicles.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame to motorcyclists. Adjusters may argue the rider appeared "out of nowhere," was traveling too fast, or should have been more visible. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer counters those claims with evidence from the accident scene, and Johnston Law Firm represents victims who need Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyers: photographs of skid marks, debris patterns, traffic signal timing records, and, when needed, analysis from accident reconstruction experts. Motorcycle accident injuries can involve complex liability issues and visibility concerns that require this level of preparation.
The financial stakes reflect the injury severity. Extensive medical treatment for a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury can reach six or seven figures over a lifetime. Lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and chronic pain compound those losses. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney familiar with Colorado Springs courts and El Paso County procedures can present the full scope of damages rather than accepting a lowball offer.
Before you speak with the other driver's insurance company, call (719) 309-9484. What you say in that first conversation can be used against you.
Stephen M. Johnston has practiced law since 2002, focusing on workers' compensation, personal injury, automobile accidents, Social Security, criminal defense, and estate planning, and he brings that background to his work as one of the firm's experienced personal injury attorneys. He is admitted to practice in Colorado and Wyoming, the U.S. District Courts for both states, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He has litigated hundreds of cases before the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts, the Industrial Claim Appeals Office, state district courts, and appellate courts. That record includes motorcycle accident cases where comparative fault arguments, contested medical evidence, and insurer resistance demanded trial-ready preparation.
The firm is intentionally small. Clients work directly with Steve Johnston, not a rotating cast of paralegals or "case managers." His team includes Candice Briggs (Paralegal) and Lisa Serna (Legal Assistant), who keep cases organized, deadlines tracked, and clients informed at every stage. Communication is clear and responsive because the firm handles a manageable caseload rather than operating as a high-volume mill.
Although headquartered in Pueblo, Johnston Law Firm routinely represents motorcycle accident victims from Colorado Springs and across Southern and central Colorado, including rural counties where local legal resources may be limited. When you call, you talk to an attorney about your motorcycle accident, your options, and your next steps.

Most motorcycle accidents in Colorado Springs arise from preventable errors by other drivers, not from risky riding. Colorado Springs Police Department crash reports and local news accounts repeatedly identify the same patterns.
Left-turn collisions at intersections rank among the most frequent. A driver turning left across Platte Avenue, Nevada Avenue, or Academy Boulevard misjudges the speed or distance of an approaching motorcycle and turns directly into its path. On July 27, 2025, a rider turning left from Platte Avenue onto North Weber Street lost control and died; neither the rider nor the passenger was wearing a helmet. In July 2026, a motorcyclist on East Platte Avenue rear-ended a slowing RV and was ejected, sustaining life-threatening injuries despite wearing a helmet. These crashes illustrate how varied the causes and circumstances can be.
Unsafe lane changes on I-25 account for another large share. Drivers fail to check blind spots and merge into a lane occupied by a motorcycle. Failure to yield at on-ramps, tailgating, speeding, and distracted driving round out the list. When a driver admits "I didn't see the motorcycle," that statement is evidence of negligence, not an excuse.
Road hazards specific to the Colorado Springs area also create danger: loose gravel on mountain roads, potholes along county highways, ice in shaded sections during shoulder seasons, and sudden weather shifts above 6,000 feet. These conditions can trigger single-bike crashes and, in some cases, claims against the government entity responsible for road maintenance.
Identifying the true cause of the motorcycle accident is the first step toward recovering fair compensation.
Motorcyclists face higher injury severity than occupants of enclosed motor vehicles because there is nothing between the rider and the point of impact. No steel frame absorbs force. No airbag cushions the collision. Riders often suffer severe injuries because their bodies take the hit directly.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions with delayed symptoms to severe closed-head injuries that cause permanent cognitive and physical deficits. Motorcycle accidents often result in traumatic brain injuries even at moderate speeds.
Spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or complete paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel function, and lifelong dependence on assistive devices.
Complex and compound fractures of the femur, pelvis, wrist, and clavicle. Bone fractures from motorcycle crashes can require extensive surgery, hardware implantation, and months of rehabilitation.
Road rash, which involves layers of skin being scraped away on pavement. Deep road rash carries risk of infection, nerve damage, and permanent scarring.
Internal organ damage from blunt-force impact with a vehicle, the ground, or fixed objects.
Amputations of fingers, hands, feet, or legs when limbs are crushed or trapped.
Nerve damage that can result in chronic pain or permanent disability in affected limbs.
These serious injuries often require emergency surgery at hospitals such as UCHealth Memorial or Penrose-St. Francis, followed by months or years of rehabilitation. The long-term consequences can include inability to return to prior employment, need for wheelchair-accessible housing, lifelong pain management, and psychological impacts like PTSD and depression.
Johnston Law Firm works with treating physicians, rehabilitation specialists, and, when necessary, independent medical professionals to document injury severity and future care needs. That documentation is what separates a fair settlement from an inadequate one.
Colorado motorcycle riders must follow the same traffic laws as other motor vehicle operators, plus specific rules governing lane position, passenger requirements, equipment, and licensing. Compliance with these Colorado motorcycle laws does more than keep riders safe; it also strengthens a personal injury claim by eliminating grounds for the defense to argue the rider caused the crash.
Riders can consult the Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook published by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles for a full breakdown of licensing requirements, equipment standards, and riding techniques. Key rules include maintaining a proper lane position, using turn signals, keeping headlights on at all times, and adhering to posted speed limits.
Even when a rider may have made a minor mistake, such as briefly exceeding the speed limit or failing to signal a lane change, Colorado law does not automatically bar recovery. Colorado's modified comparative negligence rule allows an injured rider to recover compensation as long as they are not mostly at fault. The question in every motorcycle accident case is whether the other driver's negligence was the primary cause of the crash.
Colorado requires helmets for riders under 18 years old. Adults in Colorado are not required to wear helmets, though eye protection is mandatory for all riders regardless of age.
Not wearing a helmet does not bar a motorcycle accident claim in Colorado. The Colorado Supreme Court held in Dare v. Sobule (1984) that failure to wear a helmet is not admissible to establish comparative negligence. Insurance companies sometimes argue that the absence of a helmet should reduce damages for head injuries and brain injuries, but a lawyer can push back on that argument by focusing on the at-fault driver's conduct and on the many motorcycle crash injuries that helmets cannot prevent: spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, road rash, and nerve damage.
From a motorcycle safety standpoint, riders benefit from DOT-approved helmets, armored jackets, gloves, boots, and high-visibility gear. Wearing protective equipment reduces the risk of certain injuries. From a legal standpoint, rights still exist even if full gear was not worn at the time of the accident.
One point riders often overlook: damaged helmets, jackets, and gloves are physical evidence. After a crash, preserve all gear rather than discarding or cleaning it. Scrape marks, impact dents, and material tears help reconstruct the collision and demonstrate the forces involved.
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence system for personal injury and motor vehicle cases, including motorcycle accidents. This means you can recover damages if you are found less than 50% at fault, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
The rule works in concrete terms. If a rider is found 50% or less at fault for the motorcycle accident, they can recover damages, but the award is reduced by their percentage of fault. If a rider is found 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages at all.
A simple example: if total damages in a motorcycle accident case equal $200,000 and a jury determines the rider was 20% at fault (perhaps for traveling 5 mph over the speed limit), the rider's recovery is reduced to $160,000. If the rider were found 51% at fault, recovery would be zero.
Insurance adjusters use this threshold aggressively. They sometimes overstate a motorcyclist's alleged speeding, claim the rider failed to take evasive action, or argue that lane positioning contributed to the crash. The goal is to push the rider's fault percentage above 50% and eliminate the insurer's obligation to pay. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer uses scene evidence, witness statements, crash reconstruction data, and expert testimony to challenge those inflated fault allegations.
Do not assume you have no case because a police report suggests shared fault. Police reports are one piece of evidence; they are not final determinations of legal liability. Call (719) 309-9484 or contact us online for a second opinion on your motorcycle accident claim.
Colorado passed SB24-079, effective August 7, 2024, authorizing limited lane filtering under specific conditions. A two-wheeled motorcycle may pass between vehicles traveling in the same direction when traffic is stopped, lanes are wide enough for safe passage, and the motorcycle does not exceed 15 mph. The law prohibits passing on the right shoulder, filtering in the farthest right lane on non-limited-access roads, and filtering into opposing traffic lanes.
Lane filtering is not lane splitting. Lane splitting at highway speeds or in moving traffic remains illegal in Colorado. The CDOT safety bulletin on SB24-079 clarifies these distinctions. The authorization is structured as a trial period set to expire or be reviewed by September 1, 2027, after CDOT reports on rear-end crash rates, sideswipe crashes, and crash severity in filtering versus non-filtering situations.
Confusion about the law can lead to fault disputes in a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident. If a rider was lane filtering when the crash occurred, the question is whether the filtering complied with every condition in the statute. Even if a rider was filtering, fault is not automatic; the focus remains on whether each party followed Colorado motorcycle laws and acted reasonably.
Riders involved in a crash while lane filtering should consult a lawyer promptly. Dashcam footage, surveillance video from nearby businesses, and traffic camera recordings can confirm whether conditions met the statute's requirements, but that evidence can be overwritten or deleted within days.
The minutes and hours after a motorcycle crash shape the strength of every claim that follows. Here is what an injured rider or passenger should do.
If physically able, move to the shoulder or sidewalk to avoid secondary collisions. Call 911 to report the accident immediately. Law enforcement, whether the Colorado Springs Police Department or El Paso County Sheriff, will document the accident scene, interview parties, and generate a crash report that becomes foundational evidence.
Accept the on-scene medical evaluation from paramedics. Then follow up at an emergency room or urgent care the same day, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries, including internal bleeding, concussions, and spinal fractures, produce delayed symptoms. Seeking medical treatment the same day as the accident creates a documented link between the crash and the injury. Keep records of medical bills and repair estimates from the outset.
Evidence from the accident scene is crucial for proving fault. Use your phone to photograph the roadway, all vehicles involved, skid marks, debris fields, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect the names, phone numbers, and insurance information of all drivers. Get contact information for any witnesses. Do not move or repair your motorcycle after an accident; its condition, resting position, and damage patterns are evidence.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster at the scene. Do not admit fault or apologize. Insurance adjusters for the at-fault driver's insurance company will use your own words to reduce or deny your claim. Instead, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as practical.
Call (719) 309-9484 from the scene or the hospital, or send us a message online, so Johnston Law Firm can help guide your next steps and protect your motorcycle accident claim.

Compensation after a motorcycle accident is intended to make the injured rider as whole as possible under the law. Damages fall into two broad categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses:
Past and future medical expenses: emergency room care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and assistive devices
Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery
Loss of future earning capacity if the rider can no longer perform their prior job or work at all
Property damage: the motorcycle itself, custom parts, helmets, and protective gear
Non-economic damages address harms that do not carry a receipt:
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Disfigurement and scarring
Injury severity and long-term limitations drive the value of a motorcycle accident case. A rider with permanent spinal cord injuries, chronic pain, or cognitive deficits from a traumatic brain injury will have substantially different damages than a rider who recovers fully in six months.
Colorado caps certain non-economic damages. For personal injury cases accruing on or after January 1, 2025, the cap is $1,500,000. Wrongful death non-economic damages are capped at $2,125,000 for the same period. Economic damages, such as medical bills and lost earnings, are not capped.
Johnston Law Firm analyzes medical records, employment history, and future care needs to pursue maximum compensation rather than accepting quick, low settlements that fail to account for long-term costs.
You have three years to file a motorcycle accident claim in Colorado. The clock starts on the date of the crash. Miss that deadline and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, regardless of how clear the liability or how severe the injuries.
Claims against government entities, such as crashes involving a city-owned vehicle or dangerous road conditions maintained by a public agency, require written notice within 182 days under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. That is roughly six months, not three years. Failure to give timely notice permanently bars the claim.
Wrongful death claims follow similar timeframes but can involve nuances in accrual dates and beneficiary standing that an attorney should review.
Beyond the legal deadlines, practical evidence has its own expiration date. Traffic camera footage is often overwritten within 30 to 90 days. Vehicle data recorders may be cleared during repairs. Witness memories fade. Waiting too long costs evidence even if the statute of limitations has not run.
Contact Johnston Law Firm at (719) 309-9484 or via our online contact form to review the deadlines specific to your motorcycle accident.
Investigation begins with obtaining the police report, 911 audio, and any bodycam footage from responding officers. When traffic cameras or surveillance video from nearby businesses captured the crash, the firm moves quickly to request preservation before footage is deleted.
The firm documents the accident scene and motorcycle damage through photographs and, when appropriate, works with accident reconstruction experts to analyze speed, braking distances, sight lines, and points of impact. Lawyers should have resources for accident reconstruction and expert testimonies because these specialists translate physical evidence into conclusions about fault that juries can understand.
Medical records, diagnostic imaging, and specialist reports link the rider's injuries directly to the motorcycle accident and establish injury severity for purposes of calculating damages. The firm may interview witnesses, preserve the motorcycle and gear as evidence, and review cell phone records or vehicle data if distracted driving is suspected.
Most of this work is handled by the legal team so injured riders and families can focus on recovery rather than chasing records and filing requests.
Insurance adjusters for at-fault drivers, and sometimes the rider's own insurer, work to limit payouts. Their tools include requesting immediate recorded statements, suggesting quick low-dollar settlements before medical treatment is complete, and highlighting any alleged rider misconduct.
Common insurance company tactics used against motorcycle riders include emphasizing speed even when police found no evidence of it, claiming the motorcycle appeared suddenly in a blind spot, and questioning whether certain medical treatments or future care plans are related to the crash. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to motorcyclists because the modified comparative negligence rule means pushing the rider's fault above 50% eliminates the duty to pay entirely. Attorneys must understand unique biases from insurers against motorcyclists and prepare accordingly.
Johnston Law Firm takes over communication with insurance companies, prepares written and verbal responses, and presents evidence in a way that supports full compensation. The firm reviews every document before a client signs anything; medical authorizations can grant overly broad access to unrelated health history, and settlement releases can permanently waive claims the rider did not know existed.
Shift the insurance burden to your legal team. Call (719) 309-9484 or contact us online.
Some motorcycle accidents happen during work duties. Delivery riders, salespeople traveling between job sites, and employees running work errands may have both a workers' compensation claim and a third-party personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Johnston Law Firm's workers' compensation practice handles both tracks, coordinating lien resolution and offsets so one claim does not undercut the other.
Riders left with permanent disabilities from spinal cord injuries or brain injuries may also qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The firm's Social Security practice can assist with that application and appeal process, providing a coordinated strategy across all available benefit programs.
Having one law firm familiar with workers' compensation, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, and Social Security avoids the gaps and miscommunication that arise when multiple firms handle different parts of the same situation. In rare cases, the firm's estate planning and criminal law experience becomes relevant as well, such as structuring a settlement to protect government benefit eligibility or addressing related traffic charges.
Finding experienced motorcycle accident attorneys requires specific industry experience, not just a general personal injury background. Attorneys should have a proven track record handling motorcycle crashes, experience dealing with comparative fault arguments, and the ability to present motorcycle-specific evidence to judges and juries.
Johnston Law Firm offers:
Direct access to a trial attorney with over 20 years of experience, not a high-volume intake center
Individualized case strategy tailored to the facts and injuries of each motorcycle accident case
Clear, responsive communication; clients are never left wondering about the status of their case
Willingness to take cases through litigation and trial when insurers refuse fair settlement offers
Handling of cases across both urban and rural Colorado courts, with knowledge of local judges, procedures, and jury expectations
Initial consultations are free. Most motorcycle accident and personal injury cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients do not pay attorney fees unless there is a recovery. Reputable personal injury lawyers in Colorado typically offer free consultations, and Johnston Law Firm follows that standard. Confirm any fee arrangement in writing before representation begins.
Review Johnston Law Firm's testimonials and case results on the firm's website and reach out by phone or online message to discuss your situation.
Johnston Law Firm is based in Pueblo and serves Colorado Springs, Pueblo West, Canon City, La Junta, and counties including El Paso, Otero, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Crowley. The firm is familiar with local roads and crash patterns: serious motorcycle accidents on mountain passes west of Colorado Springs, high-speed collisions on county highways through the Arkansas Valley, and intersection crashes on busy arterials in El Paso County.
Distance is not a barrier. The firm communicates by phone, video conference, and email, and arranges in-person meetings when needed. Riders from smaller communities where local legal resources may be limited should consider working with a firm experienced in statewide Colorado injury practice and comfortable handling cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Wherever the crash happened in Colorado, call (719) 309-9484 to see if Johnston Law Firm can help.
Anyone injured in a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident, or a family that lost a loved one in a fatal crash, should get legal advice before accepting any insurance offer. Early legal guidance can prevent mistakes, such as signing away rights or missing a filing deadline, that cannot be undone.
Johnston Law Firm provides a free consultation with no obligation and handles most motorcycle accident and personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. There is no upfront cost to get answers.
Call (719) 309-9484 now to speak with Johnston Law Firm about your motorcycle accident. If you prefer not to call, message us online through the firm's secure contact form.
The firm will listen, explain your options, and help chart a clear path forward through the medical, financial, and legal challenges that follow a serious motorcycle accident.
These questions address issues that riders and families in Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado ask most often. Each answer provides a practical starting point, but every case depends on its own facts.
Adults in Colorado are not legally required to wear helmets. Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar a motorcycle accident claim. Under Dare v. Sobule (1984), failure to wear a helmet is not admissible to prove comparative negligence. Insurance may argue helmet use affects head injury severity, but many motorcycle injuries, including fractures, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and road rash, have nothing to do with whether a helmet was worn. Have your specific circumstances reviewed by an attorney. The outcome depends on the medical evidence, the facts of the crash, and how the insurer frames the issue.
Colorado's modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery if the rider is 50% or less at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be $70,000. If found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. Fault assessments are not final just because an insurance adjuster or police report assigns them. An attorney may reduce the percentage attributed to the rider through investigation, witness statements, and expert analysis.
Timelines vary depending on injury severity, the length of medical treatment, insurance cooperation, and whether a personal injury lawsuit and trial become necessary. Some cases settle within several months after the rider reaches maximum medical improvement. Complex or disputed cases, particularly those involving spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries where long-term prognosis is uncertain, can take a year or longer. Rushing to settle before the full extent of serious injuries is known risks leaving future medical expenses and lost earning capacity uncompensated.
Injured motorcyclists may turn to their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, MedPay, or other first-party policies. UM/UIM claims involve complex policy language and can still be contested, even though they are filed with the rider's own insurer. Johnston Law Firm reviews all available insurance policies, identifies every source of coverage, and pursues claims to maximize financial recovery.
The firm offers free initial consultations for motorcycle accident victims and their families. Most motorcycle accident and personal injury cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients do not pay attorney fees unless there is a settlement or verdict in their favor. Call (719) 309-9484 or message us online to discuss fee arrangements for your specific situation in detail and in writing. It is important to verify any attorney's current license through the Colorado Supreme Court before entering a representation agreement.