Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Northglenn, Colorado
Over 25 years of motorcycle law experience in Northglenn
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Northglenn, Colorado
Northglenn covers only about 7.5 square miles, but riders here are part of a much larger traffic system. Trips routinely extend beyond city limits into Thornton, Westminster, Federal Heights, Denver, and other communities across the north metro area.
Scott O’Sullivan has represented injured motorcyclists since 1998, and he knows a rider does not need to be on a mountain highway or taking a long trip for something to go terribly wrong. Some of the most serious motorcycle collisions occur during ordinary rides close to home, when another driver turns in front of a motorcycle, follows too closely, or changes lanes without making sure the space is clear.
Rider Justice was built to stand up for riders, beginning with a free, no-obligation legal consultation after an injury crash.
In Northglenn, So Much of the Ride Happens Around Other Drivers
Northglenn’s location places motorcyclists amid the constant movement of the northern Denver metro area.
Interstate 25 provides a direct route toward Denver and northern Colorado, while major local roads connect Northglenn with surrounding communities. Riders encounter people commuting to work, running errands, heading toward the interstate, moving between neighboring cities, and entering or leaving shopping and residential areas.
That means frequent intersections, turns, merges, stops, and lane changes.
For someone inside a passenger vehicle, a missed turn or careless lane change may result in a fender bender. A motorcyclist does not have the same protection.
Scott has handled motorcycle cases for almost three decades. He has seen the difference a few seconds of driver inattention can make.
“Most of the calls I receive about Denver motorcycle accidents aren’t from the victims themselves. I’m called by their loved ones. The spouses, parents and even children of people injured in a Denver motorcycle accident call me when they are facing mounting bills, unending calls from insurance companies and, of course, their own fragile emotional state. I have so much empathy for these families because no one ever expects to be put into such a painful situation. It can be completely overwhelming for them. It is my privilege to help the injured motorcycle rider as well as support the family that has been impacted by tragedy.”
~Scott O’Sullivan, Rider Justice founder
The Driver Who “Didn’t See You” Still Had a Responsibility to Look
One of the most frustrating things an injured rider can hear after a crash is that the other driver did not see the motorcycle.
Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, but they are not invisible.
Drivers have a responsibility to watch for everyone legally using the road. That includes checking carefully before turning left, entering traffic, changing lanes, or pulling away from a stop.
Northglenn motorcycle collisions may result from drivers who:
- Turn across an approaching motorcycle.
- Fail to check a blind spot before changing lanes.
- Follow a rider too closely.
- Enter an intersection without yielding.
- Look at a phone instead of the roadway.
- Drive while impaired.
- Misjudge a motorcycle’s distance or speed.
Scott believes injured riders deserve to have the driver’s actions scrutinized just as carefully as their own.
That matters because motorcycle stereotypes can quickly become part of an insurance claim.
“Scott was the only one who looked into my accident enough to fully understand what happened.”
“I don’t want to call Scott a lawyer because he becomes a friend. That’s Scott O’Sullivan and that’s the people who work for him. Everybody at The O’Sullivan Law Firm has the mentality and heart that they’re going to walk you through this and get you through this as easily as possible, as pain-free as possible, and see to it that you are treated fairly, justly.”
— Dennis, Colorado Motorcycle Accident Victim
Don’t Let an Insurance Company Decide Who You Are as a Rider
Before Scott began representing injured people, he defended insurance companies and corporations. The experience taught him how insurers assess claims and how seemingly small details can be used to reduce what they pay.
Motorcycle claims can be particularly susceptible to that approach.
An adjuster may ask whether the rider was speeding, how long they had been riding, what kind of motorcycle they owned, or what they were wearing. Some questions may be legitimate. Others can be used to support an assumption that the motorcyclist was reckless simply because they chose to ride.
Rider Justice challenges those assumptions with the facts.
Scott earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and has spent almost three decades advocating for injured motorcyclists. Rider Justice grew out of his belief that riders needed representation by people who understood both motorcycle cases and the culture surrounding them.
Colorado Law Can Affect What Happens After the Crash
Knowing the rules that apply to riders is another part of protecting a motorcycle claim.
Colorado does not require motorcycle operators or adult passengers to wear helmets, although operators and passengers under 18 must wear helmets approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Colorado does require eye protection for motorcycle operators.
Colorado also permits limited lane filtering under specific conditions. That is different from unrestricted lane splitting.
An insurance company may try to use helmet use, lane position, speed, or another riding decision to shift blame after a collision. Whether an argument actually affects a claim depends on the facts and applicable Colorado law.
That is one reason Scott encourages injured riders to get advice before assuming an insurance adjuster’s interpretation is correct.
When an Injury Changes More Than the Next Few Weeks
After a motorcycle crash, it can be tempting to measure the damage by what is immediately visible: the totaled bike, emergency room visit, missed work, or upcoming surgery.
Rider Justice looks further ahead.
A fracture may require months of rehabilitation. A head injury can interfere with concentration or memory long after someone leaves the hospital. Spinal injuries, nerve damage, severe road rash, or injuries requiring multiple surgeries can affect a rider’s work and independence for years.
A serious claim may need to consider:
- Current and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Rehabilitation and therapy.
- Permanent impairment.
- Pain and suffering.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Motorcycle and riding-gear damage.
The goal is to understand what the collision actually took from the rider before discussing what fair compensation should look like.
Scott was the only one who looked into my accident enough to fully understand what happened.
“Honestly, the most help that I got has been from Scott. Him getting us our settlement fast enough. Everything went smoothly. I just put my trust in him and I feel like he made the best decisions for me.” ~ Ramon, Colorado Motorcycle Accident Victim
Rider Justice Is Part of the Colorado Riding Community
Scott’s commitment to riders extends beyond representing people after crashes.
Rider Justice participates in motorcycle events, provides rider and insurance education, supports safety initiatives, and advocates for laws intended to make Colorado roads safer. Scott also spent seven years advocating for Colorado’s hands-free driving law and helped write the legislation before it was ultimately passed.
That work reflects the reason Rider Justice exists in the first place.
Motorcyclists deserve advocates who care what happens to riders before, during, and after a crash.
After a Northglenn Motorcycle Crash, Put a Rider Advocate in Your Corner
You may have been riding only a few blocks from home. You may have been heading toward I-25, crossing into Thornton or Westminster, or beginning a much longer ride.
The distance does not determine how serious the consequences can be.
If another driver injured you while riding in Northglenn, contact Rider Justice for a free consultation. Scott O’Sullivan and the Rider Justice team understand the assumptions motorcyclists face after crashes and are prepared to make sure your claim is built around evidence, not stereotypes.
Worst Roads for Motorcycles in Aurora
A 2020 study found that Aurora, CO had some of u003ca href=u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQRb_HTiQTUu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003ethe worst roads in the countryu003c/au003e. And if the roads are bad for cars, they are wicked for motorcyclists. The 2020 study was focused on ro ad quality, not accidents.rnrnBut no one on the road is more vulnerable to poor road conditions than motorcycle riders. Potholes, sandy shoulders, and poorly planned intersections can spell doom for unsuspecting Aurora motorcycle riders. Please make sure that you ride safe on Aurora road.