Key Takeaways
- Private Equity and Personal Injury
- Some states are now allow private equity firms to own law practices and how this is a negative for personal injury clients.
- Hands-Free Driving Laws
- Recently passed in Colorado, effective January 2025, following the lead of other states.
- Has been shown elsewhere to reduce crash fatalities by as much as 10%.
- Motorcycle Lane Filtering
- Became legal in Colorado on August 7th.
- Motorcyclists can only filter between lanes of completely stopped traffic, moving at no faster than 15 mph.
- Proven to reduce rear-end collisions and save lives when practiced correctly.
- Road Rage and Dashcams
- Road rage incidents against motorcyclists appear to be increasing.
- Dashcams or helmet cams can protect riders legally but may also reveal any prior reckless behavior.
In an evolving legal landscape, private equity firms are stepping into a realm traditionally reserved for licensed attorneys—owning personal injury law practices. Legislatively, Colorado has enacted a hands-free driving law set to take effect in January 2025 and recently legalized motorcycle lane filtering in specific circumstances. These developments have the potential to transform not only the legal profession but safety on Colorado’s roads.
Scott O’Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice and The O’Sullivan Law Firm, has had a front-row seat to these changes. In his role as a personal injury attorney and a passionate advocate for motorcyclists, he has seen how private equity ownership can undermine client outcomes, why hands-free driving laws are crucial for road safety, and how lane filtering—when done properly—can save motorcyclists’ lives. Below is a closer look at these pressing issues and why they matter to everyone on the road.
Private Equity in Personal Injury Law
1. A Bad Ownership Model
Historically, law firms in most states could be owned only by lawyers. This structure was meant to protect clients’ interests and preserve professional ethics. However, states like Arizona and Nevada now permit private equity firms to invest in or fully own legal practices.
Scott explains, “What it’s doing is flooding the market with capital and making these firms … (apply) more pressure, pressure, pressure. Settle, settle, settle, so that they can keep in feeding the beast and feed the private equity.”
Settlement Quotas and Lower Payouts
Settlement quotas encourage attorneys to accept lower offers just to meet monthly targets. Scott shared an example from a defense attorney friend who discovered that one large personal injury firm’s lawyers would take lowball offers—particularly at the end of the month—simply to fulfill their quota. This approach leaves injured clients with less compensation than they deserve.
Refusing to Compromise
Scott himself has been approached by private equity investors, but he firmly says “no.” Accepting outside funding, he believes, would compromise his mission to provide genuine, client-focused representation. Instead, Scott and his team manage the number of cases they accept in order to properly dedicate the time and resources each client deserves.
2. Hands-Free Driving Laws Save Lives
Seven Years of Advocacy
Colorado’s new hands-free driving law, that took effect in January 2025, did not happen overnight. Scott volunteered his time alongside organizations like Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD) for seven years to get this legislation passed. He shared firsthand stories of his clients—many of whom were injured by distracted drivers—to illustrate the importance of prohibiting handheld phone use behind the wheel.
Evidence from Other States
In states that have already implemented hands-free laws, traffic fatalities have dropped by approximately 10%. If Colorado follows this pattern, it could mean 50 to 60 lives saved this year.
Prioritizing Safety Over Business
Some attorneys might not support legislation that reduces the number of accident cases, but Scott believes safety should always come first. His commitment to helping pass hands-free laws stems from a desire to protect all road users, not from seeking a higher volume of personal injury claims.
3. Motorcycle Lane Filtering in Colorado
What Lane Filtering Means
Lane filtering, now legal in Colorado, allows motorcyclists to move between lanes of completely stopped traffic at speeds of no more than 15 mph. This practice helps riders avoid rear-end collisions, one of the most common and deadly types of motorcycle accidents.
A Life-Saving Example
Scott shared a story of a motorcyclist who was stopped at a red light on a multi-lane road. While waiting in traffic, the rider was struck from behind by a driver who then fled the scene. If he had utilized the filtering law, he would have avoided the collision entirely.
“But a good example is a client who’s sitting at Broadway near downtown, near the stadium,” Scott explains. “He pulls up and it’s that section where there’s three or four lanes and he’s sitting in his lane just kind of waiting for traffic to go at a stopped light. He’s got a GoPro helmet on … and all of a sudden he’s up in the air. He gets hit from behind.”
Dealing with Road Rage
Unfortunately, lane filtering has sometimes provoked road rage in drivers unfamiliar with the new law or those who don’t like seeing a rider get to do something they can’t. Scott recounts multiple incidents where motorists chased down or struck motorcyclists who filtered legally. In one case, a driver ran a motorcyclist off the road, then shouted at the rider laying on the side of the road, “That’ll teach you.” Thankfully, witnesses stayed at the scene, and the aggressive driver was arrested.
A Trial Period for Colorado
Colorado’s lane filtering law includes a sunset clause, meaning it will expire if data shows it doesn’t offer a clear safety benefit. Scott urges motorcyclists to follow the law strictly—only filtering when traffic is stopped and moving only at or below 15 mph — so the practice can continue in the future.
4. Road Rage, Dashcams, and GoPros
Capturing the Truth
With road rage incidents on the rise, dashcams and helmet-mounted GoPros can be a blessing. They provide invaluable evidence when fault is disputed in a collision. However, the footage can be a double-edged sword. If a rider is recorded speeding or engaging in reckless behavior before an accident, that evidence could be used against them.
Scott advises riders to weigh the benefits and risks of using a camera. If you’re riding responsibly, the footage can protect you from false claims. But if you have a habit of pushing the limits, your own camera could work against you.
Staying Safe in a Tense Environment
From metropolitan highways to small-town streets, road rage seems to be escalating. People can lose their tempers for minor reasons—like perceived lane encroachment or slight delays in traffic—and sometimes follow other drivers or riders to confront them.
Scott encourages motorcyclists to prioritize personal safety and de-escalate whenever possible. A driver who becomes angry at a lane-filtering rider, for example, could pose a genuine threat. It’s always best to avoid engaging with aggressive behavior, especially given how vulnerable riders are compared to drivers in cars.
5. Scott O’Sullivan as a Trusted Advocate
Scott, the founder of Rider Justice and The O’Sullivan Law Firm, is not just an attorney—he’s a caring resource for motorcyclists and drivers alike. His firm champions safer roads, fair settlements, and legislative efforts that reduce preventable accidents.
A Personal Touch
Scott and his team maintain a client-centered approach, accepting a limited number of cases so that each individual receives the attention and resources they need. Rather than prioritizing the volume of settlements, they focus on each client’s well-being and the quality of legal representation.
Working with Lawmakers
Although he’s not a professional lobbyist, Scott frequently volunteers his time and expertise when new bills come before the Colorado legislature. His unique perspective—drawing on the experiences of clients who have suffered from distracted or aggressive drivers—helps lawmakers see the real-world impact of their decisions.
Why It Matters
These legislative efforts and professional ethics are more than abstract concepts; they directly affect people’s lives. Whether it’s pushing for safer roads or ensuring injury victims receive fair compensation, Scott’s approach puts people first.