COLORADO'S CYCLING CULTURE
Why Bicycle Accidents in Colorado Are Uniquely Serious
The Roaring Fork Valley is one of the most active cycling regions in the United States. That comes with real risks — and real legal rights when those risks are imposed by someone else’s negligence.
Colorado is home to some of the most spectacular — and most dangerous — cycling in the country. Road cyclists, mountain bikers, commuters, and elite athletes all share narrow mountain highways with drivers who are not always paying attention. When a collision happens, the cyclist almost always suffers far more than the driver.
Bicycle accident injuries are frequently catastrophic — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, road rash, and internal injuries are common even in relatively low-speed collisions. The physical, financial, and personal impact can be devastating and long-lasting.
Colorado law gives cyclists the same rights on the road as motor vehicle drivers. When a driver violates those rights through negligence, distraction, or recklessness, they can be held legally responsible for every consequence of that collision — medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
“Cyclists have the same legal rights on Colorado roads as drivers. When those rights are violated, the consequences deserve to be taken seriously.”
What to do immediately after a bike accident:
- Call 911 — insist on a police report even if you feel okay at the scene
- Accept medical attention — brain and spinal injuries may not be immediately apparent
- Photograph the scene, the vehicle, your bike, and your injuries before anything is moved
- Get the driver's name, license, insurance, and contact information
- Collect names and contact details of any witnesses
- Preserve your bicycle and gear exactly as they were — do not repair them
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
COMMON CAUSES
How Bicycle Accidents Happen in Colorado
Beth Klein has handled bicycle accident cases involving all of these scenarios. If you were injured in any of these circumstances, you may have a claim.
Struck from Behind
One of the most common and most serious bicycle accidents. A driver following too closely or not paying attention strikes a cyclist from behind — often at speed, with devastating results.
Left-Turn Collisions
A driver turning left fails to see an oncoming cyclist — one of the most frequently cited causes of serious bicycle accidents nationwide and on Colorado mountain roads.
Dooring Accidents
A parked driver opens their door into an oncoming cyclist without checking — sending the rider into traffic or directly into the door at speed.
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone use, and in-car distractions cause drivers to drift out of their lane or miss cyclists entirely — particularly dangerous on narrow mountain roads with no shoulder.
Forced Off the Road
A passing vehicle drives too close — the cyclist is sideswiped, struck by the mirror, or blown off the road by the vehicle's wake. This is negligence, even if there is no direct contact.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals
A driver running a red light, blowing through a stop sign, or failing to yield at an intersection strikes a cyclist who had the right of way. These are clear-cut cases of negligence.
Road Hazards & Defects
Potholes, debris, poorly maintained pavement, and inadequate signage can cause serious bicycle accidents. In some cases, a government entity or contractor may be liable for failing to maintain safe roads.
Glass Bead Road Striping
Beth Klein has won bicycle accident cases involving tiny glass beads used in road striping operations — which make pavement dangerously slippery for cyclists, especially when wet. This is a known hazard in Colorado.
Defective Bicycle Equipment
When an accident is caused not by a driver but by a defective bike, component, or gear — a faulty brake, a cracked frame, a helmet that fails to protect — a product liability claim may be available alongside or instead of a personal injury claim.
A COLORADO-SPECIFIC HAZARD BETH HAS WON CASES ON
Road Striping Glass Beads — A Hidden Danger for Cyclists
Road striping operations in Colorado use tiny glass beads mixed into paint to make lane markings more reflective. These beads are effective for drivers at night — but they create a dangerously slick surface for cyclists, particularly when wet. Many riders are unaware this hazard exists until they crash.
Beth Klein has successfully resolved cases involving injuries caused by these glass bead road stripes. If you were involved in a single-bicycle crash on freshly painted road markings, it may not have been your fault. Contact Beth Klein for a case evaluation.
WHY BETH KLEIN, P.C.
A Trial Lawyer Who Understands Cyclists — and Wins for Them
Some attorneys ride bikes and advertise to the cycling community. Very few have the trial experience to take a serious bicycle accident case to verdict and win. Beth Klein does. She has achieved full recovery for clients in every bicycle accident case she has handled.
Bicycle accident cases present unique challenges — drivers and their insurers often argue that the cyclist contributed to the collision, was difficult to see, or was riding unsafely. Beth knows how to dismantle these arguments with evidence, expert testimony, and the kind of courtroom credibility that comes only from actually trying cases.
She accepts a limited number of cases. If she takes yours, she is fully committed to it.
“While other attorneys may ride bikes and compete, they lack trial experience. We have a 100% success rate in recovery for our clients’ bicycle accident cases.”
I
100% Recovery Rate
Beth has achieved full financial recovery for every bicycle accident client she has represented. That track record is the result of thorough preparation, strong advocacy, and genuine trial capability.
II
Elite Athlete Representation
Beth represents professional and elite cyclists who understand that a serious injury means more than medical bills — it means lost competition income, sponsorship implications, and career interruption. She pursues full damages for all of it.
III
Trial-Ready from Day One
Beth builds every bicycle accident case as if it will go to trial — because it might. That preparation is what forces insurance companies to offer real value, rather than lowball settlements designed to take advantage of an unprepared plaintiff.
IV
Nationally Recognized
Colorado Super Lawyer since 2006. Best Lawyers in America. Lawyer of the Year — All of Western Colorado, 2020 & 2021. Top 500 Plaintiff Lawyers. Peer-recognized excellence — not advertising rankings.
V
Full Damages Recovery
Beth pursues every category of damages — medical bills, rehabilitation, bike replacement, lost income, future care, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and punitive damages where driver conduct warrants it.
VI
Contingency Fee — No Risk
Bicycle accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless Beth wins compensation for you. The case evaluation is always free and confidential.