Fort Collins, Colorado, Personal Injury Law Blog

Bicycle commuting is safer when you follow these tips

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

You've come to realize that commuting to and from work on your bicycle is advantageous for a variety of reasons. From saving money on gas to avoiding rush hour traffic jams, there is no shortage of benefits of bicycle commuting.

No matter how much you enjoy commuting on your bicycle, there's never a good time to put your safety on the back burner. It's critical that you take steps to avoid trouble on the road, such as the following:

Make eye contact with drivers: When you do this, there's no gray area about whether the driver knows you are there. This will enhance your safety, while giving you some peace of mind.
Watch for opening doors: Once a person parks their vehicle, they're likely to open their door at some point. If they do this without checking their mirror, it could put you in a compromising position. Your only options are stopping, swerving out of the way or hitting the door head on. Unfortunately, there are times when you're left with no option but to strike the door.
Beware of turning vehicles: Many bicycle-car accidents occur at an intersection where a driver is turning. If they don't see you driving through the intersection, they could sideswipe you when making the turn.
Understand that pedestrians are dangerous, too: For example, if a jogger darts in front of your bicycle, it could cause you to swerve into traffic or strike them directly.
Use the bicycle lane when available: Any time you have access to a bicycle lane, you should spend your time here. Since vehicles are not permitted, it's the safest place on the road. If there is no bicycle lane, join the flow of traffic as opposing to riding on the shoulder or sidewalk.

School bus safety tips: Discuss these with your children

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, October 4, 2019.

It doesn't matter if your children wait at the school bus stop on their own or by your side, it's critical to follow a variety of safety tips to help prevent a serious accident.

Here are four safety tips that all children, regardless of age, should follow when waiting at a school bus stop:

Remain visible: It's imperative to remain visible to the bus driver at all times. If a bus driver doesn't see a child, they don't know that they're in the area. This greatly increases the risk of an accident. As a general rule of thumb, your child should stand a minimum of three feet away from the road until the bus stops.
Wait for the cue from the bus driver: Even though your children may be excited about hopping on the bus, they shouldn't head for the door until the bus driver gives them the "all clear."
Take caution when crossing the street: Many school bus stop accidents happen when crossing the street, either before getting on the bus or after getting off. For instance, when your child gets off the bus, they should do the following: Make eye contact with the driver, move a minimum of five feet in front of the bus and then wait for the driver to tell them to cross.
Listen to the bus driver: Since you're not on the bus with your children, it's up to them to listen to the bus driver. Neglecting to do so, such as standing up while the bus is in motion increases the likelihood of an accident.

30-Day No Fee Guarantee!

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

VanMeveren Law Group is offering a 30-Day No Fee Guarantee

What's the one thing that all businesses have in common?

You guessed it; they exist to generate revenue for someone, whether it be shareholders, co-founders, or small-time owners. Law firms are no different, and for some people that leads to a chilling effect. An injured person may be going through one of the worst times in their life. The media-driven image of the greedy lawyer getting rich off the backs of wounded victims leads many people to be fearful of reaching out when they need help.

Understand the risks you face with severe road rash

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

Auto accidents can produce any number of serious injuries. They're likely to be particularly bad if the accident involves a cyclist or pedestrian.

Of the injuries that can occur, one that should be considered is the possibility of severe road rash. If you're knocked off your bike or hit as a pedestrian, you may be thrown and skid across the ground. The friction has the potential to cause serious injuries, to rip the skin and to create large, open wounds. In severe cases, some people require skin grafts to help heal the wounded regions of the body.

Does a traumatic brain injury call for surgery?

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for a traumatic brain injury, as no two people are faced with identical circumstances.

While not always the case, there are instances in which the best way to treat a traumatic brain injury is through surgery (among other types of treatment).

Basic rules for biking to school all children should know

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

Children who bicycle to and from school need to know proper bus safety protocol. This can help to keep them safe, but they will still depend on drivers to follow the laws. Some people are so focused on getting to where they need to go that they forget that children might not make the best decisions as they ride. For this reason, it is imperative that all drivers remember to err on the side of caution when kids are around.

There are several things that children can do to increase their safety on bikes. Parents of younger children might need to remind them of these more often than those who have older children. One thing that all parents must ensure is that their children aren't riding without an adult until they are able to safely ride on their own.

Don't be invisible: Tips for cyclists

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, August 2, 2019.

During a training ride, a cyclist was riding down the road, in the bike lane. He was following the traffic laws. It was bright and sunny outside, in the middle of the day. He wasn't riding recklessly or dangerously, but cruising along right where he should have been and right where drivers should have expected to find him.

Even so, an "older gentleman" pulled out of a driveway, trying to make a left-hand turn. He was on the opposite side of the road from the cyclist, and they had four traffic lanes between them. The man drove across all of those lanes and almost slammed into the bike against the opposite curb.

Safe driving in work zones during the busy summer and fall months

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, July 19, 2019.

The summer and fall months typically bring high levels of traffic to highways across the country. Complicating matters is the fact that this time of the year is one of most common for roadwork.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, fatal work zone crashes are most likely to occur in summer and fall. Every year, more than 200,000 people are injured in work zone accidents. This is in addition to approximately 4,400 fatalities.

How to prevent a rear-end accident when bicycling

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, July 5, 2019.

When riding your bicycle, it's imperative to keep your safety and well-being in mind at all times. Even a simple mistake can result in a serious accident that causes injury or death.

While there are many types of car-bicycle accidents, rear-end collisions are all too common. This occurs when a motor vehicle strikes you from behind, often without you seeing it coming.