Fort Collins, Colorado, Personal Injury Law Blog

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.

6 Issues that cause pedestrian accidents

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, June 21, 2019.

You could be part of a pedestrian-car accident in the future. But, knowing the top causes of these accidents can help you avoid trouble.

Here are some of the main factors that contribute to pedestrian accidents.

Are you familiar with the top causes of car-truck accidents?

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

It doesn't matter where you're traveling in the state of Colorado, you can expect to spend a good amount of time sharing the road with commercial trucks.

Even though you do your best to remain safe, it doesn't necessarily mean every other driver is taking the same precautions. For example, truckers are known for breaking the law -- often due to tight scheduling deadlines -- and taking risks on the road.

Ride To Work Day raises awareness of two-wheeled commuters

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, May 31, 2019.

This June 17 marks the 28th Annual International Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day.

Its organizers encourage every commuter who owns a two-wheeled motor vehicle to ride it to work that day.

How can bicycle lanes become truly safe from cars?

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Boulder County residents who bike on their commute or just in their free time know the stress that the bike lane causes. The part of the road that is supposed to be only for bicycles tends to just become another lane for cars--even when there are cyclists using it.

Research on the effectiveness of bike lanes shows that the stress you might feel while riding is well deserved. You should know exactly how risky bike lanes are and what the solution may be.

Stay safe with these rush hour driving safety tips

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

Even with many years of experience, driving in rush hour traffic is always a challenge. In addition to making all the right decisions inside your vehicle, you never know if another driver will make a mistake.

There are a variety of rush hour driving safety tips you can follow to avoid trouble. Here are five of the most important:

Review your route: A simple change to your route can go a long way in helping you avoid rush hour traffic. Even if it takes you longer to reach your destination, it may be the better option if you're able to avoid extreme amounts of congestion.
Leave more time: One of the biggest mistakes you can make in rush hour traffic is getting ahead of yourself. For example, if you're running late for an early morning business meeting, you're more likely to take risks on the road. And doing so is more likely to result in an accident.
Become a defensive driver: Aggressive drivers, such as those who speed and yell at others, are more likely to cause an accident. When you take a defensive approach, it's easier to spot and avoid trouble.
Leave more space: When traffic is moving slowly, it's easier to drive closely to the vehicle in front of yours. Doing so can cause an accident, as you don't have as much time to stop in the event of an emergency. Even if you only add another car length, it can be the difference between an accident and avoiding trouble.
Stay where you are: It's natural for you to want to move from one lane to the next, searching for the one that is moving fastest. Doing so is dangerous, as each lane change puts you at risk of an accident.

4 safety tips every bicycle commuter can follow

On behalf of VanMeveren Law Group, P.C. on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

If you commute on your bicycle, such as to and from school or work, you understand the many benefits. From saving time to saving gas to saving the environment, there are many reasons to ditch your car and hop on your bike.

Unfortunately, just the same as with a motor vehicle, it's possible you could be injured in a bicycle accident at some point.