Scott O'Sullivan

Rider Justice Giveaway Winner

September 15, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Rider Justice is constantly looking for ways to engage riders and celebrate the biker lifestyle. We gave away a Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide in 2015 as well as a Triumph Bonneville in 2017. So, when I suggested that we give away a 2020 Honda Monkey, everyone thought I was crazy. But once I laid eyes on that 125ccs of throwback fun, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. And many have felt the same way when seeing it in person.

We launched the contest in January at the International Motorcycle Show and the last large event we were able to register people was the Motorcycle Expo in February. Our intentions were to give away the Monkey at the BikerDown annual Look Twice Save a Life Ride, however, COVID forced that event to be postponed.

Since Spring, we’ve been keeping our fingers crossed that BikerDown could safely reschedule the Look Twice Ride sometime during the 2020 riding season because we were committed to combining the Honda giveaway with that event. It’s a crucial fundraiser for our favorite local non-profit, and we wanted as many people to attend as possible. On September 5^th, we finally had our day.

A Winner is Chosen

With almost 2,000 entries we drew 10 names and those people were called to the Rider Justice stage at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse. Each of those 10 people selected a BikerDown pack filled with swag (some even had $100 Visa gift cards) and a key. In turn, each person opened their pack to see if their key was the key to start the bike!

Finally, our winner emerged: Joel McCoy! Congratulations Joel! We can’t wait to see you at bike night on the Monkey. *beep* *beep*

On the Road Again

August 4, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys — Scott O’Sullivan

The whole world may be exhausted from stay-at-home orders and social distancing, but none have the advantage that bikers possess to escape the lock-down blues.

One recent Saturday morning, driving back towards Denver on highway 285, I saw hundreds of riders, going in the opposite direction headed into the hills. From what I could tell, they seemed to all be smaller groups going out on individual adventures. It was a beautiful sight! It made me think about how riders must all be laughing to themselves that they can continue doing what they love while mostly maintaining COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Yes, there are recent setbacks that are, again, straining our favorite restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, but the spirit of motorcyclists continuing to enjoy the freedom that the open road offers is pretty special. And together, we’ve all reached the end of our ropes and are ready to get back to events that let us celebrate the brotherhood and sisterhood that bikers hold so dear. So, let me share a few things that we have to look forward to for the rest of the summer.

8/22: On The Wings of Angels Poker Run

This is our second year sponsoring this event for Angel Eyes. Angel Eyes is a non-profit that helps Colorado families cope with the sudden, unexpected death of an infant or toddler, miscarriage, and stillbirth loss. They offer professional bereavement counseling, a support group, peer connections, and community referrals to those who are grieving.

This is their 4th Annual Motorcycle Poker Run and what a great event to support! The ride starts and ends at Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and entry fees include breakfast, lunch, swag bag and door prize ticket! Other fundraising takes place through their silent auction and 50/50 drawing.

We’ll be there to cheer on riders and give away more prizes. You can find out more details and register at angeleyes.org.

8/29: Colorado Women’s Day of Rock

Rider Justice was all set to sponsor the Women’s World Record Ride on 8/29 but organizers were recently denied necessary permits due to COVID-19. This may limit the number of out-of-state lady riders for that date, but the rest of us are still here and desperate for entertainment. We decided to keep the national act Lez Zeppelin, an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band, booked and plan for next year’s world record attempt.

The show will be free with in-kind donations going to local non-profit, BikerDown.

Mark your calendars and join us on 8/29. There will be vendors and live music all day. Join us early to grab a picnic table with a great view and celebrate the women who will beat that world record in 2021!

9/5: Honda Monkey Contest Drawing/ Look Twice Save a Life Ride

The bad news is that we were originally going to give away this fiery little 125cc beast at the Look Twice Save a Life Ride in May. The good news is that you still have time to register because the BikerDown annual ride is now scheduled for September 5th.

Because of all the uncontrollable issues with events so far this year, we’ve adjusted the contest where there will be five pre-qualifiers drawn before the event and another five will be drawn on the day of to offer more chances at winning. We will have keys and each qualifier will have a chance to see if their key starts the bike!

Remember, you can register once online and every time you see Rider Justice or BikerDown at an event. The day of the event will be your last chance to register so plan on spending the day with us after the BikerDown ride.

Register now for the Look Twice Save a Life Ride at BikerDown.org as early registration guarantees a ride t-shirt. Day of registrations are welcome and appreciated but shirts may be limited at that point.

Gaiter survey

We have a small giveaway we’re doing with your voluntary help with a very short survey. It’s three questions only and at least the first 50 people will receive a customized Rider Justice gaiter in the mail.

You may participate in the survey giveaway here.

What to do

There was this blissfully brief time this spring when motorcycle accidents were extremely low. Unfortunately, the trend is swinging back hard. If you or someone you care about has been in an accident that wasn’t their fault, encourage them to take the time to speak with me. People seem to be eternally optimistic that if they have medical and motorcycle insurance, everything will work out, but I am here to tell you that you want someone who knows their tricks on your side. I will happily meet with anyone to discuss their case for free and help them figure out next steps. Call or text me anytime at 303-388-5304

New Rider: Making All the Right Moves

July 9, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

No one needs to tell a biker how dangerous it can be on the road. Every rider can give a laundry list of close encounters without batting an eye and those who haven’t been lucky enough to avoid collisions have battle scars to tell their story.

My goal with Rider Justice, is to always focus on how to keep riders as safe as possible while celebrating the biker lifestyle that brings them joy. As a law firm, of course we are here to help riders that have been injured in an accident, but what if we could do more to be proactive? This question is always top of mind for me and my team.

So, when I met Tamara, someone who wanted to begin riding but hadn’t just yet, I knew I had a golden opportunity to help make sure this person got started on the right foot. Moreover, we developed a plan to document her journey as a way to help other new riders.

Meet Tamara

I met Tamara a couple years ago as she worked in a restaurant I frequented in my neighborhood, and over time we’ve become friends. It was with great surprise when one day, she announced to me that she wanted to ride a motorcycle. After some very serious conversations filled with my best fatherly advice, she was undaunted and more determined than ever to get on 2-wheels. Knowing the potential dangers that lie ahead, I asked if she would let me guide her journey and she agreed.

Tamara moved to Colorado from Southern California. You should also know that she has been horseback riding since she was ten years old. Her parents signed her up for riding lessons before sending her to a summer camp that had a horse program. Once she was riding, she was hooked.

That camp was in Buena Vista, Colorado and when she got into high school, Tamara began working at that same camp each summer teaching other kids how to ride. Now, with lots of years riding, and even competing with horses, she’s ready to move on to something new.

Tamara says, comparing riding a horse to what she thinks riding will be like. “It is kind of nice to be able to travel from point A to point B having the wind on you and being out in the open as opposed to riding in a car.”

Motorcycle Endorsement

First things first, Tamara needed to take a riding class. Not only would the class teach her how to ride and best practices, she would have a chance to actually ride a bike that she didn’t have to purchase first.

Those who know me, know that I have a history of riding, but that I stopped after losing a friend many years ago. It doesn’t change that I miss riding a LOT! So, I took the class with Tamara, just for grins. And man, it was so fun!

We worked with Dave Tolbert who owns Motorcycle Training Academy in Aurora. He pointed out to us that excited new riders often go buy a new bike before knowing how to ride and then end up laying it down or knocking it over by accident and damaging it right away. So, in addition to waiving the DMV test by getting your endorsement in a class, a benefit of taking a class is using someone else’s bike to practice with. Moreover, they have a number of bikes for you to try.

I’m pleased to report that on March 5, 2020, Tamara and I both passed the Basic Rider Course and got our endorsements!

Gear & The Bike

Knowing that Tamara had her eye on adventure riding as well as street riding, we brought her to work with our friends at Erico Motorsports. There, she worked with Stevie, the apparel specialist who is also a female rider and Nick who showed her all kinds of bikes.

Stevie had lots of great tips for Tamara regarding gear and how to evaluate gear for on- and off-road riding. Tamara left with a great helmet, jacket, and gloves!

Tamara had her eye on a Ducati Scrambler but she also liked the look of some of the Triumphs, too. Nick helped answer all of her questions. In the end, Tamara found the ride she’s been dreaming of: a 2018 Ducati Scrambler Café Racer.

Follow the Journey

Even though Tamara is off to a great start, we’re not done yet! You can follow her journey by following her on Instagram, by following us on either Facebook or Instagram where we will share updates or go directly to the videos documenting her progress so far at RiderJustice.com/features. We are continually adding new videos showing what she’s up to in her learning process.

If you have suggestions for new riders, I’d love to hear your recommendations. Call or text me at 303.388.5304 or email: Scott@RiderJustice.com.

#2Wheels4Meals Supports Community, Rider Businesses

June 5, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

It was early March when the Rider Justice team started to understand that COVID-19 was about to turn life as we know it on its head. Talk of stay-at-home orders and non-essential business closures were running rampant. We could see the uncertainty in the road ahead and the challenge this brought to the local businesses that play an integral role in the motorcycle world we love. Our concern was primarily for the restaurants and bars that cater to riders. They serve as community meeting points for individual and group rides every single day. A home away from home for many. These are locally owned businesses at the core of our riding community and there was no way we could just sit back while owners and staff closed and braced for an unknown fate.

It was time for us to get creative and refocus our energy. Within days we hosted several video calls that brought in leaders in the Colorado riding community and who are like minded when it comes to rolling up your sleeves and helping others. We worked with the team from META, Colorado Rider News, and BikerDown Foundation. Each of us were determined to do whatever we could to make an impact within the community and industry alike.

Within a few days #2Wheels4Meals was born. The program would raise money through donations to buy meals from one of our local favorites, Dirty Dogs Roadhouse in Golden, CO. Our team and volunteers then distributed those meals to homeless kitchens, hospitals, first responders, and to staff at nursing homes. As of this writing, #2Wheels4Meals has purchased and distributed over 1800 meals.

The joy of making this happen – of helping local entrepreneurs and people hit hard by the pandemic – has allowed us to feed our souls and put smiles on many in need. However, the experience of locking arms with like-minded people and getting the work done, is deeply fulfilling as well. Existing relationships grew stronger and new bonds were cemented, laying the foundation for lasting partnerships.

Rider Justice is founded on contributing real value to our riding community. That truth allowed us to shift quickly and become something very different when the world needed us to be. We will continue to shift and move and do the work to stand up for bikers and the Colorado community every single day.

Thank you to everyone who helped us, help others.

#2Wheels4Meals – Interview

April 13, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

April 11: This interview with Mark Miklos of Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and Laurie Montoya of BikerDown gives an update about how Dirty Dogs is doing during the COVID-19 shutdown and an information about our #2Wheels4Meals movement.

Laurie is our #2Wheels4Meals “boots-on-the-ground” person and has been at Dirty Dogs for the past three weeks helping prep meals. (Thank you, Laurie!) As the president of a non-profit, BikerDown, she has been instrumental in helping collect and manage donated funds.

Donate to #2Wheels4Meals

Prepping for the Riding Season

March 5, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

A number of you Colorado Rider News readers are all-season riders but not everyone rides in through the winter season. For those that put the bike away for several of the winter months, the warming weather really creates an itch to hit the road.

[Read more…]

What Rider Justice Does for You

January 30, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

It happens at every event we attend. A biker steps up and we ask, “are you familiar with Rider Justice?”

“Yes,” they often reply. “You’re a law firm.”

That’s kind of correct, but it isn’t the whole picture.

I’ve been working with motorcyclists through my firm, The O’Sullivan Law Firm, for over 20 years, now. Yes, I most absolutely help riders who have been injured in accidents, however, my intention with Rider Justice is to extend further and support the riding community in truly meaningful ways. To me, it means not marketing with massive billboards everywhere, but finding avenues that positively impact riders and enhance their lives every day.

[Read more…]

Proactive Riding: What does that even mean?

January 8, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Motorcyclists hear this all the time: Be a proactive rider! But what does “being proactive” really mean?

The most important piece of advice you can start using right now: Don’t trust other drivers. You are responsible for your ride. It’s an unfortunate reflection of our current culture that people are driving distracted, wrapped up in themselves, and anxious. Taking control of yourself and your actions should be number one on your to-do list.

Being proactive and being a proactive rider means actively being in control of everything possible about you and your ride and not just responding when something happens on the road. There are things you can control and then there are things you can’t control.

What is in Your Control

Gear — Seriously! Ride with the right gear. Accidents, road debris, weather – they are going to happen. Recommended gear includes: shatter-proof eye protection, full-face helmet, full-finger gloves, sturdy boots, and long pants.

Also, do you have a first-aid kit? If you do, do you know how to use everything in the kit?

Your bike — Most riders love their babies so they have this one covered, but some folks do let maintenance and repairs slide. Don’t be that person that gets injured or stuck in a bad place because of an avoidable breakdown.

Get the right insurance — Because you absolutely cannot trust anyone else out on the road, assume the worst: that they have no insurance or the state minimum. (Don’t even get us started about hit and runs!) This means you must carry enough insurance to care for you and your family if the very worst happens. (Check out our insurance recommendations at riderjustice.com.)

Your skill level — Hone your riding skills. Harley-Davidson said it best: Great riders aren’t born; they’re made! This means new riders should definitely take a class. Experienced riders should keep taking advanced training classes to keep yourself sharp. Rider inexperience is the *number one human contributing factor in motorcycle accidents in Colorado and your skill is completely in your control. Any rider, no matter how many miles under their belt, can learn more.

Situational awareness — Is anyone around you in a state of road rage? Are others texting, distracted, or oblivious? Is there construction, bad weather, or an accident ahead? Recognize what is going on around you and adapt with the sole intention of keeping yourself safe. Don’t get sucked into road rage yourself or teaching someone a lesson. Adapting to avoid danger is a better goal. Another way to plan for safety is to check out the Denver Accident Map and plot your rides to avoid the most dangerous roads in Denver.

Self Awareness — Do you react emotionally to situations? Do you get so angry at other drivers that your hands shake and vision narrows? *Aggressive driving is the 2nd top contributing human factor for motorcycle accidents. Don’t be that guy. Take a deep breath and remember that keeping your cool is a better way to get yourself home safe.

Your Community — Do you know who to call for help if something goes wrong? Not just 9-1-1, but organizations like BikerDown exist to help riders after an accident and offer membership services that can keep you afloat if you get hurt.

Do you have a trusted legal resource, like Rider Justice in your phone so when you have questions you can get advice?

Do you carry an ICE (In Case of Emergency) card?

Ride sober — This one should be a no brainer, but still, *DUI, DWAI, and DUID is the 3rd most common cause of motorcycle accidents in the state of Colorado. Don’t be your own worst enemy! Anything that affects your perception, vision, reaction time, or attention span is taking your control away.

Safety training — If there is an accident, can you help? Do you know CPR? Take classes that train you to confidently deal with what may happen on the road to fellow riders. Follow our Facebook page for announcements for safety classes that we sponsor for riders: https://www.facebook.com/MotorcycleRiderJustice/

What is Not in Your Control

People driving with little or no insurance — No matter how irresponsible – people still do it. You can’t control what insurance they carry or if they drive with none at all. There’s no pot of gold if someone uninsured hits you – insurance is where the money comes from.

Distracted Drivers — These people are a serious danger to everyone on the road. Watch for them and get away as far away from them as possible even if that means letting them move ahead of you so you can keep an eye on them.

Road conditions — You can’t get CDOT to work any faster but you can watch the road carefully to avoid hazards and plan your ride to avoid construction zones.

You probably don’t have a hotline to control the weather (if you do, let us know- we have some requests). Check the weather and just don’t ride if there’s rain, snow, or intense wind in the forecast. If you choose to do so, recognize that you are giving up some safety control to the elements.

Public perception of bikers — This one is rough because we know bikers get a bad rap. It isn’t fair and we don’t like it but we find most drivers assume bikers are the bad guys. Just keep in mind cameras are everywhere and there is a better than good chance that in any road “situation” there will be a camera recording all or part of it. Make sure if you’re being recorded that it’s to your advantage.

The ride should be a beautiful thing, and sometimes beauty takes work and planning. The best thing you can do is take total control of yourself and your ride.

*MOST 2019 Annual Reports

Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving

October 31, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

In February of 2016, Brian and Jacquie Lehner were riding their Harley-Davidson on Highway 83 near Franktown when an oncoming driver crossed the double-yellow line and hit them head-on. Both of the Lehners were killed. The driver, Athina Munoz, was found by police to be texting while driving, and she was also high on multiple substances.

Susan Dane was friends with the Lehners, having met them through her Harley-Davidson Chapter in Parker.

“The summer after they died, I told our Chapter members, ‘Something good has to come out of this!’” says Susan. “I looked up the penalties for texting and driving in Colorado and discovered that it was only $50 and one point. We were all shocked and realized we had to get that changed.”

Photo from a strategy meeting before the 2018 legislative session.

Dane understood that Colorado’s laws were not strict enough to make anyone change their habits, meaning more people could die due to texting and driving. But she didn’t know how to change laws. She had never been involved in any legislative efforts in her life.

Therefore, Susan and a few of the Lehners’ other friends requested a meeting with George Brauchler, the district attorney who had prosecuted Athina Munoz.

“He said we had two options to change the law,” says Susan. “Either we could create legislation and try to get it passed through the Colorado legislature, or we could try to get signatures on a petition and get it on the ballot. He told us legislation would probably easier.”

CORD was Born

Knowing this would take an organized, grassroots effort, Susan and several other motorcycle riders founded CORD: Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving.

“My role was to go out and find bills that had been introduced or laws that had passed in other states,” says Susan. “I discovered that there was a bill moving forward in Colorado that year! Senator Lois Court had introduced the bill, so I gathered a bunch of bikers to show up and testify on behalf of the bill.”

Susan laughs a bit when she thinks of that day. “When Senator Court saw us all walk in the room – all these motorcycle riders – she was afraid we’d be against the legislation because bikers are typically against more restrictive laws, such as helmet laws. But then we all started telling our stories and she realized we were on her side.”

CORD and Senator Court worked together to cross party lines and get a bill passed that year. It was a victory but, according to Susan, still not enough.

“It was a small victory,” says Susan. “We got the fines increased but it was a very hard law to enforce. Basically, the only way to get pulled over and ticketed is if you’re texting while driving, and you’re driving carelessly, and a police officer sees you.”

(I also testified at that first public hearing and have been working with CORD and Senator Court to pass stricter texting-while-driving laws.)

Sadly, a stricter bill was quickly killed in 2018. But everyone involved agreed that they had to keep trying in 2019. Their first goal was to expand awareness and support of their efforts.

“We got insurance companies, AAA, C-DOT, the bicycle communities and so many others involved,” says Susan. “So many people want safer roads!”

The 2019 bill made it through the Colorado Senate but was killed in the first House committee it faced.

“The opposition seems to come from a perceived profiling concern, and because not everybody can afford a Bluetooth-enabled car,” says Susan, who explains that she has hard data refuting the profiling concern, and that there are many ways to go hands-free in any car.

“We aren’t going away!” she proclaims, insisting that CORD and many others will be back for the next legislative session to get an impactful, habit-changing law passed.

“In my perfect world, I would like to see a fine of $500 and 4 points for the first offense, escalating from there for each additional offense,” she says. “This is just as bad as drunk driving! As a comparison, we have a $1,000 fine for littering!”

Want Safer Roads? Get Involved!

Susan would love to hear from anyone interested in supporting CORD’s efforts, and she understands how intimidating it can be to join the legislative process.

“It’s an eye opener,” she says. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Social studies was not my cup of tea in school so I’m making up for it now. Honestly, it’s very interesting and I have seen how average people can make a difference.”

If you’d like to follow CORD’s work, visit them on Facebook. You can also email Susan directly: sdane@caresynergynetwork.org

Unmarried Couples on Motorcycles: What Are Your Rights?

October 2, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

As a Denver motorcycle attorney, I have seen some very scary, tragic outcomes after motorcycle accidents. These outcomes, which generally involve serious injuries or fatalities, leave victims and their family members completely overwhelmed by grief, pain and financial fears.

Recently, I met with the girlfriend of a biker who was hit by a car. She was on the back of his bike and she was seriously injured, as was he. Because they weren’t married, they had a lot of confusion about what they could expect from insurance. The truth is this: insurance is ALWAYS confusing, but in the case of unmarried couples, it can get even murkier.

Therefore, I thought I’d share some typical scenarios involving couples on motorcycles, as well as some real-life stories below. Always remember: It is free to speak with a personal injury attorney about your accident to see if you can make an insurance claim.

Couples on Motorcyclists: What Are Your Rights?

There are three typical scenarios involving couples and motorcycle accidents. (Generally, the man is driving the motorcycle with his wife/girlfriend riding in back, so that is how I’ve written these scenarios. I am fully aware that there are many female bikers who are also victims of motorcycle accidents.)

The accident is his fault and you’re not married: If you’re not married and you are riding on the back of your boyfriend’s bike and he causes an accident, you have a right to make a claim against him for liability. I am NOT suggesting that this motorcycle accident is the end of your relationship because you’re suing him… you’re actually making a claim against his insurance company. (Make sure he has the right insurancebefore you ever get on his bike!)
The accident is his fault and you are married: If you are married, riding on the back of your husband’s bike, and he causes a motorcycle accident, you both better have great healthcare coverage and disability insurance because you cannot sue a spouse for insurance coverage.
The accident is someone else’s fault and you’re not married: If you’re on the back of your boyfriend’s bike and someone else causes an accident that injures you, you have three “buckets” to make claims against, in this order: a) the at-fault driver, b) your boyfriend’s Uninsured Motorist coverage (UIM), and c) your own UIM.

Real Case

Here is a perfect example of that third scenario and why you should always carry Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM):

Last year, an unmarried couple was riding on a motorcycle when they were hit by an oncoming vehicle. Both of them ended up in the hospital with injuries. Here are the ways that the couple is covered after this accident:

Both of the victims can make separate claims against the at-fault driver. He had policy limits of $100,000.
The boyfriend can also make a claim against his UIM. He had policy limits of $50,000.
The girlfriend can also make a claim against the boyfriend’s UIM as well as her own. She had policy limits of $250,000.

This means the boyfriend will receive $150,000 and the girlfriend will receive $400,000! This case proves the value of getting as much UIM coverage as you can afford. (I recommend a minimum of $250,000.)

Again, I am not suggesting that you and your boyfriend get into a legal fight with each other. Not at all! This is about insurance claims; not about taking money away from someone you love. The whole reason we buy insurance is to protect ourselves when something goes wrong and motorcycle accidents can cause a lot of financial hardship. You should use all of the insurance available to you. Consult with a Denver motorcycle lawyer to find out exactly where those “buckets” exist.

Unmarried Couples on Motorcycles: True Stories

A couple of summers ago, I had two cases that broke my heart. In both cases, a woman who had just met a man with a motorcycle, got on the back of his bike and they ended up in accidents caused by the biker. In both cases, the women were wearing shorts and the accidents degloved their legs and arms. (That is as gruesome as it sounds.) Because the bikers caused the accidents, the women made claims against the bikers’ insurance companies. Sadly, the women did not also have their own UIM insurance, which would have provided them with significant financial support as they healed from their injuries.

Never, ever get on the back of a motorcycle without checking the biker’s insurance and making sure you’re covered with UIM!

In another case, a friend of mine and her common-law husband got on their motorcycle to watch the 2017 eclipse in Wyoming. He ended up getting killed in an accident that wasn’t his fault; she was not on the bike at the time, thank goodness. Because we could prove that they were common-law married, she was able to use her UIM coverage to help cover costs from the accident, as well as the pain, financial loss and suffering she experienced after his death.

If you frequently ride on the back of a motorcycle, contact me for a free insurance review! I can quickly make sure that you are covered properly. Call or text me at 303-388-5304.