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Scott O'Sullivan

4 Ways to Know if Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney is an Ambulance Chaser

December 28, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys
Scott O’Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice

Personal injury attorneys have a bad rap. That is no surprise to anyone. The slur “ambulance chaser” is applied to the entire profession because, well, it was earned. There was a time when personal injury attorneys showed up at disaster sites of all kinds and handed out their business cards, hunting for injured clients. I’ve never actually heard of an attorney chasing an ambulance, but I still think the profession has earned the term.

In my estimation, too many people pursue this field of law for pure financial gain. Luckily, there are some of us who pursue it as a calling, our vocation. But how can you tell the difference?

I have written extensively about the legal shops that I call “personal injury mills.” These are the personal injury firms that chew clients up and spit them out, usually with settlements well below what they could have (should have) received. The problem can be especially bad for motorcycle crash victims who often sustain significant injuries, are facing police bias just because they were on a motorcycle, are dealing with hospital bills and big medical decisions, and don’t have time to “babysit” motorcycle attorneys who aren’t doing their job properly.

So, I am going to share the top 4 ways to know if a motorcycle accident lawyer is an ambulance chaser. I’ll share the list and then I’ll take a deeper dive into each of the reasons I give.

Your personal injury attorney might be an ambulance chaser if he/she…

  1. Only speaks to you once and hands your case off to a paralegal, never or rarely speaking with you again.
  2. Charges you fees for anything at all before your case settles.
  3. Talks about settling before understanding your injuries completely. (Or tells you to stop medical treatment so that he/she can settle!)
  4. Tells you what your case is worth before considering all the sources of compensation available to you.

Now, let me break these down so that you understand why they are red flags.

1. Only speaks to you once and hands your case off to a paralegal, never or rarely speaking with you again.

Biker annoyed at phone call

Most ambulance chasers are playing a wicked numbers game. They need a very high number of motorcycle crash cases to pay for their marketing, so they churn clients in the door and lead them to settlement as quickly as possible. In their haste, these attorneys will generally do a very good dog-and-pony show prior to a prospect signing up – meeting with them, returning calls, etc. – but as soon as the client (read: injured victim of a motorcycle crash who probably needs some significant legal help) signs on the dotted line, their case is taken over by a paralegal.

While paralegals are fantastic supports to attorneys, they are not attorneys. If an attorney is not 100% in charge of your case, then you will not receive the representation you need. If only paralegals return your calls, it’s a good sign that the attorney has no idea who you are.

2. Charges you fees for anything at all before your case settles.

The entire personal injury field works on a contingency basis, which means we do not get paid unless you get paid. We must incur all of the costs to research your case, hire the experts to study the scene of the motorcycle accident, work with hospitals and doctors to reduce your medical bills, and (this is perhaps the most important) be willing to absorb all those charges for as long as your treatment takes. If a motorcycle crash victim is seriously injured, that could be years. 

I have heard of attorneys charging their clients for everything from expert witness testimonies to copier paper while they are still working on the case.

If your lawyer is trying to charge you for anything at all prior to your case’s completion, you are probably dealing with an ambulance chaser.

3. Talks about settling before understanding your injuries completely. (Or tells you to stop medical treatment so that he/she can settle!)

Many personal injury attorneys would rather “take the bird in hand” than wait for the two in the bush. By this, I mean that they would rather settle your case for less and do it quickly than wait (perhaps years) for a potentially higher settlement. 

However, motorcycle crash victims often need a lot of time to recover. In Colorado, a case cannot be closed until a victim ceases treatment, thereby putting an end to medical bills. Ambulance chasers would rather convince their clients that they are “fine” than take time to make sure that their recovery is truly headed in the right direction.

Ambulance chasers need the cash now, and they will get it from your case at your expense by encouraging you to quit medical treatment and settle early.

4. Tells you what your case is worth before considering all the sources of compensation available to you.

One of the most time-intensive (and rewarding!) aspects of being a motorcycle accident attorney is in taking a deep dive into the motorcycle victim’s insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, the many other “pots” that may be available for compensation, and putting together a complete picture for each client of what their case may be worth. This takes time. And it also takes a level of passion that you will only find in an attorney who does this work as a vocation.

I have worked with clients who have been told by other attorneys (before they even signed up, let alone researched the accident) that they can only get $25,000 from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Often, my deeper research reveals additional details, like perhaps the driver was in his mom’s car and her insurance is available, too. Or maybe the at-fault driver was in a rental, opening up another “pot” for compensation. You need an attorney who is willing to take the time (and who has the time) to investigate every aspect of your crash.

If you have any questions about your motorcycle crash, don’t hesitate to contact me today! You can call or text me at 303-388-5304.


Scott O’Sullivan is the founder of Rider Justice and the O’Sullivan Law Firm.

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Rider Justice Tagged With: Accident

How to Insure Your Motorcycle Without Going Broke

October 1, 2020 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Insurance is so important. As an avid biker, you embrace the risks as part of the freedom you experience. You also need to embrace insurance.

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

The good news is that, by taking a little time to do some research, you might be able to reduce your insurance premiums. It’s important to understand what Colorado insurance companies take into account when determining the premium on your motorcycle and how to keep your insurance costs down.

The more expensive the bike, the more expensive the insurance

Like most car insurance policies, motorcycle insurance costs vary from bike to bike. Insuring a small or commuter motorcycle will be much less expensive than insurance for a high-end bike that has high horsepower. Therefore, when you’re purchasing your motorcycle, don’t get captivated by the most expensive bike you can possibly afford because you need to leave money in the bank for the high insurance rates you’ll pay on that bad boy.

Consider your budget not only for what you’re willing to pay for the bike up front, but also for how much you can afford when you have to pay the insurance premium every month. 

Also, the bigger the engine, the more it will be to insure. Big engines mean big speed, which generally means big crashes. Along these lines, sport bikes tend to come with much higher insurance premiums than cruisers. It’s important to remember that the safer your motorcycle is, the less expensive your policy will be.

See what insurance Rider Justice recommends for motorcyclists.

Drive Safely

Are you an extremely safe and meticulous driver in your automobile? Some insurance companies will give you a discount on your motorcycle insurance if you’re a good auto driver. The same is often true for motorcycles. Obviously, nobody wants to get in an accident, but if you play it extra safe and always stick to the rules, you’ll have a greater chance of being accident-free. Having no accidents may entitle you to a no-claims bonus. The qualifications for this bonus vary between insurance companies and states so be sure to do your research.

Ride Alone

“Guest passenger” coverage is a category of insurance that only pertains to motorcycles. This is different from automobile policies, which generally cover all other passengers in the vehicle without any extra costs. If you’re a fan of being one—and only one—with your motorcycle, or if you’re willing to become a fan of solo riding, this might be a good way to save some money on your insurance coverage.

Here’s the catch, and it’s important: If you don’t have guest passenger coverage because you’ve decided to be an exclusively solo rider, you should never, EVER let another person ride with you.

If you should get into a motorcycle accident, the financial impact to you could be catastrophic. Imagine your friend with severe or life-threatening injuries and your insurance company saying to you, “We owe you nothing.”

That friend of yours (or their family) could actually sue you (I’ve seen it happen over and over again between people who were the tightest of friends) for help paying their medical bills. You could lose your home and all your other possessions. Never let another rider on your bike unless you’re insured to cover them.

Cap Your Mileage

For a lot of people, their motorcycles aren’t their primary mode of transportation. Some riders just use their motorcycles during spring and summer months, while others tend to take them out only on the weekends. If your motorcycle is more like a toy or a hobby, you may want to consider capping your mileage. Some insurance companies may offer a lower premium for lower annual mileage.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in most states, “insurers can use your credit-based insurance score to determine your premiums.” For example, they reason that if you seem responsible with your money, you’ll be responsible for your own safety.

Insurance companies also figure that you will pay your premiums on time if you have no history of being delinquent on a bill. Each insurance company uses different criteria to determine how you would manage your risk exposure, so make sure to do your research.

Take a Motorcycle Safety Class

I saved the best for last. For many reasons, you should take a motorcycle safety course. The best reason is because it could save your life, and even help you save other lives. Another good reason is because your insurance company may reduce your premium when you give them proof that you passed the course.

My favorite place to take a motorcycle training class in Colorado is at the Motorcycle Training Academy, which has schools in Colorado Springs and Aurora. The instructors there have huge hearts and they understand the passion people have for their bikes. That’s why they are passionate about keeping you safe.

Once you’ve taken that basic safety class and you’ve got some miles under your belt, go back to MTA and take advanced rider courses to keep your skills sharp and learn advanced skills. If you’re willing to invest in new equipment for your bike, be willing to invest in yourself.

There are other ways to reduce your motorcycle insurance premiums, but I don’t necessarily recommend them. For example, don’t increase your deductible just to save a few bucks every month. Also, you NEED to get underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), which will add to your premium, but since Colorado has so many uninsured or underinsured drivers, you need to protect yourself from them. 

As always, if you have any questions at all about this topic, call or text me at 303-388-5304.

Filed Under: Insurance, Legal, Magazine Tagged With: 10/20, motorcycle insurance, Rider Justice, 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 5th, 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*

Filed Under: BikerDown, Events, Rider Justice Tagged With: contest, Honda Monkey, Joel McCoy

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

Filed Under: Concert, Events, Magazine Tagged With: 08/20, Scott O'Sullivan

New Rider: Making All the Right Moves

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

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys
Scott O’Sullivan, Founder of Rider Justice and The O’Sullivan Law Firm

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.

Filed Under: Magazine, Rider Justice, Safety Tagged With: 07/20, new rider, Rider Justice

#2Wheels4Meals Supports Community, Rider Businesses

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

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

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.

Filed Under: BikerDown, Community, Magazine Tagged With: #2Wheels4Meals, 06/20, Rider Justice, Scott O'Sullivan

#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

Filed Under: Colorado Riders Care, Magazine, Rider Justice Tagged With: #2Wheels4Meals, 04/20, Dirty Dogs Roadhouse

Prepping for the Riding Season

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

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

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…] about Prepping for the Riding Season

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Rider Justice, Safety Tagged With: 03/20, Accident Scene Management, ASM, Colorado Legislation, contest, insurance, Legislation, Scott O'Sullivan

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?”

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

“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…] about What Rider Justice Does for You

Filed Under: Insurance, Magazine, Rider Justice Tagged With: 02/20, BikerDown, Rider Justice

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? 

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

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

Filed Under: Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 01/20, Proactive Riding, Scott O'Sullivan

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2021 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey

The 2021 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey has only 6 questions that are … [Read More...] about 2021 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey

Are you ready to ride in 2021?

By Laurie Montoya, President & Founder of BikerDown Foundation Warmer … [Read More...] about Are you ready to ride in 2021?

Morning Stretch

By Stretch McClure I am thrilled to be a new contributor to Colorado Rider … [Read More...] about Morning Stretch

Dirty Dogs Roadhouse is OPEN FOR BUSINESS

By: Laurie Montoya Dirty Dogs is OPEN for BUSINESS, and our biker … [Read More...] about Dirty Dogs Roadhouse is OPEN FOR BUSINESS

2021 is HERE! What Resolutions will you stick to this year?

By: Laurie Montoya 2020 is behind us, A new year is upon us and many hope … [Read More...] about 2021 is HERE! What Resolutions will you stick to this year?

Ambulance with lights flashing

4 Ways to Know if Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney is an Ambulance Chaser

Personal injury attorneys have a bad rap. That is no surprise to anyone. The … [Read More...] about 4 Ways to Know if Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney is an Ambulance Chaser

Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association Gives Back over the Holidays

From the Desk of Belt Drive Betty: On December 16th I got a call at 6:30 am … [Read More...] about Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association Gives Back over the Holidays

Sharks vs. Bats

There is a lot of friendly banter between Street Glide (bat) and Road Glide … [Read More...] about Sharks vs. Bats

BikerDown’s Adopt a Family for Holidays Meets Goals with Help from Special Donor

There is nothing more stressful than the holidays for families, whether it is … [Read More...] about BikerDown’s Adopt a Family for Holidays Meets Goals with Help from Special Donor

SAVE THE DATE – Holiday Events

As the holiday season begins, we are committed to posting all upcoming events … [Read More...] about SAVE THE DATE – Holiday Events

Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays – Nominations are open until November 30th

BikerDown Foundation is in our 9th year of Adopting Families for the Holidays … [Read More...] about Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays – Nominations are open until November 30th

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