Denver Motorcycle Safety Courses
Motorcyclists in Denver, CO, have two options for obtaining motorcycle endorsements: They can either pass written and road exams at their local DMV office or complete state-approved Denver motorcycle safety courses. In either case, the goal is to ensure prospective motorcycle operators have the knowledge and practical training to handle their vehicles safely.
Be that as it may, even a skilled motorcyclist can be hit by a careless driver. If you find yourself in such a scenario, a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer from Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers can explain your options for seeking injury compensation. We have extensive experience fighting for injured clients in the Mile High City.
If you need help after a motorcycle crash, call our Denver personal injury attorneys at (720) 613-9706 to schedule a free consultation.
How Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Denver, CO
At Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience. We’ve used it to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for accident victims throughout Denver, Colorado, including several record-setting recoveries across the state.
Should you get hit by a negligent driver while riding through the area, our Denver personal injury lawyers can support you by:
- Analyzing your accident to determine the legal claims you can pursue
- Building a case with your medical records and other evidence that proves what occurred
- Negotiating with the driver’s auto insurer to resolve your claim
- Taking the driver to court if their insurance carrier fails to offer a fair settlement
Accidents typically happen when drivers act carelessly or aggressively around motorcycles. With that in mind, do not hesitate to contact us to request a free consultation with a Denver motorcycle accident attorney to learn how we stand up to insurers and drivers in these situations.
Who Should Take a Denver Motorcycle Safety Course?
Colorado does not require a motorcycle safety course for licensing; any rider over the age of 16 can choose to take written and skills tests, bypassing the motorcycle safety course.
Specifically, the applicant will first take the written exam, then (after receiving a passing score) pay a fee to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit. The rider will then use that permit to practice riding under the supervision of an adult 21 years or older with a motorcycle endorsement.
Riders under 18 must hold their permits for at least one year before applying for full endorsements; however, riders over 16 who take the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) course will receive a certificate allowing them to skip the need for an instruction permit (and the associated one-year waiting period) and apply directly for the endorsement.
Motorcycle safety courses are not limited to first-time license applicants, either; more experienced riders can attend to brush up on their skills and learn about new laws.
Subjects Taught in Motorcycle Safety Courses
The MOST course, which is based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course, consists of two days of instruction. The first day’s lessons occur in the classroom, while the second day involves ten hours of hands-on instruction.
Overall, the course covers the general knowledge necessary to ride safely, such as:
- Understanding how motorcycles work
- Managing risks while riding
- Developing safety-oriented riding strategies
Some of the specific skills students will learn include the following:
- How to properly use safety equipment, such as motorcycle helmets
- Starting and stopping
- Controlling the motorcycle at low speeds
- Accelerating and shifting gears
- Cornering
- Crossing obstacles, such as railroad tracks and speed bumps
- Emergency maneuvers
Students must pass either a written or riding test at the end of each day.
The Effect of Training on Liability for Colorado Motorcycle Accidents
The liability for a motorcycle accident usually falls on the negligent party. “Negligence” refers to someone exposing others to an unreasonable risk of injury or death; in other words, road users, including motorcyclists and drivers, must act with the caution expected of a reasonably careful person. Should they fail to do so, they bear the liability for any accidents they cause.
Thus, a driver who turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcyclist, for instance, will likely bear the liability for the rider’s injuries, seeing as they should have yielded to the motorcycle. Turning instead of waiting violates right-of-way rules, and the cause of the violation will likely not matter; the driver will be liable whether they were distracted or failed to spot the motorcycle.
However, under Colorado law, negligent drivers can reduce the damages they pay by shifting some or all of the blame to the motorcyclist. Thus, a driver could argue that the motorcyclist drove carelessly, citing the rider’s lack of formal training to explain the careless act.
Of course, that defense will not apply to all motorcycle crash cases. If a rider did everything right, they would not share liability for their injuries, regardless of whether they received any training via a motorcycle safety course.
Contact Our Denver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Unfortunately, taking a safety course and following the rules of the road will not eliminate the risk of other motorists hitting your motorcycle. If you are ever struck and injured, contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your crash with our Denver motorcycle accident lawyers.
