Electric bikes and scooters have become an increasingly common way to get around Colorado. Whether commuting to work, riding to school, exploring local trails, or running errands, more people are choosing e-bikes and scooters as a convenient alternative to driving. As their popularity continues to grow, so does the importance of understanding how riders and drivers can safely share the road. Preventing accidents requires awareness, patience, and following the rules, no matter how you're traveling. Know the Rules Before You Ride Colorado uses a three-class system to categorize electric bikes based on how they provide motor assistance and their maximum assisted speed. To qualify as an e-bike under Colorado law, the bike must have operable pedals, a motor rated at 750 watts or less, and meet the speed limits established for its class. Bikes that exceed these limits may be classified differently and may require registration, insurance, and a driver's license. It's also…
Every summer, Colorado residents know that warm weather often comes with an increased risk of wildfires during wildfire season. Dry conditions, high winds, and ongoing drought create the perfect environment for fires to spread quickly, making wildfire prevention everyone's responsibility. While some wildfires are caused by natural events like lightning, many are preventable. Whether you're camping in the mountains, driving across the state, working outdoors, or simply enjoying Colorado's beautiful weather, taking a few simple precautions can help protect your family, your community, and the firefighters who respond to these dangerous events. Check Current Fire Restrictions Before Heading Outdoors Fire restrictions can change quickly depending on weather conditions, drought, and wildfire activity. Before heading outdoors, check whether your destination is under a fire restriction. Restrictions can vary by county, municipality, and the type of land you're visiting, such as National Forests or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The Colorado Division…
If you've never been involved in a serious car accident claim, there's a good chance you have misconceptions about how Colorado Car Accident Lawsuits and the legal process works. At LS Injury Law, we regularly hear questions from clients who are surprised to learn that some of the things they assumed about Colorado Car Accident Lawsuit cases aren't actually true. Here are three facts that often catch people off guard. The Traffic Ticket May Not Come Into Your Injury Case Many people are surprised to learn that the traffic ticket issued after a crash may not play a role in their personal injury lawsuit. Why? Because traffic violations and personal injury claims are based on different legal standards. A traffic ticket is issued under the traffic or criminal code. A personal injury case, on the other hand, focuses on negligence of whether someone acted carelessly and caused injuries to another…
June is Dog Bite Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to talk about a serious issue that affects thousands of people each year. Many people assume dog bites only happen with aggressive or stray animals. The reality is that many dog bite injuries are caused by dogs the victim knows. A family pet, a neighbor's dog, or a friend's dog can bite unexpectedly under the right circumstances. According to data tracked by the United States Postal Service, Denver consistently ranks among the top cities in the country for reported dog bite incidents involving mail carriers. Those numbers only represent bites reported through the USPS system and do not account for attacks involving children, visitors, delivery drivers, or other members of the public. Children Face the Greatest Risk Children are especially vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries. Because young children are often face-to-face with dogs, bites frequently occur to the…
As the school year comes to an end and summer begins, more teen drivers will be driving on the roads here in Colorado. From summer jobs and vacations to late-night outings and road trips with friends, the months between Memorial Day and back-to-school season often bring a noticeable increase in young drivers behind the wheel. While summer can be an exciting time for teens, it’s also one of the busiest and most dangerous times of year for inexperienced drivers. For parents, this season is a good reminder to revisit driving safety conversations and make sure teen drivers are prepared before heading out on the road. Summer Means More Time Behind the Wheel During the school year, many teen drivers have more structured schedules and limited driving time. Once summer starts, that often changes. Teens may begin: Driving longer distances Staying out later at night Traveling with groups of friends Driving…
[caption id="attachment_19223" align="alignright" width="300"] car for traveling with a mountain road. Blue sky[/caption] Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and for many Colorado families, that means road trips, mountain getaways, and more time spent on the road. Whether you're traveling through the Denver metro area, heading into the mountains, or driving across the state, or driving out of state, taking a few extra minutes to prepare your vehicle before leaving can make a major difference in your safety and prevent leaving you stranded. While oil changes and fluid checks are important, one of the most overlooked parts of vehicle safety is tire maintenance. Colorado’s unpredictable spring weather, rough roads, potholes, and winter wear can all take a toll on your tires and affect how your vehicle handles on the road. Before heading out this Memorial Day weekend, here are a few important tire safety checks every driver…
As the weather warms up across Colorado, motorcycles are back on the road and motorcycle safety is more important than ever. From daily commuters to weekend riders heading into the mountains, you’ll start to see more motorcycles sharing the road, especially on busy corridors like I-25. In a recent blog, we covered the new toll system and traffic changes along I-25. With those adjustments, it’s even more important for drivers to stay alert; not just for other vehicles, but for motorcyclists who can be harder to see and more vulnerable in an accident. Why Motorcycle Safety Matters Motorcycles don’t offer the same level of protection as a car or truck. That means: Riders are more exposed in a crash Even minor collisions can lead to serious injuries Visibility is often a challenge, especially in traffic For drivers, this makes awareness critical. A quick glance or missed blind spot check can have…
As of April 7, 2026, a familiar stretch of I-25 in Northern Colorado is operating a little differently. The new I-25 Express Lane Tolls between Berthoud and Fort Collins are now tolled, introducing dynamic pricing designed to keep traffic moving, especially during peak travel times. Spanning approximately 14 miles, this section of I-25 is part of a broader effort to reduce congestion and improve travel reliability along the corridor. How the I-25 Express Lane Tolls Work The system uses adjustable toll pricing, meaning: Prices change based on real-time traffic conditions Tolls are typically higher during peak travel times Rates decrease when traffic is lighter Overhead signs display current toll rates before you enter, helping drivers decide whether to use the lane. The goal is to maintain a steady flow of traffic in the express lanes, even when the general lanes slow down. How to Use the Express Lanes There are a…
What Happens If You Aren’t Wearing a Seat Belt in a Colorado Car Accident? Seat belts are one of the most effective safety features in modern vehicles. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by up to 65%. In our recent article on seat belt safety in Colorado, we discussed how buckling up significantly improves survival rates in car crashes. But what happens if someone involved in an accident wasn’t wearing a seat belt? Can it affect an injury claim? The answer depends on several factors, including how the crash occurred and how the injuries happened. Colorado’s Seat Belt Laws Colorado law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts. Children must also be secured in appropriate car seats or booster seats based on their age and size. Although the law requires seat belt…
Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself on the road, yet every year people are seriously injured or killed in crashes because they were not buckled up. Despite ongoing safety campaigns and increased awareness, seat belt use remains a critical issue across Colorado. Understanding the role seat belts play in preventing injuries can help drivers and passengers make safer choices every time they get into a vehicle. Seat Belt Use in Colorado According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), seat belt usage across the state continues to improve. The 2023 Colorado Statewide Seat Belt Survey found that 88% of Coloradans wear their seat belts, the highest rate recorded in the past decade. Some counties are seeing even stronger compliance. Thirteen counties now have seat belt usage rates above 90%, which represents significant progress compared to 2020 when only six counties met that threshold. However, seat…