It is important to remember that an operator of a bicycle has the same duties as an operator of a motor vehicle while using the public roadways.  If you fail to obey the “rules of the road” and wind up in an accident, your rights to recover will likely be significantly prejudiced, if not altogether lost.  In Colorado, your comparative negligence can reduce or bar your claim entirely.  Simply put, “comparative negligence” means a comparison between your level of responsibility for an accident with that of the motorist.  In order to recover damages for property damage or personal injury, you must prove that the motorist is more than 50% at fault for the accident.  If you are 50% or more at fault, your right to recover is lost.  If you are less than 50% at fault, your damages can be reduced by your relative percentage of fault. 

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