Motorcycle accidents in Colorado

The helmet question

Colorado’s rule is narrower than most people think.

The assumption problem

Riders are routinely assumed to have been speeding, lane splitting or riding recklessly. Colorado apportions fault by percentage, so every assumption that sticks is money off the claim. Scene photographs, independent witnesses and the physical evidence are what move it back.

Injuries and the limits problem

Motorcycle injuries are more often the kind that exhaust a minimum policy. That makes the underinsured motorist cover on the rider’s own policy central rather than incidental.

The Colorado rules that apply

Colorado requires a helmet only for motorcycle riders and passengers under 18, but requires eye protection for every rider regardless of age. Colorado Department of Transportation, motorcycle laws verified 2026-09-11

Colorado has no statute equivalent to the seat belt rule for motorcycle helmets, so whether helmet non-use can reduce damages is not settled by statute. No Colorado statute located verified 2026-09-14

Colorado reduces damages in proportion to the injured person’s share of fault, and bars recovery altogether once that share is as great as the fault of the person being sued — half the blame, where there is a single defendant. C.R.S. § 13-21-111(1)

Uninsured and underinsured motorist cover is added to every Colorado policy automatically, matched to your liability limits, unless you reject it in writing. C.R.S. § 10-4-609 verified 2026-09-11

In Colorado, a claim for injury or property damage arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle must be brought within three years. C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n) verified 2026-09-11