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DENVER, Denver County, Colo., Sept. 25, 2026 — A Denver police motorcycle officer was seriously injured Thursday evening, September 24, in a crash with another vehicle at West 13th Avenue and Bannock Street. The officer's injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening.
The Denver Police Department said the officer was riding to a call with lights and siren activated when the crash happened just after 5 p.m. The other driver involved stayed at the scene.
It has not been determined who was at fault, the police said. The crash remains under investigation, and no further details about the vehicles or the sequence of events have been released.
Authorities have not said whether any citations have been issued, and have not indicated when the investigation is expected to conclude.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
A Common Misconception About Motorcycle Crashes at Intersections
Many drivers assume motorcycle crashes mostly happen on open highways at high speed. In reality, a large share occur at intersections, where a turning car and an oncoming motorcycle share the same short window of time and space. A rider can be doing everything right and still end up in a driver's blind spot or an unnoticed lane.
Another assumption is that motorcyclists get hurt about as frequently as other drivers when a crash happens. The data says otherwise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the motorcyclist fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was almost 28 times the passenger-car occupant fatality rate in 2023.
That gap exists because a motorcycle offers no frame, airbags, or seatbelt to absorb a crash. The bike itself is usually only part of the story; how and where the collision happens, especially at intersections, plays a large role in whether it becomes serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do left-turning vehicles cause motorcycle crashes?
A common pattern involves a car turning left across a lane just as a motorcycle approaches from the opposite direction. Motorcycles are narrower and can be harder to judge for speed and distance, so a driver may misjudge the gap and turn directly into the rider's path.
What can drivers do to spot motorcycles more reliably?
Checking twice before turning or changing lanes, actively scanning for motorcycles rather than just cars, and giving extra time at intersections can help. A motorcycle's smaller profile makes it easy to miss in a glance.
What should a rider do immediately after a crash?
If possible, move to safety, call 911, and stay still until medical personnel arrive, even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours to become apparent.
Are motorcycle crashes more likely at intersections?
Intersections are a common location for motorcycle crashes because they involve turning vehicles, cross-traffic, and split-second decisions, all of which raise the chance a driver fails to see an oncoming rider in time.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Denver, CO
Anyone involved in a motorcycle crash should seek medical evaluation right away, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can hide pain from fractures or head impacts until later.
It's also worth documenting the scene if it's safe to do so: photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries can matter later. Getting the names and contact information of witnesses can help fill in details that police reports sometimes miss.
Finally, follow up with the responding police department for a copy of the official report once it's available. That report usually becomes the reference point for insurance claims and any further review of what happened.
