Metier Law Firm Personal Injury Blog

Meet Tom Metier

As the Founding Partner of Metier Law Firm, Tom Metier has earned the law firm its national reputation for providing Comfort, Safety and Strength® to people who are catastrophically injured and need representation.

Learn more about what sets Tom apart as a personal injury attorney in Colorado and Wyoming, and then contact Metier Law Firm today to get started with a risk-free consultation.

Dedicated To Helping People From A Young Age

Perhaps Tom realized his calling as a child when he saw bullies picking on the weaker kids. Perhaps it was when he was a young college student, alone and helpless as he recovered from a motorcycle accident. Whenever it was that he discovered his passion, one thing was irrefutable: he knew his calling in life was to protect working people and their families who had lost strength due to the wrongful, negligent acts of others.

He committed himself to creating a law firm 100% devoted to litigation. He actively sought to surround himself with injury lawyers who had the same grit, tenacity, and determination to fight for the rights of people who had suffered a catastrophic, life-changing event.

Metier Law Firm was born.

Why Work With Tom As Your Personal Injury Attorney?

Tom, an Iowa native, graduated cum laude from Coe College and received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Iowa. He is a director of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and a faculty member of the Trial Lawyers College. He is also a member of the AAJ’s President’s Club, the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Larimer County Bar Association.

He has the experience, awards, and recommendations needed for you to be confident in choosing him as your personal injury attorney. In 2005, he earned the honor of “Super Lawyer” in “The Best Lawyers in America.” In addition, he earned the highest peer review rating possible in “Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.” He is a board-certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He regularly speaks at legal seminars and teaches attorneys across the country.

Tom is licensed to practice in Colorado, Wyoming, the U.S. District Court-District of Colorado, the U.S. District Court-District of Wyoming, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His diverse practice areas include traumatic brain injuries, motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and trucking accidents.

Besides a personal injury attorney, Tom is also a husband and father. He, his wife, and their two children spend time devoted to their community and charitable events. They also spend a lot of their time enjoying the wonderful outdoors that Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region have to offer.

Professional Associations and Memberships
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 1986 – Present, Executive Committee Member
Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, 1989 – Present, Member
Colorado Bar Association, 1981 – Present, Member
Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1986 – Present, Member
Coloradoans for Civil Justice, 1990 – 1991, Member
Colorado Alliance for Insurance Reform, 1989 – Present, Member
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, 1988 – 1989, Member
Warriors for Justice, 1996 – Present
Trial Lawyers College, Faculty Member
Larimer County Bar Association, Member
AAJ’s President’s Club, Member
Honors and Awards
Super Lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America, 2005
Highest peer review rating possible in Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
Board certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
Find A Personal Injury Attorney Today
Here at Metier Law Firm, we’re dedicated to helping everyone have a voice and receive compensation after life-altering events leave you feeling stranded. In this blog series, we’re going to highlight the accomplishments and unique skill sets that our personal injury attorneys bring to the table (and the courtroom).

As a personal injury attorney in Colorado, Tom helps clients throughout Fort Collins, Denver Metro, Golden, and Colorado Springs. In Wyoming, he helps clients throughout Gillette, Casper, Cheyenne, and Laramie. Contact our personal injury law firm today to get started with a risk-free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.

See our other attorney profiles here:
Mike Chaloupka
Patrick DiBenedetto
Phil Chupik
Todd Ingram
Becca Fisher
Greg Murphy
Jake Hoyer

TL;DR: Key Points

• Summer sees the highest motorcycle theft rates in Colorado, with 937 motorcycles stolen in 2017 despite a 6% drop from the previous year—law enforcement warns of potential increases and urges bikers to take extra protective measures
• Recent Colorado theft cases show thieves are determined—one Kawasaki was stolen from a driveway and abandoned nearby after owner pursued immediately, while an 18-year-old's locked scooter was stolen when thief broke the lock and rolled it away
• Lock your motorcycle to a stationary object in addition to using the ignition lock—employ multiple security layers including disc locks, cable locks, and U-bolts to make theft significantly more difficult
• Cover your motorcycle when parked outside—thieves are less likely to target bikes when they can't easily identify the make and model, making covers an effective deterrent beyond weather protection
• Install audible alarms or LoJack tracking systems—these technologies both deter theft attempts and dramatically improve recovery chances if someone does manage to steal your motorcycle

Did you know that summer is usually when the majority of motorcycle thefts happen in Colorado? This is probably due to more motorcycles being out on the road as riders enjoy the great cruising weather. Now, law enforcement officials are warning bikers to be extra vigilant. A spike in auto and motorcycle thefts is rolling through our state. So, if you’re not taking extra measures to keep your ride safe, you may become an easy target for motorcycle thieves.

How Active Are Motorcycle Thieves Right Now?

When a Colorado Springs man checked his driveway on the morning of July 16^th, he made a shocking discovery. His Kawasaki motorcycle was gone! After checking his security camera, he learned that the theft had just happened, and after searching down the street, he was able to find his bike after the thief abandoned it. Though his story had a happy ending, not all bike owners who fall victim to motorcycle theft recover their motorcycles.

Just a few days later, an 18-year-old stepped out of his house to ride his scooter to work and found it missing. Security footage revealed that a man wearing a bandana walked up and rolled the scooter away. What was even more disturbing was the fact that the young man had locked the bike, but the thief managed to break the lock before rolling the scooter away.

In 2017, the number of motorcycle thefts in Colorado dropped by 6 percent. Despite that drop, 937 motorcycles were stolen in our state last year. Authorities are beginning to worry that these numbers could be climbing in 2018, and they are recommending that motorcyclists take measures to protect their rides.

How Can I Protect My Motorcycle?

In addition to locking your bike, you should also consider locking the bike to a stationary object. Using disc locks, cable locks and U-bolts are also recommended. Remember that thieves are less likely to take a motorcycle if they can’t easily tell what the bike is, so covering your bike when it is outside is a good precaution. An audible alarm or a Lojack system can also help protect your bike and improve your chances of recovery if someone does try to take it.

For more tips about protecting your motorcycle from thieves, keep following the motorcycling attorneys at Metier Law Firm.

TL;DR: Key Points

• Strain, dehydration, and poor circulation are the primary causes of motorcycle riding pain—understanding these root causes is the first step to relieving discomfort and extending ride duration
• Proper riding position prevents hand, wrist, back, and knee pain—keep forearms, wrists, and brake lever in a straight line, maintain straight posture to avoid back strain, and sit further back if knees are bent too far
• Motorcycle adjustments through aftermarket solutions address ergonomic challenges—handlebar brackets can raise, lower, or reposition grips to relieve hand, shoulder, and back pain, while adjustable rearsets customize foot positions for back and knee relief
• Adjustable windscreens prevent neck pain, fatigue, and headaches by diverting turbulent air off riders, addressing a common but often overlooked source of discomfort on longer rides
• The right gear significantly impacts comfort and safety—gloves with dampening cushions prevent numbness, earplugs prevent hearing loss and headaches, well-fitted leathers encourage proper circulation, and hydration packs improve overall ride quality

Have you ever been on a long ride when a cramp has suddenly struck your hand? Maybe you’ve been out riding as your back starts spasming. Many types of pain can strike while you’re riding a motorcycle. Some are annoying, some can actually affect how you ride, but there are ways to address and avoid such pains.

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Avoiding Motorcycle Riding Pains

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The first step in avoiding motorcycle pains is understanding why your body is hurting. Strain, dehydration and poor circulation are often at the top of this list. Relieving these problems can not only keep your ride pain-free, but it can also extend how long you can ride.

• Riding Position—The position we ride in can often affect the pains we feel in our bodies. If your position leans too far forward, then your hands and wrists could suffer. Try to keep your forearms, wrists and brake lever in a straight line. This will help reduce strain on your hands. If you ride in a position that bends your back awkwardly, try to adopt a straighter posture. If your knees are bent too far, try sitting further back in your seat. Correct positioning can help save you a lot of pain, so make sure you’re riding with the best position for your riding style.
• Motorcycle Adjustments—Not every bike is built for every rider. Some cruisers have handlebars that are too high. Some sport bikes have foot pegs that stuff knees into tanks. Some touring bikes have windshields that are just too short. To fix these problems, the aftermarket has many solutions for your ergonomic challenges. Handle brackets can lower, raise or move your handgrips forward or back. This can relieve pain in hands, shoulders and back. Adjustable rearsets can also allow you to customize your foot positions, relieving back and knee pain. An adjustable windscreen can divert turbulent air off riders as well, preventing neck pain, fatigue and headaches.
• The Right Gear—Did you know that leather jackets that are too tight can push stomach acid into your esophagus? Did you know that most motorcycle helmets don’t have enough sound protection? Even your gloves can affect you pain levels when it comes to riding. Having gloves with dampening cushions can help keep your hands from going numb. Ear plugs can prevent hearing loss and headaches. Well-fitted leathers will not only keep you safe in a crash, but they will encourage proper circulation to keep you riding longer. Even a hydration pack will do wonders to help improve your ride.

Do you have any other tricks or tips to help fight motorcycle riding pains? The motorcycling attorneys at Metier Law Firm would like to hear about them. Head over to our Twitter and Facebook pages to share your knowledge. And keep following our riding attorneys to learn more about motorcycling here across the West from Colorado to Washington — including Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Casper, Portland, Seattle, Omaha, and Cheyenne — and everywhere in between.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

• Harley-Davidson recalled 57,000 motorcycles worldwide due to an oil line that can come loose, dropping oil in front of the rear tire and causing crashes—affecting specific 2017 models built between July 2 and May 9
• Affected models include Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Police Electra Glide, Police Road King, Road King, Road King Special, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, Road Glide, and Road Glide Special—all requiring immediate dealership service
• The oil leak problem has already caused two crashes and one minor injury, with potential for more incidents if owners don't heed the recall and get their motorcycles serviced immediately
• Harley-Davidson will fix the problem free at dealerships by reinstalling a clamp in the engine—a relatively simple repair that prevents potentially dangerous oil slicks on the road
• This recall resurrects Harley's historical reputation for oil leaks, a problem that had been resolved for years through engineering advances but has returned due to this specific manufacturing defect in 2017 models

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Have you ever watched Discovery Channel’s Harley and the Davidsons? It’s a docu-drama about the creators of America’s legendary motorcycle marque. For anyone fascinated by Harley-Davidson, it’s an interesting watch, but there’s a scene in this film that has rippled through the ages. Now, a new recall harkens back to this classic Harley problem, and you need to be aware of it.

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New Harleys Leaking Oil Like Old Harleys
In the scene mentioned above, Walter Davidson helps solve a problem with the engine of their motorcycle. Unfortunately, this fix causes the engine to leak oil, a detail that Bill Harley—the engine’s engineer—is reluctant to accept. This scene depicted a detail about Harley-Davidson motorcycles that would follow the brand for decades.

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Harley engines have been known by many enthusiasts to leak oil, but that hasn’t been the case for quite a few years. As Harley has become more advanced, oil leak problems have become the stuff of legends to the manufacturer. However, a new recall is digging up that old skeleton.

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Harley-Davidson is recalling 57,000 motorcycles worldwide due to an oil line that can come loose. This could drop oil in front of the rear tire and cause a crash. The problem affects specific 2017 models built between July 2 and May 9. The affected models include the Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Police Electra Glide, Police Road King, Road King, Road King Special, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, Road Glide and Road Glide Special.

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The company promises to fix the problem at dealerships by reinstalling a clamp in the engine. If you own one of these recalled Harley’s, you need to take your bike in ASAP. So far, the company has said that the oil leak problem has cause two crashes and a minor injury, but if the recall isn’t heeded, that number could grow.

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Brought to you by the motorcycling attorneys of the Metier Law Firm—keeping an eye on motorcycle safety.