Colorado Car Accident Laws: What You Need to Know

In Colorado, it is illegal for motorists to drive without insurance. Additionally, those involved in an accident must immediately notify law enforcement and exchange information with other drivers.

Colorado Driver Responsibility Law

Colorado’s Driver Responsibility Law puts the burden of responsibility on the driver. The law states that if a driver is involved in an at-fault accident – meaning that the driver was negligent and their actions led to an accident – then they may be held liable for damages caused. If this is found to be the case, then the at-fault driver will be required to pay for any property damage or personal injury resulting from the accident.

Popular cities in Colorado that we service include: Denver.

Drivers who are found to be at-fault can also face other consequences due to Colorado’s Driver Responsibility Law. If a driver is found guilty of negligence in an accident, then they may face stiff fines and possible suspension or revocation of their license. The severity of these punishments depend on the type and extent of damages, as well as previous driving history.

Supporters of Colorado’s Driver Responsibility Law argue that it encourages drivers to take more care while on the road, preventing future careless accidents and improving overall safety. Detractors, however, note that the punishments included in this law may be too severe for some drivers and can lead to financial hardship in cases where no real harm has been done.

No matter which side of this debate one takes, it is clear that Colorado’s Driver Responsibility Law places greater legal responsibility on drivers involved in accidents. This sets the stage for a thorough examination of liability after an accident; for that reason, the next section will explore what happens when there is a car accident in Colorado and someone is liable for the damages caused.

• As of July 1, 2021, Colorado has a new distracted driving law that restricts any type of vehicle operation while using a cell phone.
• The state of Colorado has passed a law that specifies that drivers need to keep at least three feet between themselves and cyclists when passing.
• A 2013 study found that the likelihood of being involved in a fatal car crash decreased 8% for every 10 mph increase drop in posted speed limit within Colorado.

Liability After a Colorado Car Accident

When it comes to financial liability after a Colorado car accident, the law follows a system of fault-based negligence. This means that whoever is deemed at fault for the collision is also responsible for all resulting damages or injuries. It is important to understand how this system works in Colorado as it is necessary for establishing who should be compensated after an accident.

In Colorado, each driver shares responsibility with the other to drive safely and follow any applicable traffic laws. If a driver breaches this duty by acting carelessly, they can be held legally liable. Under statutorily comparative negligence law in the state, if an injured person’s negligence was a partial cause of their accident, they may still collect damages but will have their award reduced in proportion to their degree of fault.

On the other hand, some question if drivers have any legal responsibility when faced with inclement weather or road conditions. Even though drivers are expected to drive with reasonable care under all circumstances, including bad weather or hazardous roads, there are times when these conditions cannot necessarily be avoided and drivers may escape fault. Typically, what would be considered “reasonable care” varies based on the circumstances; for example, during rainstorms or blizzards drivers are expected to maintain slower speed limits and longer following distances than usual but trying to maneuver around an unexpected oil slick could be seen as unreasonable given how little time a driver has to react in such cases. Ultimately, however, it is up to the court to decide whether any specific actions were reasonable or not which is why if you plan on engaging in a personal injury lawsuit after an accident it is essential that you consult experienced legal professionals first.

Finally, debates over fault in the event of car accidents continue to be both complex and important considerations in courtrooms throughout the state. Establishing fault can make or break a case so understanding liability laws and finding professional legal help when needed can greatly enhance your chances of receiving adequate compensation for injuries sustained during an auto accident in Colorado. In the next section we will discuss what must be proven when establishing fault in Colorado car accidents.

Establishing Fault in Colorado

Establishing fault in a car accident is critical for determining who should receive compensation for medical costs, auto repairs, lost wages, and other damages. In Colorado, the courts will use either a “comparative negligence” or “contributory negligence” rule to allocate financial responsibility for an accident.

Comparative negligence assigns fault proportionally according to each motorist’s percentage of fault in the accident – that is, what percentage of the harm caused was due to their own negligent behavior. Fault can range from minor mistakes (e.g., missing a stop sign) to major ones (e.g., running a red light). The most important element is proving negligence on the part of the other driver with evidence such as eyewitness accounts, traffic camera footage, police reports, etc.

Under contributory negligence, any level of fault by one driver means they cannot recover damages caused by another party in the accident – even if their own role was minor or harmless. This means if another driver recklessly speeds through an intersection and hits you while your brake lights are out, they can potentially avoid financial liability entirely.

Like many states in the US, Colorado follows a hybrid system that combines principles from both comparative and contributory negligence laws: The “modified comparative fault” rule applies when there is shared responsibility for an accident but both parties are still held accountable for their respective roles in causing it – no matter how small. For recovery of damages to be successful, injured parties must be able to demonstrate that their injury was mainly due to someone else’s negligence (50 percent or less), not just their own (51 percent or more).

With these rules establishing fault in Colorado car accidents can be complex and require expert legal advice. Knowing which laws apply after an accident is essential to ensuring you receive fair compensation if you have been hurt in a car crash. Now that we better understand how blame and liability are assigned after an accident, let’s look at What To Do After a Colorado Car Accident next.

What To Do After a Colorado Car Accident

After a Colorado car accident, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights and interests. First and foremost, whatever you do at the scene of the accident will be noted by the investigating authorities and can affect the outcome of any legal claims that may arise in the future.



If you are physically able, check for injuries among those involved. If anyone is injured, immediately call for medical help. Even minor injuries may become serious over time if not treated promptly. Get out of the way of traffic and make sure everyone involved is safe from harm.

In general, it is important to stay calm, be polite but also remain assertive to ensure that your rights are respected after an accident. Exchange information with any other drivers involved in the crash, including insurance coverage and contact information. Be mindful that what you say can be taken down by witnesses or recorded by witnesses on their phones and could be used against you at some point later, so avoid admitting fault or making assumptions about any details of the accident.

Take pictures of the vehicles involved — all angles, license plates and visible damage — as well as any skid marks or debris on the road that could suggest details of how the crash occurred. Photos are evidence which can be used to support your claim in court, if necessary. Additionally, get contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident for potential testimony later down the line.



It’s in your best interest to get a police report as soon as possible after an accident – even if there were no reported injuries – it is still important to establish a record of what happened and preserve important evidence before it disappears (i.e., tire marks). When an officer arrives at the scene, take notes on what was said during the investigating process and obtain an official report before leaving the scene.

Finally, don’t forget to follow up with medical care if needed once you’ve left the scene of the accident. Prompt treatment can reduce recovery time and aid in establishing any long-term effects related to your injuries or a traumatic experience. Your next step after leaving an accident scene should be informing your insurance company about what happened as soon as possible so you can begin dealing with any claims related to property damage or personal injury expenses from your provider.

By taking these steps after being involved in an accident in Colorado, you are better prepared for potential repercussions down the road should liability issues arise later on. Now that we have discussed what one should do following a car accident, let’s move onto our next section regarding reporting procedures after an auto collision: REPORTING THE ACCIDENT.

Report the Accident

After a car accident in Colorado, it is important to understand your reporting requirements. Under Colorado law, you must report any accident that results in more than $1,000 worth of property damage or bodily injury. To form a complete and accurate record of the incident, you should obtain and document as much information at the scene as possible. This includes writing down identifying details, such as make and model of each vehicle, license plate numbers of all cars involved in the accident, contact information for all drivers and passengers, insurance info from all drivers involved and any other third parties impacted by the accident.

In certain cases, the responding police officer or sheriff will issue an official crash report detailing the circumstances of the incident. However, even if this is not done it is still important to contact local authorities and submit a self-report of the incident. Leaving out required details may lead to citation from local law enforcement.

It’s also recommended to contact your insurance company as soon as possible following a car accident in Colorado. Notifying them immediately can help ensure coverage for medical costs, especially if someone else was at fault in the accident. Some argue that contacting an attorney first may be more beneficial for this reason. Others suggest involving a lawyer after the fact to represent your interests during official proceedings and assert your legal rights.

Regardless of whether you choose to involve legal counsel initially or alone consult with your auto insurance provider after an accident in Colorado, having comprehensive documentation on hand can help protect you against future liability claims. Now that we have discussed what actions need to be taken after a car accident in Colorado, we will review your legal rights and coverage options under applicable laws.

Legal Rights and Coverage After a Colorado Car Accident

Following a car accident, the victims involved have certain rights and legal coverage in Colorado. According to the laws of Colorado, all drivers must carry liability insurance to cover any losses incurred in a car accident. Liability insurance seeks to protect the passenger and other driver by ensuring that the damage caused by an at-fault driver is covered by an insurance policy. In addition, victims may claim benefits through their own insurance company; this protection is known as “no-fault” or “personal injury protection” (PIP). PIP pays for medical bills, lost wages, and other necessary expenses incurred after the accident regardless of who was responsible for causing the accident. Additionally, victims are entitled to damages if they were partly liable for the crash. Colorado state law follows a “comparative fault” system which states that if a victim is found to be less than 50% at fault for causing an accident, they can still collect damages from any other party deemed more responsible for the crash.

It should be noted that not all victims can receive compensation under Colorado car accident laws. In some cases, when a driver is considered too irresponsible for their actions leading up to the crash, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they would be held personally liable for all costs associated with the car accident. Similarly, if someone chooses to drive without valid registration or insurance documentation, they may not be able to access any benefits or compensations.

Now that we have highlighted the rights and protections available after a Colorado car accident, let’s move on to discuss another important issue – the statute of limitations in Colorado car accident claims.

Statute of Limitations in Colorado Car Accident Claims

Under Colorado law, individuals who are injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligent behavior have the right to seek compensation for their losses. Similar to other states, personal injury claims in Colorado must be pursued within certain time limits, otherwise known as a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for bringing a lawsuit related to a motor vehicle accident is two years from the date of the incident, meaning you must file any lawsuit within this time period in order to pursue a legal claim.

The purpose of these legal time limits is to encourage people to bring their claims promptly and also ensure that criminal justice is served fairly. When it comes to car accidents, it is important evidence is collected while fresh and available. In addition, witnesses should be questioned while their memories are still vivid. As such, car accident victims should take proactive steps as soon as possible following their accident or injury when pursuing a claim.

Similarly, defendants who are being sued should not be kept in the dark indefinitely regarding accusations made against them; under Colorado law, defendants have a right to due process and notice of all claims brought against them.

Although statute of limitations provides clear legal boundaries for pursuing personal injury cases related to automobile collisions in Colorado, there are some exceptions that may extend the amount of time allowed for filing a claim. For instance, if the plaintiff was not aware of the injury shortly after the incident (perhaps because of delayed medical writings or symptoms becoming apparent much later), then he or she may be given more time to file suit before the claim becomes barred by statutes. Furthermore, if one party involved in an accident is either underage at the time of incident or has been declared legally incompetent (due to illness or disability) than standard rules pertaining to limitation periods do not apply and they may have longer than two years from the date of incident or injury to pursue his or her claim. Likewise minors are also given more time allowed to make a claim if applicable under Colorado state law.

It is important that victims understand that failure to comply with state laws regarding statutes of limitations can result in losing their right to pursue damages for their losses altogether. That is why it is advisable that anyone who has been injured in an auto collision seek legal advice as soon as possible so they may take action while they are still within their rights under state law.

Having covered what individuals need to keep in mind ABOUT STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN COLORADO CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS; let us now explore what happens when an individual pursues PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS IN COLORADO CAR ACCIDENTS…

Personal Injury Claims in Colorado Car Accidents

When it comes to recovering damages after a car accident in Colorado, injured parties have the option of filing personal injury claims with the at-fault insurer. These claims are meant to compensate individuals for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses resulting from their injuries. The vehicle’s insurance coverage limits play an important role in the success of personal injury claims. The minimum liability limits required by law in Colorado are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury; however, these limits may not be enough to fully cover an individual’s economic and noneconomic damages associated with an auto accident.

Colorado is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that injured parties can recover damages if they are less than 51% at fault in the accident. If a person is found to be more than 50% responsible for the auto accident, they cannot file a personal injury claim. As such, it is important for injured individuals to make sure that they hire an experienced lawyer who can accurately prove that another party acted negligently and contributed to the car crash.

By obtaining legal representation from an experienced car accident lawyer, injured individuals have access to resources that may help increase their chances of receiving fair compensation for their losses. That’s why it’s important to consider the benefits you get from retaining an experienced attorney when presented with Colorado car accident laws and understanding your options when filing personal injury claims. In the next section, we will discuss the various ways that working with a qualified attorney may help you win your case.

Benefits of Retaining an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

When dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in Colorado, it’s in your best interest to retain an experienced lawyer. A knowledgeable lawyer can help navigate complex legal procedures and obtain the most favorable results possible. There are many benefits to having a legal representative who understands the nuances of Colorado car accident laws and can work on your behalf.

1. Complete Knowledge and Understanding of Colorado Car Accident Laws: An experienced lawyer has a complete understanding of all the applicable laws governing car accidents in the state. This expertise enables them to identify what rights you have and provide the best advice for moving forward.

2. Skillful Negotiation: One of the key roles lawyers play when it comes to car accidents is negotiating damage awards on behalf of clients. Your lawyer will handle all negotiations with insurance companies, other involved parties, or court proceedings as necessary in order to obtain compensation that reflects your financial and medical losses as well as pain and suffering due to the accident.

3. Supportive Advocate: Those involved in car accidents often feel overwhelmed by the process. An experienced lawyer will help ease this burden by taking over communication with other parties and ensuring that deadlines are met throughout the personal injury claim process. In addition, they provide emotional support along with information so that you feel better prepared to make sound decisions.

4. Reduce Stress: With an experienced lawyer at your side, you don’t have to put yourself through the stress of filing paperwork, appearing in court, or dealing with insurance adjusters by yourself. You can relax knowing that your attorney is making sure every t crossed and i dotted when it comes to processing your case and securing compensation from those responsible for your injuries or damages.

The potential downside to retaining a car accident lawyer is usually associated with cost-related factors such as fees charged by attorneys for their services or expenses incurred during litigation. However, most often any minor costs are quickly offset by much larger settlements or awards earned through skilled legal representation working for you rather than against you.

Frequently Asked Questions and Responses

Are there any special laws for teenage drivers involved in a car accident?

Yes. Teenage drivers involved in a car accident in Colorado may be subject to special laws, such as GDL (Graduated Driver Licensing) and zero tolerance laws. GDL allows teenagers to gain driving experience under certain restrictions, such as the number of passengers allowed or nighttime driving limits. Zero tolerance laws make it illegal for those under 21 to operate a vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of .02 or greater. This means that even a small amount of alcohol consumed by someone under 21 is illegal to drive with.

How does Colorado determine who is at fault for a car accident?

In Colorado, fault for a car accident is determined by analyzing the details of the accident and determining if one of the drivers was negligent. Negligence includes failing to pay attention, driving recklessly or carelessly, or failing to follow applicable traffic laws. Generally speaking, the driver who acted negligently will be found at fault for an accident. However, even if both drivers shared some degree of fault (through contributory negligence), one driver can still be assigned primary responsibility and held liable for damages resulting from the accident. Ultimately, it’s up to the court to make a determination as to who was at fault.

What types of compensation am I entitled to after a car accident in Colorado?

The amount and type of compensation that you are entitled to after a car accident in Colorado is largely based on the individual situation of the accident. Generally, however, you may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost wages from being unable to work, car repairs or replacement costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

In order to receive any compensation after a car accident in Colorado, you must first demonstrate that the other party was at fault for causing the crash. This can be demonstrated by gathering facts related to the accident such as police report and witness statements. Once fault has been established, you can then file a personal injury claim with their insurance company outlining what happened and requesting compensation.

When determining the amount of compensation you may be entitled to after an accident, courts consider factors such as the nature of your injuries (the severity and treatment needed), time missed from work as a result of your injuries, loss of life’s pleasures due to physical or emotional changes caused by your injuries, scarring or disfigurement resulting from your injuries, and long-term effects of the accident.

It is important to remember that each applicant’s case is unique and that receiving full compensation requires the knowledge and expertise of an experienced Colorado car accident lawyer who can investigate all applicable facts regarding the crash and its repercussions. A lawyer can provide guidance and help ensure victims seek all available means for obtaining justice in their particular case.