What to Do After a Car Accident in Denver
Colorado is an at-fault insurance state: the driver who caused an accident is responsible for the damages. What you do in the first hours and days after a crash can determine how much you recover — or whether you recover anything at all.
Stop, stay safe, and call police
Colorado law requires drivers to stop at any accident involving injury, death, or property damage. Move to a safe location, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and ask responding officers for a police report. If an officer does not respond and damage exceeds a small threshold, Colorado law requires you to file a written accident report yourself within a short window — check the current requirement with the DMV.
Exchange information and document everything
Do not admit fault at the scene. Even a polite "I'm sorry" can be used against you later. Colorado uses modified comparative negligence, which means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault — so stick to the facts.
- Names, contact details, and insurance info for all drivers
- Photos of all vehicles, license plates, damage, and road conditions
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
- The responding officer's name and report number
Get medical care
Some injuries, like whiplash and soft-tissue damage, take days to appear. See a doctor promptly and document your treatment. Gaps in medical care are one of the most common ways insurance companies reduce or deny injury claims.
Know Colorado's insurance minimums
Colorado requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in injury liability coverage, plus $15,000 for property damage. Those minimums are often far below the real cost of a serious accident — which is one reason serious crashes usually need an attorney.
Deal with insurers carefully
The other driver's insurance company may call within hours offering a quick settlement. You are not required to give a recorded statement or accept the first offer. Colorado gives you three years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, so take the time to understand the full extent of your injuries and losses first.
When to call a Denver injury lawyer
Consider legal help when injuries require ongoing treatment, the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, fault is disputed, the insurer offers a lowball settlement, or a loved one died in the crash. Denver personal injury attorneys typically work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they recover money for you.
General information, not legal advice
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, fees, deadlines, and dollar limits change — and every situation is different. Consult a licensed Colorado attorney for advice about your specific case.