COColorado Personal Injury Lawyer

Colorado injury law · plain English

Injured in Colorado? Understand your rights before you sign anything.

Insurers move fast and deadlines are unforgiving. Here's what Colorado law actually says — and how to protect your claim from day one.

What to do first Common questions

What we cover

Common Colorado injury claims

Personal injury law lets someone hurt by another party's negligence recover for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. These are the claims that come up most often across Colorado.

Car & truck accidents

The most common claims — from I-25 and I-70 collisions to city intersections. Colorado is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash is on the hook.

Slip, trip & fall

Premises-liability claims when a property owner fails to fix or warn about a hazard. Colorado's Premises Liability Act sets what a visitor can recover.

Medical malpractice

When a provider's care falls below the accepted standard and causes harm. These cases carry their own rules, caps, and expert requirements.

Workplace injuries

Most are handled through workers' compensation, but a third party's negligence can open a separate injury claim on top of comp benefits.

Wrongful death

When negligence causes a death, close family members can bring a claim. Colorado limits who may sue and the window for filing.

Dog bites

Colorado's dog-bite statute makes owners strictly liable for serious bodily injury, even without a prior history of aggression.

The four things that decide your case

Colorado law essentials

Four rules shape nearly every Colorado injury claim. Getting them wrong — especially the deadline — can end a case before it starts.

The filing deadline

2 years — or 3 for vehicles

Most injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury; motor-vehicle claims get three. Miss it and the claim is almost always barred.

C.R.S. § 13-80-102 & § 13-80-101(1)(n)

Shared fault

The 50% bar rule

Colorado uses modified comparative negligence. Your award is reduced by your share of fault — and if you're 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing.

C.R.S. § 13-21-111

At-fault, not no-fault

Since 2003

Colorado repealed no-fault insurance in 2003. The at-fault driver and their insurer pay for the damages they cause.

Colorado tort system

Damage caps

Noneconomic damages are capped

Colorado caps noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) by statute, with separate rules for medical malpractice. The cap is adjusted periodically — verify the current figure for your claim year.

C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5 & related

Protect your claim

What to do after an injury

The hours and days after an injury shape everything that follows. A simple, consistent record is your strongest asset.

  1. Get medical care immediately.Your health comes first, and a prompt medical record ties the injury to the incident. Gaps in treatment are the first thing an insurer will use against you.
  2. Document everything.Photos of the scene, vehicles, hazards and injuries; names and contact info for witnesses; and the police or incident report number.
  3. Report it — but keep it factual.Notify the relevant party or insurer, but don't speculate about fault or accept blame. Stick to what happened.
  4. Don't accept a quick settlement.Early offers often arrive before the full cost of an injury is known. Once you sign a release, the claim is closed for good.
  5. Talk to a lawyer before the deadline.A consultation is usually free and clarifies whether you have a claim and what it may be worth — well before the two- or three-year clock runs out.

Choosing counsel

How to choose a personal injury lawyer

The right lawyer is experienced in your type of claim, communicates clearly, and is transparent about fees.

Understand contingency fees

Most injury lawyers charge no up-front fee and take a percentage of the recovery only if you win. Get the percentage — and how case costs are deducted — in writing before you sign.

Ask the right questions

How many cases like mine have you handled? Who actually works my file? How do you communicate, and how often? What's your assessment of my claim's strengths and risks?

Looking for a specific attorney? The Colorado Bar Association runs a lawyer referral and information service, and you can confirm any lawyer's standing through the Colorado Supreme Court's Office of Attorney Regulation. Verify licensure before you hire.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

The questions people ask most about personal injury claims in Colorado.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Colorado?
In most cases the deadline is two years from the date of injury. Claims arising from a motor-vehicle accident get three years. Miss the deadline and the court will almost always dismiss the case, so confirm your specific deadline with a lawyer early.
Can I still recover money if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes — as long as you're found less than 50% at fault. Colorado uses modified comparative negligence: your compensation is reduced by your share of fault, and at 50% or more you recover nothing.
Is Colorado a no-fault state for car accidents?
No. Colorado repealed no-fault in 2003 and is now an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages.
What does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Most work on contingency: no up-front fee, and they collect a percentage of the recovery only if you win. Always get the percentage and how case costs are handled in writing before you sign.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
It depends on medical bills, lost income, the severity and permanence of the injury, and your share of fault. Colorado also caps certain noneconomic damages by statute, adjusted periodically — a lawyer can estimate a realistic range for your facts.