Personal Injury Lawyers in Colorado

Your rights in Colorado

Deadlines are the statute of limitations. Missing one usually bars the claim, so confirm the deadline that applies with a local attorney.

In Colorado, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of injury, but motor vehicle accident claims have a three-year deadline. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of discovery and no later than three years after the act, wrongful death claims within two years of death, and government claims require a notice of claim within 182 days. Colorado follows modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar: you recover only if you are less than 50% at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you recover $70,000; at 50% or more fault, you recover nothing. Non-economic damages are capped, with the cap raised under 2024 law, and medical malpractice has separate caps. Colorado uses an at-fault auto insurance system.

What a claim is worth in Colorado

National ranges for context, not a Colorado average. Your case depends on your injuries, evidence, and insurance.

In Colorado, your share of fault under the modified comparative negligence rule (50% bar) can reduce or completely bar your recovery, so the value of your claim depends heavily on how fault is assigned. Damage caps also limit non-economic damages, which are capped and were raised under 2024 law, with separate caps for medical malpractice. Generally, economic damages are added to pain and suffering, often using a multiplier of 1.5 to 5 times economic damages, and waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement helps document the full extent of your injuries.

How a claim works in Colorado

After a Colorado injury, the first steps are getting medical care and documenting the incident, including photos, witness information, and a police report if applicable. Your attorney will then gather records, calculate damages, and send a demand letter to the insurance company. Negotiation follows, and if no fair offer is made, a lawsuit can be filed. Colorado's filing deadline is two years from the date of injury, or three years for motor vehicle accidents, so it is important to act promptly to preserve your claim.

Do you have a case?

To have a personal injury case in Colorado, you must show four negligence elements: the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, caused your injuries, and you suffered damages. Colorado's modified comparative negligence rule (50% bar) means you recover only if you are less than 50% at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Practically, this means proving the other party's fault and minimizing your own share is critical, because at 50% or more fault you recover nothing.

• DutySomeone owed you a reasonable standard of care.
• BreachThey failed that duty through action or neglect.
• CausationThat breach is what caused your injury.
• DamagesYou suffered real harm, from bills to lasting effects.