1. Bachus & Schanker, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, side-impact accidents, rollover accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, high-speed crashes, hit-and-run accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, teen driver accidents, distracted driving accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, subrogation disputes, bad faith insurance claims
Background: Founded in 1996 by J. Kyle Bachus and Darin Schanker. J. Kyle Bachus holds Colorado Bar No. 24441 (admitted 1994) and Florida Bar No. 969745. Bachus graduated from the University of Florida College of Law. The firm has recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. Bachus holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the Lawdragon Top 500 Leading Personal Injury Lawyers in America. Named to Colorado Super Lawyers every year since 2007. Led the trial team that achieved the largest personal injury verdict in Colorado in 2013.
Location: 1801 California Street, Suite 4800, Denver, CO 80202
Contact: (303) 222-2222 | https://www.coloradolaw.net/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained), victim advocates available for catastrophic cases
2. Jordan Law Accident and Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, product liability, ski accidents, dog bite injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, wrongful death claims, property damage claims
Background: Jason W. Jordan is the founding attorney, Colorado Bar No. 37263 (admitted May 17, 2006). Also licensed in Washington State. Graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, American Association for Justice, ABOTA, and Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. Named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40. The firm has recovered over $550 million for clients, including a $131 million verdict for a car accident victim.
Location: 5445 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Contact: (303) 465-8733 | https://jordanlaw.com/
Consultation: Free case consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless successful), 24/7 availability
3. Harding & Associates
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, personal injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle crashes, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, pedestrian accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, civil litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical bill recovery, lost wage compensation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death representation
Background: Phil Harding has been named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Colorado for ten consecutive years. Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, indicating experience with cases resulting in verdicts and settlements exceeding $1,000,000. The firm specializes in personal injury matters and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients.
Location: 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 2600, Denver, CO 80264
Contact: (303) 762-9500 | Toll-free: (800) 878-7888 | https://www.hlaw.com/
Consultation: Free phone consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, rideshare accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, workers compensation, bad faith insurance claims
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, commercial truck accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, bad faith insurance claims, wrongful death representation
Background: Franklin D. Azar founded the firm over 30 years ago. Known as “The Strong Arm” throughout Colorado. The firm has recovered over $2.3 billion for clients and represented over 50,000 clients. The firm maintains a selective caseload to provide personalized attention and often achieves the largest settlement awards in Colorado personal injury cases.
Location: 14426 East Evans Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014
Contact: (720) 372-2222 | https://www.fdazar.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no attorney fees unless compensation recovered)
5. Bell & Pollock P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, dangerous drug claims, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical bill negotiation, Medicaid assistance, future medical treatment recovery, lost wage compensation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death representation
Background: Established in 1984. The firm has decades of experience in personal injury litigation. Attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators with experience handling complex cases. The firm helps clients negotiate down medical bills and secure financial recoveries for future medical treatment needs.
Location: 7535 E. Hampden Avenue, Suite 501, Denver, CO 80231
Contact: (303) 795-5900 | https://www.bellpollockinjury.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement (fees only collected if recovery obtained)
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Colorado
Statute of Limitations:
Colorado law provides three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit arising from a motor vehicle accident (C.R.S. Section 13-80-101). Property damage claims also have a three-year statute of limitations. For claims against government entities, a written notice must be filed within 182 days of the injury. Missing these deadlines typically bars the claim from proceeding.
Fault System:
Colorado is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for resulting damages. Injured parties must prove the other driver was at fault to recover compensation from that driver’s insurance policy.
Comparative Negligence:
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar (C.R.S. Section 13-21-111). If an injured party is found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any compensation. If fault is less than 50%, the damages award is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements:
Colorado requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:
Insurance companies must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, though drivers may decline it in writing. When multiple vehicles are insured under one policy, UM/UIM bodily injury coverage can be stacked.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP):
Colorado does not require PIP coverage. However, Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) is commonly available and covers medical bills regardless of fault.
Damage Caps:
Colorado caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases at $729,790 (adjusted periodically for inflation). There is no cap on economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. Punitive damages are generally capped at the amount of actual damages awarded.
Dram Shop Liability:
Colorado has dram shop laws that allow injured parties to sue establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who subsequently caused an accident.
Reporting Requirements:
Colorado law requires drivers to report accidents involving injuries, death, or property damage exceeding certain thresholds. An accident report must be filed with the DMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in Colorado?
In Colorado, you have three years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to claims for both personal injury and property damage arising from motor vehicle accidents. However, if your accident involved a government vehicle or employee acting within the scope of their duties, you must file a written notice of claim within 182 days of the incident. Failing to meet these deadlines typically results in the court dismissing your case, so consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable.
How does Colorado’s comparative negligence rule affect my compensation?
Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% bar. This means if you share some fault for the accident but are less than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party. Insurance adjusters often try to attribute fault to claimants to reduce payouts.
What should I do if the at-fault driver in my accident was uninsured?
If you are injured by an uninsured driver in Colorado, you may still have options for compensation. First, check if your own auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which would cover your injuries and damages up to your policy limits. Colorado insurers are required to offer UM coverage, though you may have declined it. You may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver, though collecting a judgment may be difficult if they lack assets. An attorney can help identify all potential sources of recovery.
Can I sue a bar or restaurant if a drunk driver injured me in Colorado?
Yes, Colorado has dram shop liability laws that may allow you to pursue a claim against an establishment that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused your accident. To succeed in such a claim, you must demonstrate that the establishment served alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated and that this service contributed to the accident that injured you. These claims can be complex and require evidence of the intoxicated driver’s condition at the time of service.
What damages can I recover in a Colorado car accident case?
In a Colorado car accident case, you may recover economic damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are also recoverable, though Colorado caps these at $729,790 (subject to periodic adjustment). In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may be available, typically capped at the amount of actual damages awarded. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover funeral expenses, loss of support, and loss of companionship.