Colorado drivers face mountain passes, sudden snow and steep grades on I-70, plus heavy commuter traffic on I-25 along the Front Range from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. Colorado moved from no-fault to an at-fault system in 2003, so the at-fault driver's liability insurance is usually the main source of compensation.
Is Colorado a no-fault state?
No — Colorado is an at-fault state. Colorado is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash — through their liability insurer — is generally responsible for the injured person's losses. You can usually file a claim with that insurer, with your own insurer, or file a lawsuit.
Colorado does not require PIP. Insurers must offer medical payments coverage, which you can reject in writing.
Learn more in our guide to what a no-fault state is.
How does shared fault work in Colorado?
Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 50% bar. Your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you generally cannot recover if you are found 50% or more responsible.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for a crash in Colorado, your compensation could be reduced by 20%. If your share reached the 50% bar, you could be barred from recovering from the other driver.
Read more: what comparative fault means.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Colorado?
In Colorado, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the injury, with some exceptions. Colorado generally allows three years for injury claims from motor vehicle accidents, compared with two years for many other injury claims.
Other deadlines can be much shorter. Your insurance policy may require prompt notice of the crash, PIP and uninsured-motorist claims can have their own timelines, and claims against a city, county or the State of Colorado often need formal notice within months. Different rules can also apply to minors and wrongful death claims.
What are Colorado's minimum car insurance requirements?
Colorado requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage.
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical payments coverage or PIP may help. See what to do if an uninsured driver hit you.
What should I do after a car accident in Colorado?
Get safe, get medical care and protect your evidence. These steps apply anywhere in Colorado:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move out of traffic if it's safe — especially on busy roads like I-25 or I-70.
- Call the police and ask how to get the crash report. Colorado generally requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death or significant damage.
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers, and photograph the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine.
- Notify your own insurer, but be careful about giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
- Talk to an independent Colorado attorney before signing any release, keeping the three years deadline in mind.
Our full what to do after a car accident guide goes into more detail.
Where do car accidents happen in Colorado?
Crashes happen everywhere, but traffic is heaviest in and around Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins and Boulder. Major routes include I-25, I-70, I-76, I-225, US-36 and C-470. Our attorney-matching service covers every county in Colorado.