What to Do When Injured in a Car Accident in Denver, CO
Were you hurt in a car accident in Denver, Colorado, and unsure of what to do next? If you’re searching for a trusted Denver car accident lawyer, Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Call our firm today at (720) 613-9706 to schedule a free consultation and get guidance on protecting your future.
A car crash upends life fast: missed work, doctor visits, and bills piling up, all while dealing with the insurance company. Knowing exactly what to do in the first hours and days can protect your health and your right to compensation. Here’s a clear guide to the steps to take after you are injured in a Denver car accident.
Why Choose Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to Help You After A Car Accident in Denver?
Serious injuries deserve a serious legal team. At Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we bring decades of combined experience advocating for crash victims in Denver, CO.
Our results speak loudly with tens of millions recovered and record-breaking verdicts in Colorado. We’ve been named 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Denver, National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Best Law Firms by Best Lawyers.
Our Denver personal injury lawyers know the local courts, the defense playbook, and the pressure points that move cases. When you hire our firm, you get a team that answers your questions, keeps you updated, and treats your case like it’s the only one on our desk – because to you, it is.
Call our law firm today for your free case evaluation with a Denver car accident attorney ready to fight tirelessly to secure your future.
Step One: Call 911 or the Police at the Scene
In some situations, you are required to stop after a crash and report it by calling 911 or the local police department. If anyone seems to be injured, call 911 for emergency medical response. If it isn’t an emergency, you can call the Denver Police Department’s non-emergency line: (720) 913-2000.
Sometimes, police do not respond to accidents that do not involve injuries. If police do not respond to the scene, you still may be required to report the crash. You can report an accident online to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Step Two: Exchange Information With Other Drivers and Passengers
Colorado law also requires that you render aid if necessary and exchange information with the other driver.
Exchange information with other motorists:
- Full name, phone number, and address
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make, model, year, and license plate number
- Auto insurance information
Get the names and contact information for passengers and witnesses to the accident.
Step Three: Preserve Evidence
While safety and health are the main priorities, do your best to preserve evidence from the scene. If possible, take video or photographs of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and the general scene.
Note if there are any nearby cameras that may have captured the crash. This includes traffic cameras, nearby businesses that may have surveillance, and homes with doorbell cameras.
This evidence may be important to prove liability.
Step Four: See a Doctor and Document Everything
Even if you feel “okay,” get evaluated the same day. Adrenaline hides symptoms; early care both protects your health and ties injuries to the crash. Follow-up care matters too.
Keep every appointment, follow medical advice, document your recovery and related expenses, such as:
- Keep discharge summaries, imaging reports, prescriptions, and referrals
- Track out-of-pocket costs like co-pays, medication, and mileage to and from appointments
- Keep a simple journal tracking symptoms, pain, sleep problems, missed work, and daily restrictions
Unless you rejected it in writing, your auto insurance policy includes at least $5,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. This can help pay medical bills regardless of fault, including your initial care and follow-up appointments after the crash.
Step Five: Notify Insurance and Be Careful With Statements
You do need to notify your insurer promptly after a crash. However, do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Seemingly innocent comments can be used against you.
An attorney can handle all communications to avoid missteps that can harm your case.
Step Six: Understand Key Colorado Rules That Affect Your Claim
Colorado is a fault-based state. The at-fault driver’s insurance policy pays for damages. Your policy may cover your initial medical bills and property damage, and provide coverage if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Comparative negligence matters. If you’re partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, and if your negligence is as great as or greater than the defendant’s, you recover nothing. Insurers often overstate a victim’s fault to drive down value. An attorney will push back with evidence.
While most car accident cases are settled out of court, sometimes a lawsuit is necessary. You must file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. In Colorado, there is a three-year deadline in most cases.
Step Seven: Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney
Many car accident claims don’t require an attorney’s help, but it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer if you were injured. Remember that the insurance company will try to minimize your payout, blame you if possible, and minimize the severity of your injuries.
Once a settlement is signed, it’s final, and you can never recover additional money even if you find out your injuries are more serious than you realized or your medical costs are greater than expected.
An attorney will make sure your interests and legal rights are protected from the very beginning and fight for the maximum value of your claim.
Contact Our Denver Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a car crash in Denver, CO, you don’t have to navigate the legal and insurance maze alone. Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers can step in immediately to protect evidence, build your claim, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Denver car accident attorney to talk about your options and what we can do.
