What To Do After a Car Crash in Colorado (Step-by-Step Guide)

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Stay safe, protect your health, and preserve your claim

A collision can spin your day—and your life—sideways. The right next steps will protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to get your car repaired and your bills covered. This Colorado-focused guide walks you through exactly what to do at the scene, in the first 24–72 hours, and over the next few weeks—plus the key laws and deadlines that often surprise people.

This is general information, not legal advice. If you’re hurt or unsure what to do, talk with an attorney about your specific situation.

At the scene (minutes 0–30)

  1. Check for injuries & call 911.
    Ask for police and EMS. If anyone is hurt—or there’s any damage at all—Colorado law requires drivers to notify police after exchanging information and rendering aid. Justia Law+1

  2. Move to safety if you can.
    If vehicles are drivable and it’s safe, move them out of traffic. Turn on hazards, set out triangles if you have them.

  3. Exchange information (it’s the law).
    Share your name, address, vehicle registration; show your driver’s license on request, and provide reasonable aid to anyone injured. Justia Law

  4. Do not admit fault.
    Stick to facts for the officer’s report. Fault is determined later—often with video, black-box data, and witness statements.

  5. Document the scene.
    Take wide and close photos of vehicles, plates, the roadway, signals/signs, skid marks/debris, and all visible injuries. Capture airbag deployment, seat positions, and the other driver (and passengers) if appropriate.

  6. Get witnesses now.
    Names, mobile numbers, and a quick voice memo of what they saw. Witnesses vanish fast.

  7. Don’t give a recorded statement roadside.
    You can provide basic facts to your own insurer later. Politely decline any recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you’ve spoken to counsel.

The first 24–72 hours

Medical & documentation

  • Get evaluated even if you “feel okay.” Adrenaline masks injuries. Tell providers about all symptoms (headache, dizziness, neck/back pain, numbness, vision issues, sleep problems, anxiety).

  • Start a symptom journal. Two sentences a day about pain, limits, and missed activities will help your claim later.

  • Collect the report number and the officer/agency name. When available, obtain the full report.

Insurance notifications (smart sequencing)

  • Open a claim with your insurer (brief & factual).

  • Medical Payments (“MedPay”) coverage: Colorado auto policies must offer at least $5,000 per person for crash-related medical care; when present, carriers reserve $5,000 of MedPay for trauma providers. MedPay pays regardless of fault and can help with co-pays/deductibles.

  • Adverse insurer: Provide only the basics (date, location, vehicles). Decline any recorded statement or broad medical authorizations until you have guidance.

Vehicle, towing & rental

  • Photograph damage before the tow.

  • If the car is a total loss, remove personal items and gather your title/loan info.

  • Ask your carrier about rental benefits; the at-fault carrier may also owe loss-of-use/rental (fact-specific).

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Week 1: build the foundation of your claim

Evidence that wins cases

  • Video sweep: Note nearby businesses, intersections, buses, and residences with cameras; request that footage be preserved.

  • Event Data Recorder (EDR): Many vehicles store speed/braking/seatbelt data. Preserve the vehicle so data isn’t lost.

  • Witness follow-up: Text or email witnesses to lock in contact details and a short statement.

Care & coverage

  • Follow your treatment plan. Gaps create doubt.

  • Use MedPay wisely for early bills; coordinate health insurance for the remainder.

  • Diminished value: If your vehicle will be repaired, ask about a diminished value claim (loss of resale value after a major repair).

Don’t post about the crash

  • Assume the other insurer will review your social media. Photos or “I’m fine!” posts get twisted.

Weeks 2–8: treatment & case development

  1. Specialists & diagnostics. If your primary doctor suggests imaging (X-ray/MRI/CT) or specialist referrals (ortho, neuro, PT/chiro, pain), follow through.

  2. Work impact log. Track missed hours, modified duties, and lost opportunities.

  3. Keep receipts. Meds, braces, parking, tolls, mileage to appointments, childcare during treatment—these are real damages.

  4. Property claims. Finalize repair or total-loss valuation, and ask about tax/tags, title fees, and personal property damaged (car seats, glasses, phone).

What not to do

  • Don’t skip care because you’re busy—insurers call that a sign you weren’t hurt.

  • Don’t sign broad medical or employment releases for the other insurer. Provide targeted records tied to the crash, not your entire history.

  • Don’t accept quick cash before you understand your injuries. Early settlements often undervalue care you haven’t had yet.

Understanding fault in Colorado (plain English)

Colorado uses modified comparative negligence. You can recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers often overstate a crash victim’s fault (e.g., “you stopped short,” “you weren’t in the crosswalk”). Objective evidence—video, EDR, scene measurements—frequently tells a different story.

Do I have to report the accident?

Yes. After exchanging info and rendering reasonable aid, drivers must give immediate notice of the crash to the nearest police authority and comply with lawful directions. Failing to stop, share information, or report can lead to criminal and civil consequences.

Key Colorado deadlines (don’t miss these)

  • Motor-vehicle injury claims: generally 3 years from the crash to file a lawsuit.

  • Other personal injury (non-vehicle) claims: often 2 years.

There are exceptions and special notice rules (e.g., claims involving government entities). Talk to a lawyer early so evidence and deadlines are preserved.

Frequently asked questions

Should I go to the ER if I “feel okay”?
If you struck your head, feel dizzy, have neck/back pain, numbness, or visual changes—get evaluated. Many injuries (including concussions and soft-tissue trauma) don’t show up immediately.

Who pays my medical bills now?
Use MedPay (if on your policy) for early bills, then health insurance; the at-fault driver (or your UM/UIM) is ultimately responsible through settlement or judgment.

The other insurer keeps calling—what do I say?
Give only claim basics and politely decline recorded statements. Adjusters are trained to minimize claims. It’s okay to say you’ll have your attorney follow up.

What if it’s a hit-and-run or the other driver has minimal insurance?
You may have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) benefits through your own policy or a household member’s policy. UM/UIM has notice and proof requirements—act quickly.

Can I get my car seat replaced after a crash?
Often yes—many manufacturers and insurers recommend replacement after any moderate or severe crash. Save the purchase receipt.

What if I’m partly at fault?
You may still recover if you’re <50% at fault, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage. Evidence matters.

One-page checklist (save this)

Glovebox/phone notes right now

  • 911 called; location pinned

  • Everyone safe/off roadway

  • Info exchanged (names, addresses, license, registration) Justia Law

  • Photos/videos of vehicles, plates, scene, injuries

  • Witness contacts captured

  • Tow company & yard info

Within 24–72 hours

  • Medical evaluation completed; all symptoms reported

  • Claim opened with your insurer (brief & factual)

  • MedPay activated (if available) FindLaw

  • Police report number saved

  • Start symptom & work-impact journal

Week 1

  • Follow referrals (PT/ortho/neuro/imaging)

  • Preserve video (nearby cameras contacted)

  • Repair/total loss process started; rental arranged

  • Receipts saved (mileage, meds, devices, childcare)

Weeks 2–8

  • Consistent treatment

  • Property claim finalized (incl. diminished value if applicable)

  • Consider attorney consult if injuries persist or liability is disputed

How an attorney helps (and when to call)

  • Evidence & preservation: We send preservation letters for camera footage and vehicle data, and we gather witness statements and 911/CAD records while they’re fresh.

  • Medical coordination: We help you use MedPay correctly, coordinate health insurance, and keep treatment moving.

  • Coverage strategy: Identify all policies—at-fault liability, commercial/rideshare, UM/UIM, umbrella, MedPay—and sequence claims to protect your benefits.

  • Negotiation & litigation: We build a demand supported by evidence and medical proof. If the carrier won’t be reasonable, we file suit and try the case.

  • Net recovery focus: We negotiate medical liens and paybacks so more of the settlement stays with you.

Quick Colorado law highlights (why they matter)

  • Report & aid duties: Exchange info, render reasonable aid, and notify police. Protects safety and preserves your claim. Justia Law+1

  • Comparative negligence: You can recover if you’re under 50% at fault; your award is reduced by your share—so evidence quality is everything.

  • MedPay availability: MedPay can cover immediate crash-related medical bills regardless of fault; carriers reserve $5,000 for trauma care.

  • Filing deadlines: 3 years for most Colorado motor-vehicle injury suits; many other injury suits have a 2-year limit. Don’t cut it close.

Bottom line

After a crash, health first, then evidence, then smart insurance sequencing. If injuries persist, liability is disputed, or the insurer is stalling, get help.

The Lawrence Law Firm represents injured people across Aurora, Denver, and the Front Range (Arapahoe, Adams, Jefferson, and Douglas Counties). We handle the investigation, deal with the insurers, and fight for full compensation—so you can focus on recovery.

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Areas of Practice

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Service Areas

  • Denver County
  • Arapahoe County
  • Adams County
  • Douglas County
  • Jefferson County
  • Elbert County
  • Broomfield County

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Contact Information

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Contact

lain@coloradodefenders.com Ph: 720-369-4929

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