What You Must Do After a Car Accident in Colorado
A car accident can happen in seconds, but what you do next matters for your safety, health, and legal rights. Whether the crash caused injuries, property damage, or involved multiple vehicles, clear steps can protect you and help your case.
In this blog, we break down the critical steps to take after a car accident in Colorado and explain how working with an experienced Denver car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Step 1: Move to Safety and Call 911
This is the first and most important step after a car accident. Your actions in the first few minutes can prevent further injury and help protect your legal rights.
Move Your Vehicle Out of Traffic
If the vehicle is drivable and there are no serious injuries, move it to the side of the road. This prevents other vehicle collisions and reduces the risk of traffic-related deaths. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If you cannot move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone is injured, do not move them unless there is an immediate threat such as fire or traffic. Call 911 and report any serious injuries so that emergency services arrive prepared.
Call 911 and Request a Police Officer
In Colorado, you must report any motor vehicle crash that results in injury, death, or property damage (C.R.S. § 42-4-1606). Tell the dispatcher your location, the number of vehicles involved, and whether anyone is hurt. Request both medical help and a police officer to file an accident report. This report will be important if you file an insurance claim or if the at fault driver denies responsibility.
Stay Calm and Wait for Help
Stay calm and wait for the police and emergency responders. Keep your phone on and nearby in case they need to contact you. If the crash happened on city streets in Denver, the Denver Police will likely respond. Their report will help document the crash and support your claim with the insurance company or in court.
Step 2: Exchange Information and Document the Scene
Once everyone is safe and emergency services are on the way, gather key details and evidence from the car accident scene.
Exchange Required Information
Colorado law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1603) requires drivers involved in a car crash to exchange specific details. Share your driver’s license, insurance information, vehicle registration, and contact details with the other driver. Ask for the same from them. If there are multiple vehicles or passengers, collect information from all parties involved.
Speak Clearly and Stay Polite
Do not admit fault or argue with the other driver. Avoid discussing who caused the accident. Simply exchange the required information. Statements made at the scene can be used later by an insurance company or during legal action.
Identify Witnesses
If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. A neutral witness can help confirm what happened, especially if the other party disputes the facts. Witnesses can be other drivers, pedestrians, or nearby business owners.
Take Photos and Record Key Details
Use your phone to take clear photos of the vehicles, license plates, visible injuries, property damage, and any skid marks or debris. Include wide shots that show the position of the vehicles and traffic signs. Note the time, date, weather conditions, and location on city streets or highways. Also write down if you saw signs of distracted driving, speeding, or other traffic violations.
Protect the Evidence
Do not rely only on your memory. Save all photos and notes in a safe place. If the car crash involves serious injuries or property damage, this documentation will support your insurance claim and help your car accident lawyer prove liability later.
Step 3: Get Medical Attention and File an Insurance Claim
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, getting checked by a medical professional and notifying your insurance company are critical next steps.
Get Checked by a Medical Professional
Injuries like whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away. A doctor can diagnose and document your condition. This medical record links your injuries to the car crash and supports your insurance claim. Delaying care may lead the insurance company or at fault driver to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Follow All Treatment Instructions
Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments. Save copies of medical bills, prescriptions, and written reports. These records help prove the seriousness of your injuries and the costs you have paid because of the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly
Most policies require that you report a motor vehicle crash quickly. Call your insurance company to start the claim process. Give them basic facts about the accident, including time, location, and number of vehicles involved. Avoid guessing or admitting fault. Stick to clear facts only.
Be Cautious When Speaking to Adjusters
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. If they request a recorded statement, it is best to decline until you speak with a car accident lawyer. Never sign anything or agree to a settlement without legal advice, especially if you suffered serious injuries or expect long-term care.
Keep Copies of All Communications
Save emails, letters, and call logs with your insurance provider. This helps track your claim status and can be used by your car accident attorney to fight delays or denied claims. Clear documentation gives you more control over the process.
Step 4: Contact a Colorado Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident, legal guidance can help you protect your rights, deal with the insurance company, and pursue full compensation.
Know When to Call a Lawyer
If the crash caused serious injuries, involved multiple parties, or led to a traffic death, speak with a lawyer right away. Cases involving commercial trucks, distracted driving, or possible criminal charges often require legal action to determine who is at fault. If the insurance company denies your claim or offers a low settlement, legal help becomes even more important.
What a Car Accident Lawyer Does
At Colorado Car Accident Lawyers, we focus on helping injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians across Denver and the state. We handle communication with the insurance company, collect evidence, and build a strong claim. Our team helps recover costs for medical treatment, lost wages, vehicle damage, and long-term care needs. We also take your case to court if needed.
Do Not Wait to Get Legal Help
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to collect key evidence from the scene, witnesses, and your medical records. Colorado has a time limit for filing personal injury claims after a motor vehicle crash. Missing deadlines can mean losing your chance to recover compensation. We offer free consultations, so there is no cost to speak with a car accident attorney and find out where you stand.
We Work for You
We do not get paid unless we recover money for you. Our team is committed to holding the at-fault driver accountable and making sure the insurance company pays what you are owed. If you were injured in a car crash, contact us to speak with an experienced Denver car accident lawyer today.
Involved In a Car Accident? Contact Colorado Car Accident Lawyers ASAP!
If you have been injured in a car accident in Colorado, contact our team at Colorado Car Accident Lawyers today. Our experienced Denver car accident lawyers will review your case for free, handle all communication with the insurance company, gather evidence, and fight for full compensation. We do not charge any legal fees unless we win your case.
Contact us at 864-313-2487 for a free case review today!
