Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Colorado

Car accidents are not uncommon throughout Colorado. An unfortunate reality is that thousands of individuals sustain injuries and property damage each year throughout the state as a result of a vehicle collision. When a crash occurs, individuals typically have a limited amount of time to file insurance claims or personal injury and property damage lawsuits to recover compensation for their losses. Here, we want to discuss the Colorado statute of limitations for car accidents so that you have an understanding of how quickly you need to file these claims.

What Does the Law Say About Car Accident Lawsuit Time Limits?

When we look directly at the law pertaining to the Colorado car statute of limitations (Colorado Revised Statutes section 13-80-101(1)(n), we can see that these claims must be filed within three years from the date an injury occurs.

This means that a Colorado car accident victim has a three-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent driver in the case. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they are entitled to.

Due to the personal injury statute of limitations in Colorado, we strongly recommend that all vehicle accident victims get started on their claims as soon as possible. If you have any particular questions about whether or not you can still file your claim, please speak to a skilled attorney as soon as possible.

Please note that the state of Colorado car accident statute of limitations and personal injury statute of limitations are different. For other personal injury claims in Colorado, the statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs.

Do Insurance Carriers Follow This Same Statute of Limitations?

Many people confuse the statute of limitations with the deadlines put in place by insurance carriers for these claims. The vast majority of Colorado car accident cases will be resolved through settlements with insurance carriers. However, it is crucial to understand that insurance carriers have their own strict reporting deadlines for these claims.

Most automobile insurance carriers in Colorado require that an accident be reported within a day or two after the collision occurs. If you are involved in an accident, we recommend that you report the incident to the insurance carrier as soon as possible. Your initial report to an insurance carrier does not have to be in-depth. However, they do need to know about the accident so they can begin the claims process. Failing to promptly notify an insurance carrier about an accident could result in the carrier delaying or denying the claim altogether.

Working With an Attorney After a Colorado Car Accident

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a vehicle accident in Colorado, you need to work with a skilled Denver personal injury attorney as soon as possible. It is crucial for you to file your claim on time to ensure that you recover the compensation you are entitled to. This can include coverage of your medical bills, general household out-of-pocket expenses, property damage expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and more. These cases can become complicated, but an attorney will be able to help ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the entire process.