What To Do After a Car Accident in Denver: A Step-by-Step Guide
A car accident can happen in seconds — but what you do in the hours and days afterward can make or break your injury claim. Denver drivers deal with some of the most congested corridors in Colorado: I-25, I-70, C-470, and Colfax Avenue see thousands of accidents every year. If you’ve been hurt, here’s exactly what you need to do to protect your health and your legal rights.
Step 1: Stay at the Scene and Call 911
Never leave the scene of an accident, even if it seems minor. Call 911 immediately and request both police and medical assistance. A police report is critical — it creates an official record of how the crash happened, who was involved, and what witnesses said. Insurance companies and courts rely heavily on these reports when evaluating claims.
If you are injured and cannot move safely, stay in your vehicle and wait for emergency responders to arrive.
Step 2: Seek Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine
This is the most important step most accident victims skip. Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and traumatic brain injuries often don’t produce symptoms until 24 to 72 hours after impact. If you wait to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.
Get evaluated at an emergency room or urgent care facility the same day. Follow up with your primary care physician or a specialist. Every appointment you attend creates a medical record that supports your claim.
Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene
If you are physically able, use your phone to document the scene before anything is moved:
- Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, including damage, license plates, and positions on the road
- Photograph skid marks, debris, traffic signals, and road conditions
- Get the names, phone numbers, and insurance information of all drivers involved
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
- Write down the responding officer’s name and badge number
- Note the exact location, time, and weather conditions
This evidence can disappear quickly. Skid marks fade. Witnesses scatter. The more you capture at the scene, the stronger your case.
Step 4: Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
Within hours of an accident, an insurance adjuster may call you requesting a recorded statement. You are not required to give one — and you should not, without speaking to an attorney first.
Adjusters are trained to ask questions that minimize the value of your claim. Statements like “I’m doing okay” or “I didn’t see them coming” can be used against you. In Colorado, you have no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
Your own insurance policy may require you to cooperate with your own carrier, but even then — speak with an attorney first.
Step 5: Report the Accident to Your Own Insurance
Colorado is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is responsible for damages. However, you should still notify your own insurance company promptly. Depending on your policy, you may have access to:
- Medical payments coverage (Med Pay) to cover immediate treatment costs
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) if the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance
- Collision coverage while liability is being disputed
Colorado law requires insurance companies to offer UIM coverage. If you don’t know what coverages you have, an attorney can review your policy and identify every available source of compensation.
Step 6: Preserve All Evidence and Keep Records
From the moment of the accident forward, start building a file:
- Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and receipts
- Document every day you missed work and your rate of pay
- Keep a daily pain journal noting your symptoms and how they affect your daily life
- Photograph your injuries as they develop — bruising often worsens in the days following the crash
- Save all correspondence with insurance companies
This record becomes the backbone of your demand for compensation.
Step 7: Contact a Denver Personal Injury Attorney
Colorado’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident under C.R.S. § 13-80-101. While that may sound like plenty of time, the most critical evidence — surveillance footage, witness memories, vehicle data recorder information — disappears quickly. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the better positioned your case will be.
An experienced personal injury attorney will investigate the accident, identify all liable parties, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to maximize your recovery — so you can focus on getting better.
Colorado Accident Victims Have Rights
Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters, investigators, and attorneys whose job is to pay you as little as possible. You deserve an advocate in your corner who knows how to fight back.
At Mandelaris Law, we have spent over 16 years representing injured Coloradans in car accident, truck accident, and personal injury claims. We handle every aspect of your case on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Denver or anywhere in Colorado, call us today for a free consultation: (303) 357-9757.
You can also reach us at www.mandelarislaw.com. We’re ready to help.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact Mandelaris Law for a free consultation specific to your situation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.