Colorado Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement Calculator
Under Colorado’s 50% comparative fault bar, motor vehicle accident cases often hinge on the fault percentage assigned to each driver. If a jury or adjuster places you at 50% fault or higher, you lose your right to compensation entirely. This makes gathering strong evidence of the other driver’s primary fault critical from the outset.
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How Colorado Law Affects Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case
Colorado gives you 3 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit, which is in line with the national average of 2.8 years. This is a standard timeframe, but acting sooner preserves evidence and strengthens your position. Colorado applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock may start when you discover (or should have discovered) the injury rather than when the incident occurred.
Colorado requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25K per person / $50K per accident in bodily injury coverage and $15K in property damage coverage (commonly written as 25/50/15). These minimums are below the national average, meaning many drivers in Colorado may carry only enough insurance to cover a fraction of the costs from a serious accident. Colorado does not require uninsured motorist coverage, leaving you potentially unprotected if the at-fault driver has no insurance. Purchasing UM/UIM coverage is strongly recommended.
Colorado imposes a 182-day notice requirement for tort claims against government entities. If a government-owned vehicle caused your accident or a poorly maintained government road contributed to it, you must file a formal notice of claim well before the standard statute of limitations expires. Failure to provide timely notice is one of the most common reasons government tort claims are dismissed.
Steps After a Car Accident in Colorado
After a car accident in Colorado, your immediate steps should include: documenting the scene with photos and video, exchanging insurance information with all parties, filing a police report, and seeking medical attention within 24–72 hours even if you feel fine — some injuries take days to manifest. You have 3 years to file a lawsuit, but evidence preservation and witness availability degrade over time.
Key Colorado Laws
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Colorado Motor Vehicle Accident FAQs
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Legal Disclaimer
This calculator uses Colorado's statutes as of 2026-03-06. Laws change frequently. This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current rules with a Colorado-licensed attorney before making decisions about your case. Learn about our methodology.
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