A Boulder Personal Injury Law Firm for People, Not Cars

Someone got hurt in Boulder. Maybe a distracted driver went through the crosswalk on Folsom while they were riding a bike. Maybe they were walking near the Pearl Street Mall and a car turning onto Spruce didn't see them. Or maybe they fell on an icy walkway on campus. Whatever the circumstances, Colorado law provides a path forward, and it starts with a few rules worth knowing.

Deadlines depend on the type of case. Injury claims arising from a motor vehicle crash, including a cyclist or pedestrian struck by a car, generally must be filed within three years (C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n)). Most other personal injury claims, such as a fall, generally have two years (C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a)). Colorado's modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) allows recovery even if the injured person shares some fault, as long as their share is less than 50%; the award is reduced by that percentage. Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, are capped at $1,500,000 for general personal injury claims that accrue on or after January 1, 2025, and actions filed during 2025, while economic damages are not.

A crash between a vehicle and an unprotected person is not a fender-bender. The physics are different, the injuries are different, and the case needs a lawyer who understands that.

Your Case Requires a Lawyer Who Understands Boulder

Boulder injury cases often involve cyclists, pedestrians, trail users, and university or city property. A police report and an insurance policy are only the starting point.

These cases call for familiarity with Colorado's bicycle and pedestrian traffic laws, how local ordinances fit with state law, and the extra rules that apply when a public entity is involved. They also call for evidence presented clearly and carefully, with the medical and technical proof to support it.

Bike and Pedestrian Accidents in Boulder

A bike or pedestrian collision is sometimes described as minor because the vehicle shows little damage. But there was no fender between the car and the person it hit. These are often serious injuries.

Without airbags or a steel frame, bicycle and pedestrian crashes frequently cause broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, with significant medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering to account for.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not a bump on the head. It can require years of care and change how a person thinks, works, and lives. A strong case documents future care and lost earning capacity, not just the bills to date.

Fault is often disputed in these cases. Common arguments include:

• “You weren’t in a designated bike lane.”
• “You crossed mid-block.”
• “You assumed the risk.”

Those arguments are answered with facts. Accident reconstruction, Colorado's bicycle and pedestrian laws, and witness and video evidence help show what the driver did and didn't do. A cyclist or pedestrian struck by a vehicle generally has three years to file suit (C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n)), while an injury caused by a road or sidewalk defect runs on the shorter two-year period and may require early notice to a public entity.

Claims Against CU and the City of Boulder

Injuries on government property, whether on the University of Colorado campus, in Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), or at other municipal facilities, follow different rules than claims against private defendants.

Claims against a public entity like CU or the City of Boulder fall under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA), which provides immunity for many claims and allows suit only in specific categories.

The most important rule is the deadline. Under the CGIA, a written notice of claim must be filed within 182 days (C.R.S. § 24-10-109). That is far shorter than the ordinary two- or three-year statute of limitations, and missing it can end the claim regardless of its merits.

When a government defendant may be involved, that 182-day notice comes first, before any other step in the case.

Our Strategy: Local Knowledge and a No-Fee Guarantee

Local knowledge matters. That means understanding Boulder County District Court procedures and how to read and follow up on a Boulder Police Department accident report, and knowing the local agencies that respond to crashes.

That help shouldn’t come with a financial barrier. That’s why we work on a contingency fee.

Clients pay nothing unless and until we win the case. Our fee is a percentage of the money recovered, so there is no upfront cost.

One practical point: be careful with recorded statements. An adjuster for the other side may ask to record your account early, while you are still in pain and sorting out what happened. Anything said can be quoted later. You can decline and ask that communication go through your attorney.

The timeline below shows how personal injury cases usually proceed in Colorado. When a government defendant is involved, the 182-day notice deadline comes first.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and you should consult with an attorney to understand your specific rights and options.

The call is free, the advice is free, and there is no fee unless we win.

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