What to Do After a Car Accident in CO

Car accidents can be overwhelming and traumatic experiences. In the moments immediately following an accident, it's crucial to stay calm and take the right steps to protect yourself, your passengers, and your legal rights. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do after a car accident in Colorado. Colorado law (C.R.S. § 42-7-103) requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily-injury liability coverage, and $15,000 for property damage. The first few minutes after a collision can significantly impact insurance claims, potential legal proceedings, and overall recovery outcomes. Knowing the appropriate steps to take—from ensuring safety to gathering evidence—helps protect both physical well-being and financial interests during an incredibly stressful situation.

If the collision happened in Denver, our Denver car accident lawyers can turn these checklist steps into a claim plan built around fault, coverage, treatment, and deadlines.

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Move to a Safe Location

If your vehicle is still drivable and you're not seriously injured, move to the side of the road or a safe location away from traffic as quickly as possible. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers and reduce the risk of additional collisions. If your car is not drivable, remain inside with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives, keeping doors locked if necessary. Avoid standing in the roadway or between vehicles, where passing drivers may not see you. Once safe, document the scene if possible and exchange information with other parties involved, including insurance details.

Step 2: Check for Injuries and Call for Help

Check yourself and your passengers for injuries immediately following a collision. Even if feeling fine initially, some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to adrenaline and shock masking pain. Delayed symptoms like whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions can emerge hours or days after impact. Call 911 if anyone experiences difficulty breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, or suspected spinal injuries. Document all visible injuries and photograph them for insurance purposes. Medical evaluation is recommended even for seemingly minor accidents, as trauma affects individuals differently.

• Anyone is injured (even minor injuries)
• There is significant property damage
• The accident blocks traffic
• You suspect the other driver is under the influence
• There are any disputes about fault

Step 3: Document Everything

Documentation is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal action. Take photos and videos of:

Vehicle Damage

• All angles of both vehicles
• Close-up shots of damage
• License plates
• VIN numbers if visible

Scene Documentation

• Traffic signs and signals
• Road conditions
• Weather conditions
• Skid marks or debris

Prefer the standalone watch page? Watch Crash Scene Documentation Video

Step 4: Exchange Information

Exchange the following information with all parties involved:

• Names and contact information of all drivers and passengers
• Insurance information including company name, policy number, and contact details
• Vehicle information including make, model, year, and license plate numbers
• Driver's license numbers of all drivers involved

Step 5: Gather Witness Information

If there are witnesses to the accident, get their:

• Names and phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Statements about what they saw (if they're willing to provide them)

Step 6: File a Police Report

Colorado law requires reporting a crash that involves injury, death, or property damage. Police generally do not need to file a report when no one is hurt and one person's property damage is reasonably $1,000 or less, unless a report is requested or a driver cannot show proof of insurance (C.R.S. § 42-4-1606).

Even if police officers don't respond to the accident scene, a report is still worth making. This documentation creates an official record crucial for insurance claims and potential legal proceedings. Most Colorado jurisdictions allow reports to be filed at the local police station or online, offering flexibility for accident victims. A report also helps establish what occurred if an uninsured or underinsured driver caused the collision. A timely police report protects accident victims by creating an independent account of the incident, strengthening any future claims or legal actions.

Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of the accident. Your policy's notice deadline is much shorter than your deadline to sue; see how long you have to report an accident for the difference. Provide them with:

• Basic facts about the accident
• Information about other parties involved
• Photos and documentation you've gathered
• Police report number (if available)

What NOT to Do After an Accident

When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

You should consider contacting a personal injury attorney if:

• You or anyone else was injured in the accident
• The other driver is disputing fault
• An insurance offer does not seem to cover your losses
• The accident involved multiple vehicles
• There are complex legal issues involved
• You're unsure about your rights or the claims process