Denver Car Accident Lawyer: Denver Crash Corridors

Where Denver crash corridors are, and why the exact spot matters

Two kinds of road account for many serious Denver crashes. The first is the interstate system. The Colorado Department of Transportation describes the I-25/I-70 interchange (the Mousetrap) and the I-25/I-76 interchange as "two of the state's busiest interstate interchanges." The second is the city's High Injury Network, which Denver's Vision Zero program describes as the streets "that have disproportionately high rates of traffic crashes" resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Many of those are multilane arterial roads with heavy traffic and people walking or biking alongside it.

On a corridor like this, "I-25 near downtown" is not a location. A mile marker, exit number, direction of travel, lane, or nearest cross street is. That detail tells an investigator which cameras may have recorded the crash, which businesses to ask for footage, and which agency took the report. Private video in particular may be recorded over within days or weeks unless someone asks for it to be kept.

Which police agency took your report

The video gives a rule of thumb: State Patrol for interstates, Denver Police for city streets. In practice, the responding agency depends on exactly where the crash happened and who was dispatched, and crashes near city and county lines can be handled by a neighboring police department or sheriff. Do not assume. Look at the officer's uniform or the information card you were handed, and write down the agency name, the officer's name and badge number, and the case or report number.

Colorado law requires a driver in an injury crash to stop, exchange information, and give reasonable help to anyone hurt (C.R.S. § 42-4-1603). When an officer investigates a crash, C.R.S. § 42-4-1606 requires the officer to send a written report to the state "within five days" of completing the investigation. Reports are usually not available the same day, so the report number is what lets you request the right one later.

Who is Conduit Law?

Conduit Law, LLC is a Denver personal injury law firm founded by attorney Elliot Singer. The office is at 1576 N Sherman St Ste 120, Denver, CO 80203, and the phone number is (720) 432-7032. The firm helps people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes understand the evidence, the insurance, and the deadlines in their claim.

Does State Patrol or Denver Police handle a crash on I-25 in Denver?

It depends on where the crash happened and who responded. Do not rely on a rule of thumb. Confirm the agency name, the officer's badge number, and the report number at the scene or from the information card the officer gives you, then request the report from that agency.

How do I get traffic camera or business video of my crash?

Write down every camera you can see, including traffic cameras, gas stations, stores, and apartment buildings, and ask quickly. Many private systems record over old video within days or weeks. A lawyer can send preservation requests to the owners, and the request is stronger when you can point to the exact location and time of the crash.

How long do I have to file a car accident injury claim in Colorado?

Under C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n), tort actions for bodily injury arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle generally must be filed within three years. Insurance notice deadlines and claims against government entities can be much shorter, so do not wait for the report or the end of treatment to get advice.

When should I talk to a Denver car accident lawyer?

Before you give a recorded statement, sign a medical release, or accept a settlement offer, and as soon as possible if video evidence may exist. Conduit Law can review the crash location, the report, and the insurance available. The consultation is free, and there are no fees unless we win. Call (720) 432-7032.