Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyers

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Colorado gives you three years from the date of a car crash to file a lawsuit for injuries arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)). That clock runs whether or not the insurer is still negotiating with you.
Colorado follows modified comparative fault (C.R.S. 13-21-111): you can recover as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault, but your award is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, recovery is barred. Fort Collins insurers use this rule aggressively after College Avenue and I-25 crashes.
Fort Collins car crash lawsuits that exceed the county-court limit are filed in the District Court, Larimer County, in the 8th Judicial District at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521. CGH handles 8th Judicial District cases directly.

Fort Collins sits at the intersection of I-25, US Highway 287 (College Avenue), and Colorado State Highway 14, three corridors with documented crash histories in Larimer County. The city is home to Colorado State University, which adds roughly 34,000 students to local roads, and Old Town Fort Collins generates dense foot and vehicle traffic year-round. When a crash on one of those roads leaves you with medical bills, lost income, and an insurer that will not pay what your case is worth, CGH Injury Lawyers manages the claim and the fight. We serve Fort Collins from our Denver office, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

$3,000,000 Car crash settlement, Montrose County
$2,527,546 Car crash verdict, Jefferson County
$1,654,629 Car crash verdict, Boulder County
$1,500,000 Car crash settlement, Summit County

Verdicts and settlements published on our case results page. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts.

College Avenue (US 287) through Fort Collins

College Avenue runs north-south through the city as the primary commercial and commuter spine. South of Prospect Road it carries more than 40,000 vehicles per day. The intersections at College Avenue and Drake Road and at College Avenue and Horsetooth Road are among the city's highest-crash locations. Heavy retail traffic, student pedestrians near Colorado State University, and continuous turning movements create rear-end, left-turn, and pedestrian-vehicle collisions throughout the day. US 287 continuing north of Ted's Place to the Wyoming state line is a CDOT-documented high-crash corridor with 570 crashes and 15 fatalities over a five-year study period.
Interstate 25 through Larimer County

I-25 is Fort Collins's main north-south freeway connection and sees heavy commercial truck traffic between Denver and Wyoming. High winds, blizzard conditions, and rapid icing generate periodic closures and multi-vehicle chain-reaction crashes. Commercial carriers and their insurers dispute liability aggressively after I-25 crashes. We handle the investigation, reconstruction, and the multiple-policy insurance issues that trucking and multi-vehicle crashes require.
Colorado State Highway 14 and Poudre Canyon

SH 14 runs east-west through Fort Collins and west into Poudre Canyon toward Cameron Pass. The canyon segment is a narrow mountain route with tight curves, seasonal ice, limited shoulder space, and sight-line hazards. Head-on collisions and rollover crashes in Poudre Canyon regularly produce serious and catastrophic injuries because of the terrain and the distance from trauma care at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center.
Mulberry Street, Harmony Road, and East Corridors

Mulberry Street (US 14 Business) and Harmony Road carry heavy cross-town traffic connecting College Avenue to I-25 interchanges. The Harmony Road and College Avenue intersection, the Harmony Road and Lemay Avenue intersection, and the Mulberry Street and College Avenue intersection all generate T-bone and turning-movement crashes. Speed differentials between commuter and residential traffic increase injury severity at these locations.
Old Town and CSU Area Streets

Old Town Fort Collins concentrates vehicle traffic on College Avenue, Mountain Avenue, and Linden Street alongside very high pedestrian and cyclist density. Colorado State University draws roughly 34,000 students into the surrounding blocks, increasing the risk of bicycle crashes, pedestrian knockdowns, and distracted-driver incidents. The street grid in the Old Town core has many uncontrolled and mid-block crossings where driver awareness gaps produce injuries.

Courthouse

District Court, Larimer County, 8th Judicial District

A Fort Collins car accident lawsuit that exceeds the county-court jurisdictional limit is filed in the District Court, Larimer County, in the 8th Judicial District. The court is housed at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521. The jury pool is drawn from Larimer County residents. Local rules, the active defense firms in northern Colorado, and the 8th Judicial District's procedural patterns all differ from the Denver metro. CGH handles 8th Judicial District car accident cases directly and does not send Larimer County matters to outside counsel.

Trauma Care

UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center

UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital is a Level III Trauma Center, verified by the American College of Surgeons and designated by the State of Colorado. Banner Fort Collins Medical Center holds a Level 4 Trauma Center designation from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Emergency and trauma records from both facilities document the scope of injuries sustained in Fort Collins crashes and form the backbone of the damages case. Severe crashes on SH 14 in Poudre Canyon or on I-25 in Larimer County can mean long transport times that compound injury severity.

High-Crash Corridors

I-25, US 287 (College Avenue), and SH 14

Interstate 25 carries heavy commercial truck traffic between Denver and Wyoming and is subject to closure from high winds and winter weather. US Highway 287 runs through Fort Collins as College Avenue with more than 40,000 vehicles per day south of Prospect Road, and extends north toward Wyoming as a CDOT-documented high-crash corridor with 570 crashes and 15 fatalities over a five-year study period. Colorado State Highway 14 runs west through Poudre Canyon, a mountain route with tight curves and seasonal ice. These are the roads behind most Fort Collins car accident claims we handle.

Deadlines and notice requirements

Car accident injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash date (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)). That clock runs whether or not the insurer is still talking to you.
If a government entity played any role, such as CDOT through deficient road design on I-25 or the City of Fort Collins through a failed traffic signal, written notice of the claim must be submitted within 182 days of discovering the injury (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1)). Missing this notice bars the claim entirely.
Wrongful death claims arising from a fatal car crash carry a two-year deadline from the date of death (C.R.S. 13-80-102(1)(d)).
Shorter deadlines can apply to your specific facts. Confirm yours with an attorney before it passes.

What you can recover

Economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and future care costs are never capped under Colorado law.
Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering are capped at $1.5 million for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2028 (C.R.S. 13-21-102.5). The lower, inflation-adjusted cap figure applies to claims accruing before that date.
Compensation for physical impairment or disfigurement is not capped at all under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5). For Fort Collins crash victims with permanent injuries, this uncapped category often produces the highest portion of the recovery.
Colorado is not a no-fault state. You pursue your claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurer, not your own.
If the at-fault driver had no insurance or inadequate limits, Colorado UM/UIM claims are governed by C.R.S. 13-80-107.5 under Pham v. State Farm, 2013 CO 17.

Under Colorado's comparative fault rule (C.R.S. 13-21-111), you can still recover if you were partly at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurers handling Fort Collins College Avenue and I-25 claims routinely inflate the injured driver's fault percentage to reduce payouts. An attorney who knows how this rule applies in Larimer County cases is how you keep your full claim value on the table.

Get to safety and call 911

Move clear of traffic if you can do so safely, especially on I-25 or College Avenue where vehicles travel at speed. A police report creates the official record of the crash scene and is the foundation of your liability case. Larimer County Sheriff and Fort Collins Police Services both respond to crash scenes in the area.
Seek care at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or Banner Fort Collins Medical Center

See a doctor even if you feel fine. Whiplash, traumatic brain injury, and internal injuries can present hours or days after a crash. UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital (Level III Trauma Center) and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center (Level 4 Trauma Center) are the closest trauma-designated facilities for Fort Collins crash victims. A treatment gap weakens your claim regardless of how serious your injury proves to be.
Document the scene thoroughly

Photograph the vehicle positions, road conditions, traffic controls, and your visible injuries. Note the exact location, whether that is the College Avenue and Drake Road intersection, a specific I-25 mile marker, or a named street in the Old Town grid. Get witness names, contact information, and the police report number before you leave.
Watch the government-entity notice deadline

If a government road defect, signal failure, or CDOT design issue contributed to the crash, written notice under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1) must be filed within 182 days of discovering the injury. Government entity claims under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act have different, much shorter procedural requirements than private-party claims. Missing the notice deadline bars the government-entity portion of your claim entirely.
Do not give a recorded statement

The at-fault driver's insurer will call quickly and may sound helpful. Do not agree to a recorded statement, accept a quick settlement offer, or sign any release before speaking with an attorney. A recorded statement made before you know the full scope of your injuries can permanently cap your recovery below what your case is actually worth.
Call CGH before the insurer builds its defense

Insurance companies begin building their defense the moment a crash is reported in Larimer County, pulling the police report, reviewing traffic-camera data, and contacting witnesses. The sooner you have an attorney, the better your evidence position. Call (303) 209-9395 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

Economic damages (never capped)

Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or Banner Fort Collins Medical Center, and ongoing rehabilitation
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity when injuries keep you from work in Fort Collins or Larimer County
Property damage to your vehicle
Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistive equipment costs
Out-of-pocket expenses directly tied to the crash

Non-economic and other damages

Pain and suffering, capped at $1.5 million for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025 (C.R.S. 13-21-102.5), with inflation adjustments beginning in 2028
Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium for a spouse or family member
Compensation for physical impairment or disfigurement, which is not capped at all under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5) and often represents the highest-value portion of a serious injury claim
Punitive damages when a Fort Collins driver acted with fraud, malice, or willful and wanton disregard for others (C.R.S. 13-21-102)

Free case evaluation

We review the crash facts, the insurance coverage, and the injuries at no cost. You get a direct answer about what your Fort Collins claim is worth and what the path forward looks like.
Investigation and evidence preservation

We gather the Fort Collins Police Services or Larimer County Sheriff crash report, witness statements, medical records from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center, and any available traffic-camera or commercial-vehicle data. We bring in accident reconstruction when the College Avenue, I-25, or SH 14 crash facts require it.
Full damages valuation

We calculate economic damages across every documented category and build the non-economic and physical impairment case with medical expert support. No category is left out, including the uncapped physical impairment and disfigurement category that produces the highest-value recoveries in serious Fort Collins injury cases.
Demand and negotiation

We send a documented demand to the at-fault insurer. We negotiate from a position of trial readiness, not from a willingness to take the first offer. Insurers in northern Colorado handle Fort Collins cases differently when they know an attorney is genuinely prepared to file in the 8th Judicial District.
Suit in the District Court, Larimer County

When the insurer refuses a fair offer, we file in the District Court, Larimer County, at the Larimer County Justice Center in Fort Collins. We handle 8th Judicial District cases directly, without referring them out.
Trial before a Larimer County jury

Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. When trial is what your full recovery requires, we are prepared to present your case to a Larimer County jury. We are not a settlement mill.

Trial-Ready

Built to try your Fort Collins case.

Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. When attorneys are genuinely prepared to try a case in the District Court, Larimer County, insurers respond differently to a demand letter from the first day of negotiation.

Honest About Location

Denver office. Larimer County cases.

CGH Injury Lawyers has one office, at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205. We do not have a Fort Collins address. We represent Larimer County car accident clients, file cases at the Larimer County Justice Center when needed, and meet you wherever it is most convenient for your situation.

Full Value

No category left behind.

We build every Fort Collins car accident claim across every available damage category, including the uncapped physical impairment and disfigurement categories that produce the largest recoveries in serious crash cases.

Bilingual

Hablamos espanol.

Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff serve Fort Collins and Larimer County's Spanish-speaking community. Every case gets the same preparation regardless of language.

No Win, No Fee

Contingency only.

You pay nothing out of pocket for legal fees. We advance costs and collect only from a settlement or verdict in your favor. A free consultation costs you nothing.

One Standard

8 attorneys. One preparation standard.

Whether your Fort Collins car crash claim settles in a month or goes to a Larimer County jury, the same trial-ready team and the same standard of case preparation apply. Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023. We do not run a settlement mill.

5-star rated on Google

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How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Fort Collins?

Colorado gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries arising out of the use or operation of a motor vehicle (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)). That three-year clock runs regardless of whether you are still negotiating with the at-fault insurer. If a government entity such as CDOT or the City of Fort Collins contributed to the crash, a written notice of claim must be filed within 182 days of discovering the injury (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1)), which is a far shorter deadline. Confirm your specific deadline with an attorney as early as possible, because once a Colorado filing deadline passes the claim is gone.

Where would my Fort Collins car accident lawsuit be filed?

A Fort Collins car accident lawsuit that exceeds the county-court jurisdictional limit is filed in the District Court, Larimer County, in the 8th Judicial District. The courthouse is the Larimer County Justice Center at 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521. The jury pool is drawn from Larimer County residents, and the defense firms active in northern Colorado differ from those in the Denver metro. CGH Injury Lawyers handles 8th Judicial District car accident cases directly without referring them to outside counsel.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for the Fort Collins crash?

Often, yes. Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule under C.R.S. 13-21-111. You can recover damages as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault, but your award is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurers handling Fort Collins College Avenue and I-25 crashes routinely work to inflate the injured driver's fault percentage to reduce or eliminate the payout. Having an attorney who can push back on that assessment is how you keep the full value of your claim.

What does Colorado cap for pain and suffering in a car accident case?

For claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado caps non-economic damages such as pain and suffering at $1.5 million under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2028. Lower, inflation-adjusted cap figures apply to claims that accrued before that date. Economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages are never capped. Compensation for physical impairment or disfigurement is also not capped at all under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5). That uncapped category often represents the highest-value portion of a serious Fort Collins car crash case.

What if the driver who hit me in Fort Collins had no insurance?

If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you may file a claim with your own insurer. Colorado UM/UIM claims are governed by C.R.S. 13-80-107.5 under Pham v. State Farm, 2013 CO 17. An attorney can evaluate whether the at-fault driver has other assets worth pursuing and whether any other insurance policies, such as a rideshare policy or a commercial umbrella, may apply to your Fort Collins crash.

Does CGH Injury Lawyers have a Fort Collins office?

No. CGH Injury Lawyers has one office, at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205. We serve Fort Collins and Larimer County clients from that office, file cases in the District Court, Larimer County, and meet you wherever is most convenient. You can call us at (303) 209-9395 or start a free case review online. We come to Fort Collins clients, not the other way around.

What if CDOT or the City of Fort Collins was partly responsible for the crash?

Claims against a government entity in Colorado are governed by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. A written notice of claim must be filed within 182 days of the date you discovered the injury (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1)). Missing that notice bars the government-entity portion of the claim entirely. CGIA damage caps for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2026 are $505,000 per person and $1,421,000 per occurrence (C.R.S. 24-10-114). If a road design defect on I-25, a failed signal on College Avenue, or a maintenance failure on an on-ramp contributed to your crash, we evaluate the government-entity angle immediately because of that short notice deadline.

How long does a Fort Collins car accident settlement take?

Straightforward claims with clear liability and fully documented injuries may settle within a few months. Cases with disputed fault, serious injuries, or multiple at-fault parties, which are common in I-25 and College Avenue crash cases, can take one to three years or longer. Settling before you reach maximum medical improvement often leaves significant money on the table. We tell you honestly where your Fort Collins case stands at every stage, and we do not push for early settlement when waiting is in your interest.

Fort Collins

Practice Areas

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Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyers Who Make the Insurer Pay Your Full Claim

Car crash verdicts and settlements we have recovered

Where Fort Collins car crashes happen and why they are serious

College Avenue (US 287) through Fort Collins

Interstate 25 through Larimer County

Colorado State Highway 14 and Poudre Canyon

Mulberry Street, Harmony Road, and East Corridors

Old Town and CSU Area Streets

The Fort Collins courthouse, trauma care, and roads behind your car accident claim

District Court, Larimer County, 8th Judicial District

UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center

I-25, US 287 (College Avenue), and SH 14

The Colorado statutes that decide what your Fort Collins car accident claim is worth

Deadlines and notice requirements

What you can recover

What to do after a car accident in Fort Collins

Get to safety and call 911

Seek care at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or Banner Fort Collins Medical Center

Document the scene thoroughly

Watch the government-entity notice deadline

Do not give a recorded statement

Call CGH before the insurer builds its defense

What you can recover after a Fort Collins car accident

Economic damages (never capped)

Non-economic and other damages

How a Fort Collins car accident claim moves from crash to recovery

Free case evaluation

Investigation and evidence preservation

Full damages valuation

Demand and negotiation

Suit in the District Court, Larimer County

Trial before a Larimer County jury

Why Fort Collins car accident victims choose CGH Injury Lawyers

Built to try your Fort Collins case.

Denver office. Larimer County cases.

No category left behind.

Hablamos espanol.

Contingency only.

8 attorneys. One preparation standard.

Fort Collins car accident, frequently asked questions

Fort Collins injury pages and related practice areas

You were hurt in a Fort Collins car crash. We handle everything else.