Car Accidents
Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyers
Over 150 Years of Combined Experience. Only on Your Side.
A car or auto accident changes things fast. Medical bills arrive before you understand the full extent of your injuries, insurance adjusters call before you’ve had time to think, and financial pressure builds while you’re still trying to recover. The decisions made in those first days and weeks often shape the entire claim.
At Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C., we represent individuals and families throughout El Paso County and Southern Colorado in car and auto accident claims. We help clients understand what their claim is actually worth, including long-term treatment costs, lost earning capacity, and impacts that may not be obvious until months after the crash. Insurance companies are experienced at resolving claims quickly and at the lowest possible cost. We’re here to help protect your interests in that process.
Were you injured in a crash and unsure what to do next? Call Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C. today at (719) 625-3310 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our Colorado Springs auto accident attorneys.
Types of Car & Auto Accident Cases We Handle
Different types of crashes create different legal challenges. A rear-end collision on Academy Boulevard raises different liability questions than a rideshare accident or a crash involving an uninsured driver. We handle the full range of car and vehicle accident claims.
We regularly handle cases involving:
- Fatal car accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone (side-impact) accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Highway and interstate crashes
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft
- Delivery truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers
- Government vehicle accidents
- Hit-and-run incidents
We also work with clients whose injuries have lasting consequences: limited mobility, cognitive changes, or an inability to return to the same work they did before the crash. A vehicle accident attorney who understands the long-term picture can pursue compensation that reflects it.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Colorado Springs
Most crashes have an identifiable cause, and identifying it is one of the most important steps in building a claim. Fault doesn’t establish itself. It requires evidence, and gathering that evidence starts as soon as possible after the accident.
Common causes we see in El Paso County cases include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, adjusting navigation, and eating behind the wheel are among the leading causes of preventable crashes.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase crash severity, particularly on I-25, Powers Boulevard, and Academy Boulevard.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair coordination and judgment, often contributing to the most serious accidents.
- Failure to Yield and Red-Light Violations: Intersection collisions throughout Colorado Springs frequently trace back to these violations.
- Fatigued Driving: A drowsy driver can miss critical changes in traffic conditions just as readily as a distracted one.
- Unsafe Lane Changes and Tailgating: Aggressive driving behaviors that create avoidable hazards on congested roads.
- Winter Weather Conditions: Snow and ice are common in Colorado Springs, and crashes increase when drivers fail to adjust their speed accordingly.
A thorough investigation draws on police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction evidence to establish what happened and who is responsible.
If you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, or insurance pressure after an auto accident, contact our Colorado Springs vehicle accident attorneys today at (719) 625-3310 to discuss your case.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Colorado?
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-101, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims arising from a motor vehicle accident carry a two-year deadline from the date of death. When a government entity is involved, shorter notice requirements may apply and can cut off the right to pursue a claim much sooner.
Three years can feel like sufficient time, but waiting creates real problems. Witnesses become harder to locate, traffic camera footage is routinely overwritten within days or weeks, and the overall strength of available evidence declines. Starting early gives our attorneys time to investigate thoroughly and negotiate from a position of strength rather than racing toward a deadline.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Colorado?
The value of a car or auto accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how those injuries affect your life going forward, and the quality of available evidence. Colorado law allows injured victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are measurable financial losses, including:
- Medical bills covering emergency care, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Future medical treatment and ongoing care costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages address the personal impact of an injury, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, additional damages may be available. Our auto accident attorneys evaluate both the immediate and long-term impact of the crash to seek compensation that reflects the full value of your claim.
How Fault Works in a Colorado Car Accident Case
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-111. Fault is allocated among all parties who contributed to the crash. An injured claimant can recover damages as long as they are found to be less than 50% at fault, with compensation reduced proportionally by their percentage of responsibility. At 50% or more at fault, they recover nothing.
Insurance companies understand this system well and routinely attempt to shift more fault onto the claimant to reduce what they owe. A well-documented case is the most effective counter to that tactic.
Evidence used to establish fault typically includes:
- Police reports
- Photos and video from the scene
- Witness accounts
- Vehicle damage patterns
- Medical records and treatment timelines
Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Auto Accident
Colorado is an at-fault state, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier is first in line to pay for damages. That also means the at-fault driver’s insurer has a financial interest in minimizing what your claim is worth. Adjusters often contact crash victims quickly, sometimes within hours, and they may appear cooperative and sympathetic.
Their role is to resolve claims at the lowest possible cost. Common tactics include offering early settlements before the full extent of injuries is known, questioning whether your injuries are related to the crash, minimizing the severity of your condition, and using recorded statements against you later. Once a settlement is accepted, your claim is closed permanently, including any future medical costs arising from the same injuries.
Understanding the available policy limits and any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage under your own policy matters before any negotiation begins. Our vehicle accident attorneys can review the full coverage picture before you respond.
Car & Auto Accident Patterns in Colorado Springs
El Paso County consistently ranks among the highest in Colorado for vehicle crashes, placing second only to Jefferson County for accidents investigated by the Colorado State Patrol, with more than 2,000 annually. That context matters when building and evaluating a local claim.
I-25, Powers Boulevard, and Academy Boulevard are the busiest and highest-crash corridors in the city. Speeds and congestion on these roads tend to increase injury severity when crashes occur. Intersection collisions, particularly those involving failure to yield and red-light violations, are consistently among the most frequent crash types throughout the area.
Winter weather adds another layer of risk. Sudden snowstorms and icy surfaces are common, and crashes spike when drivers don’t adjust their speed. Colorado Springs continues to grow, bringing more vehicles onto roads already prone to congestion, alongside active construction zones and drivers unfamiliar with local conditions. These factors are directly relevant to how fault is evaluated and how a case is built. We serve El Paso County and all of Southern Colorado, and our attorneys know these roads and the crash patterns they produce.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Auto Accident Attorneys Today
Recovering from a car accident means dealing with physical, financial, and practical disruptions all at once. The decisions made early in the process, including which calls to take, what statements to give, and when to consult an attorney, can shape the entire outcome of a claim.
We take a hands-on, case-specific approach. We look at the full picture: not just current medical bills, but how the accident may affect your work, your mobility, and your life months or years from now. A free consultation can clarify your options without any obligation to move forward.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys at (719) 625-3310 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Colorado
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Car Accident?
Most personal injury claims arising from car accidents carry a three-year deadline under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-101, while wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline from the date of death. Acting sooner preserves evidence, makes witnesses easier to locate, and gives our attorneys more time to build a complete case.
What If the Other Driver Was Uninsured?
You may still have a path to recovery through your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 10-4-609. This coverage is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient limits to cover your losses. We can review your policy and identify available sources of recovery.
Should I Give a Statement to the Insurance Company?
You can and typically should report the accident to your own insurer. However, giving a detailed or recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company before consulting an attorney carries real risk. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to minimize or dispute your claim later.
How Do I Know If I Have a Strong Case?
A strong case generally involves clear evidence that another party was at fault, documented injuries, and a provable connection between the accident and your losses. The best way to assess your situation is to speak with one of our attorneys, who can review the specific facts of your case.
What If I Didn’t Feel Injured Right Away?
Delayed symptoms are common after car accidents. Whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, and early signs of traumatic brain injury often don’t appear immediately. Getting a medical evaluation promptly, even when you feel fine, creates documentation that connects any later symptoms to the crash.
How Long Will My Case Take to Resolve?
The timeline varies by case. Claims involving clear liability and defined injuries may resolve through negotiation in months. Cases with disputed fault, severe injuries, or litigation can take considerably longer. We can give you a more specific assessment once the facts are known.
Why Colorado Springs Accident Victims Choose Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C.
Not every auto accident law firm operates the same way. Many handle high volumes of cases, which can mean less direct attorney access, less time spent on individual claims, and less preparation for the possibility of going to trial. Our firm is built differently, and the distinction matters for the people we represent.
Our attorneys have over 150 years of combined legal experience, focused entirely on representing individuals and families. We don’t represent corporations, and we don’t represent insurance companies. Every client we take on is on the injured side of a claim, which means our interests are aligned with theirs.
What sets our vehicle accident attorneys apart:
- Trial Lawyers College Graduates: Our attorneys have completed training at the Trial Lawyers College, an intensive program focused on courtroom advocacy and case strategy that relatively few attorneys pursue.
- ABOTA Membership: Membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates is extended only to attorneys who have demonstrated significant trial experience and professional standing.
- AV Preeminent 5.0 Rated: Our firm holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent 5.0 Peer Review Rating, the highest rating available, reflecting the assessment of peers in the legal community.
- Super Lawyers Recognition: Our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers, a rating service that selects attorneys based on peer nomination and independent research.
- Tier 1 Best Law Firms Ranking: Gaddis, Herd, Craw & Adams, P.C. was ranked a Tier 1 firm in the 2017 Best Lawyers-US News Best Law Firms publication in Colorado Springs.
- Direct Attorney Access: Clients work directly with attorneys and paralegals throughout their case. You know who is handling your matter and can reach them when you have questions.
- Courtroom-Ready Representation: We negotiate firmly, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That preparation can change how insurance companies respond.
If you were injured in a car or auto accident in Colorado Springs or anywhere in Southern Colorado, we’re ready to talk. Call us at (719) 625-3310 or reach out online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Providing Unparalleled Customer Service
Our past clients say it best! Hear what they have to say about working with our firm.
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“We appreciate their efforts, time and hard work.”- Jessie
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“I was injured in a car accident by a negligent driver. Tom Herd handled my personal injury claim and I was very happy with his work.”- Jeffrey
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“Gary Craw made me feel very comfortable. If I ever need help again I will go to him.”- Katherin
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“Gary Craw was very honest in his abilities.”- Valerie
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“Derry Adams is always upfront and doesn't sugarcoat anything. She led me through a painful journey that forced accountability on the other party. I could not have continued the process without Derry's strength, wisdom and guidance.”- Former Client
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We felt very welcome in your office. Personally, we found you easy to talk to and pleasant. We’re grateful for the service you provided to us!- Amber
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“You are a superstar!”- Felix
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“Although the case seemed never-ending, Gary Craw always kept me informed in every aspect of the case. I was told that Malpractice Lawsuits are the hardest to win, but I never gave up and neither did Gary. Justice did prevail and we WON our Medical Malpract”- Anonymous