Updated May 29, 2026 by Sean McQuaid
What is a Personal Injury Case?
When one person suffers an injury due to someone else’s negligence or purposeful act, this can be considered a case of personal injury.
Plaintiffs may settle personal injury cases with a formal lawsuit in trial or through mediation or arbitration. Personal injury cases come in all varieties and types, ranging from car accidents and bicycle accidents to dog bites.
Victims of personal injury cases can seek compensation for damages from the responsible parties. If you have sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing and would like to file a personal injury claim, remember there is a statute of limitations for your case. That means you have a time limit from the incident date to when you can file a claim.
Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury claims are commonly settled or heard by judges. Or, if a case goes to trial, a jury can decide on the verdict. Victims who have incurred damages, losses, and injuries can claim money for their hardships through personal injury claims.
Here is a list of some of the most common personal injury cases in Colorado:
Auto Accident Injuries
According to recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, tens of thousands of people die in motor vehicle crashes across the United States every year, while millions more suffer injuries. As a result, motor vehicle accidents remain one of the most common sources of personal injury claims in Denver. According to CDOT data, Denver reported 61 traffic fatalities in 2024. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and motorcycle crashes continued to contribute to serious accidents throughout the Denver metro area.
If you have been in an accident that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you should contact a Denver auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Whether the accident was from drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, or any other distraction, you’ll need to prove the at-fault party’s negligence. But, of course, this is easier said than done.
Auto accident claims often come down to your story against the other party’s. As such, an experienced personal injury attorney can use their expertise in trial and negotiations and gather evidence to build a strong case. Skilled attorneys also know how to leverage relationships to better your odds of a successful outcome. The best personal injury attorneys cover all types of auto-related accidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
Truck Accidents
Filing a personal injury claim for truck accidents is usually more complicated than it would be with a regular car driver. This is because truck accidents typically involve large commercial trucks and companies with armies of lawyers and daunting insurers to go up against.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation. And it shouldn’t be an undervalued offer.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dogs can be man’s best friend or his worst nightmare. Millions of people every year get bitten by dogs. Thousands end up in hospitals needing medical treatment. Most of the time, the dog owner is the liable party, but that will vary depending on state laws.
While some states have strict liability laws, making the dog owner responsible for the attack, other states only hold the owner accountable if they know that their dog has a propensity for aggression.
Colorado law imposes strict liability laws on dog owners for dog bites and attacks. If someone suffers serious bodily injury from an animal attack, the owner may have to pay damages or be liable for other damages.
Denver specifically has dog laws that dog owners are obligated to follow. If owners breach these care duties, they may be held accountable and found negligent.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
An estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries every year. Victims of traumatic brain injury will most likely have a plethora of medical bills and deserve compensation for their financial hardships, including future suffering and medical bills.
Traumatic brain injuries can alter the entire course of a person’s life and have lasting effects.
Victims of TBI can face everything from headaches and depression to the cost of expensive medical bills and lost wages. They deserve fair compensation for their pain and suffering.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim arises when negligence causes death. For example, several thousand lives are lost to car accident fatalities on the US roadways every year, and any of those deaths are wrongful death cases.
The deceased’s family members and loved ones should not have to face the burden of medical or funeral expenses after such a dire loss. As such, it’s critical to find a quality attorney to represent your family if you’ve lost a loved one to someone else’s carelessness or negligence.
How Long Do You Have To File A Personal Injury Claim In Colorado?
Colorado law limits how long injury victims have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In many Colorado personal injury cases, victims generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, motor vehicle accident claims often have a three-year filing deadline instead.
Although that may sound like plenty of time, waiting too long can damage your case. Important evidence may disappear quickly after an accident. Surveillance footage can get deleted, witnesses may forget details, and accident scenes often change over time.
In addition, some claims may involve shorter deadlines. For example, claims involving government agencies or public entities can require formal notice within a much shorter time frame.
Because of this, many injury victims in Denver choose to speak with a personal injury lawyer soon after an accident. Early legal guidance can help preserve evidence, protect your rights, and avoid costly mistakes during the insurance process.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
Personal injury lawyers provide legal services to people who have suffered from the negligence of another party. Denver personal injury lawyers work on cases that focus on what is known as “tort law,” which aims to provide assistance and relief to victims of injury or harm from a legally responsible or negligent party.
Our services start with a free consultation from top-tier Denver personal injury lawyers. The goal of the initial consultation is to get acquainted with your specific situation and make sure you know your legal rights. Our team will then investigate and document your story to build a strong case for you. Until we successfully resolve your case, we will work diligently to identify all possible liable parties and handle communications with insurance companies, medical care providers, and other attorneys.
We will work to win you the maximum compensation for your injuries. One of our key strengths is our attorneys’ invaluable experience in the insurance sector, which helps us anticipate the opposing side’s actions and plan accordingly. No matter what, our top priority is to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If we cannot reach a satisfactory agreement, we are prepared to go to court on your behalf.
You can count on our Denver personal injury lawyers’ honest, reliable, and consistent communication. We will work to ensure you are well-informed through each step of your case. You can trust that our team of legal experts will get the job done right.
What Compensation Can You Recover In A Denver Personal Injury Case?
The value of a Colorado personal injury claim depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the cost of medical treatment, and how the accident affects daily life.
In many Denver personal injury cases, victims may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
Severe injuries often lead to much larger claims, especially when the victim suffers long-term pain, permanent disabilities, or lasting emotional trauma. In addition, Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Therefore, compensation may decrease if the injured person shares fault for the accident.
An experienced Denver personal injury lawyer can help calculate damages, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Colorado?
Colorado law generally gives injury victims two years to file most personal injury claims. However, Colorado motor vehicle accident cases often have a three-year deadline. Waiting too long may hurt your ability to recover compensation.
What compensation can you recover in a Denver personal injury case?
In a Denver personal injury case, victims may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, emotional distress, and future medical treatment. The value of a claim often depends on the severity of the injuries and long-term impact.
What types of accidents commonly lead to personal injury claims in Colorado?
Many Colorado personal injury claims involve car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, and traumatic brain injuries. Negligence plays a major role in most of these cases.
How does Colorado comparative negligence affect a personal injury claim?
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation may decrease if you share fault for the accident. However, you may still recover damages if you were less than 50% responsible for the incident.
Should I hire a Denver personal injury lawyer after an accident?
A Denver personal injury lawyer can help investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation under Colorado law. Early legal guidance may also help protect important evidence and avoid costly mistakes.
See It Through With an Experienced Denver Personal Injury Lawyer
It’s not always an easy task to find a good lawyer. However, working with a competent, seasoned lawyer can ultimately spell the difference between the success or failure of your case. Furthermore, the stress of an injury or financial hardships can take a toll on anyone, and an inadequate or inexperienced lawyer will only add to your frustration.
Make sure you find the right attorney who will have your best interests in mind throughout your case. Do not make the false assumption that all personal injury lawyers are of equal caliber. Instead, do your research and ask the right questions to ensure you make an informed decision and find the best attorney for your case.
Call us today for a free initial consultation. We will happily discuss your legal rights and fight to win you the total compensation you deserve.