How to Report a Car Accident in Colorado

Colorado Law Requires You To Report an Accident

According to Colorado Law, “the driver of the vehicle involved in a traffic accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person or any property damage shall…give immediate notice of the location of such accident and such other information…”.

This law requires all who have been involved in a car accident in Colorado that results in injury or property damage to report the accident immediately.

If a Police Officer Was Present

According to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles, if you call a police officer following a car accident, you do not need to provide any further forms unless the Department of Revenue contacts you. If you are contacted, the communication will let you know what other requirements you have to report the accident.

Having a police officer present at the accident scene can help facilitate any issues or questions, and a neutral, third-party report of the accident is made that you can utilize in the future if you choose to pursue legal options.

Information in a police report can include whether or not an inflatable restraint system (airbags) was deployed as a result of the accident, all parties involved, the date and time of the accident, and more.

If a Police Officer Was Not Present

If a police officer was not present at the scene following an accident, you can report the accident online here. If an officer is present, you can skip this step, and it’s best to have them there on the scene to create their own report, as when you file it individually, it’s typically not investigated by police.

What To Do Following a Car Accident in Colorado

Following an accident, it’s important to take a few steps to advocate for yourself in the future should you choose to pursue legal options. The first step is to call 911 if necessary for injuries. If it’s not essential for emergency injuries, calling 911 will still ensure that the police are informed of the accident, can respond to the call, and can make a police report.

Move your vehicle off the roadway and away from traffic if at all possible. It’s important to keep safety in mind for you, the other drivers involved, and those who may be driving by to avoid secondary accidents or further injuries.

Gather the other drivers involved and obtain their contact and insurance information. Assess whether or not other drivers require medical attention and call for help as necessary.

Gathering Evidence

Gather pictures or videos of everything relevant at the scene. It’s helpful to have images or videos of the vehicles involved, the setting (such as where the accident occurred, which intersection, etc.), and if there was any inclement weather that can be recorded, such as slippery or icy roads.

Pictures of the damages to the vehicles, skid marks on the road, debris left from the accident, and more are also helpful.

Speak to eyewitnesses. In many cases, there are witnesses to what occurred, and having the contact information of any eyewitnesses can be helpful in the future. You will want to document what they saw either on paper or record it on your phone and gather their contact information for future reference.

If you aren’t physically able to take pictures or video and speak with eyewitnesses due to injury, seek medical assistance and see if someone nearby is willing to handle these tasks for you.

Seek Medical Attention

When you can, seek medical attention. Even if you feel that your injuries are minor, it’s essential to have a medical professional review you thoroughly, as some injuries won’t present symptoms immediately and could worsen without immediate care.

Another important reason to seek medical attention immediately is if there are issues, you can have them appropriately documented promptly, without question, and fully understand the extent of the injuries you may have sustained due to the accident.

Your Strongest Ally

Car accidents happen every day. They are never fun, and some of them can have devastating effects on all involved. By reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney, you can ensure that you have the proper steps taken care of immediately and a fierce advocate on your side.

Insurance companies and other parties may not have your best interest. Your personal injury attorney will always have your best interest at heart.

Call our office today at (720) 707-0870 to schedule your free initial consultation and understand more about your options.

As your ally, your personal injury attorney can communicate with other parties, insurance, and more. They can also facilitate negotiations, ensure you comply with car accident laws, and become a fierce advocate should you choose to pursue legal options in court.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Contact us today.