If you were involved in a crash, it is important to understand how long you have to take legal action. In most cases, the statute of limitations for car accidents in Colorado is three years from the date of the accident, but exceptions can apply. Your Boulder car accident lawyer with Purvis Thomson, LLP offers free case evaluations 24/7 and can help you understand how the law applies to your specific situation.
The clock does not always start ticking the moment an accident happens. For many cases, the statute of limitations begins on the date of the crash, but other times it starts when injuries are discovered or when key details are reported. Your Colorado Boulder personal injury lawyer can help you figure out what applies in your situation and whether the standard timeline gives you enough time to act.
While most car accident cases follow the three-year rule, some are tied to delayed discoveries. For example, if you suffered a neck or back injury that did not show symptoms until weeks later, the statute may start from when you first received a diagnosis.
The same is true when an accident report is delayed, or when medical providers find new complications after the initial evaluation. The timing depends on when you knew or should have known that the accident caused the injury.
Certain situations can pause or extend the usual filing window. If the person injured is a minor, legally incapacitated, or if the accident involved a hit-and-run that triggered a longer investigation, the deadline may be adjusted.
These tolling rules are outlined in C.R.S. § 13-80-101, which lists the rare exceptions that allow the clock to stop temporarily while important details are sorted out. Your lawyer will look at these exceptions closely if your timeline is in question.
The timeline for filing a car accident claim in Colorado is not always the same for everyone. Sometimes the clock runs longer or shorter based on who was involved, how serious the injuries are, or when the details came to light. A few specific factors that could shift your filing deadline include:
Each of these factors can affect whether your window to file is extended or limited. According to C.R.S. § 24-10-109, the time to act is shortened when a government entity is involved, which means earlier notice is required. Your Colorado catastrophic injury lawyer can help you figure out which rule applies to your case and make sure your timeline does not expire before you are ready to file.
When deadlines matter, having a legal team that understands Colorado’s timelines can make all the difference. People turn to our firm because we take time-sensitive claims seriously and know how to handle them without unnecessary delays. Here is why so many Colorado families trust us to get it right:
Filing too late can shut the door on your case, even if your injuries are serious and your claim is strong. Your car accident lawyer in Colorado from Purvis Thomson, LLP can review the timeline for your case and help you figure out how much time you have. If you are unsure where things stand, contact us today to get accurate, honest answers before time runs out.
