A drunk driving accident in Denver is a preventable tragedy that should never have happened. If an impaired driver hurt you or someone you love on roads like I-25, I-70, and Colorado Boulevard, a Denver drunk driving accident lawyer can hold that driver accountable and pursue the full compensation you deserve. These crashes often cause severe injuries, and Colorado law gives victims powerful tools to fight back.
Beyond your normal injury claim, a drunk driving case may allow for punitive damages and a separate claim against the business that overserved the driver. An experienced attorney knows how to use every option the law provides.
Why Do You Need a Denver Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?
A Denver drunk driving accident lawyer pursues not only the impaired driver but also anyone else who shares the blame. Because drunk driving shows a reckless disregard for safety, these cases can support punitive damages on top of your regular compensation. Your lawyer gathers the criminal record, breath or blood test results, and witness accounts to build a strong case and to maximize what you recover.
How Do Drunk Driving Accidents Happen in Denver?
Drunk driving accidents in Denver happen because alcohol impairs the skills a driver needs to stay safe. The most common factors our Denver drunk driving accident lawyers see include:
- Impaired reaction time and poor judgment
- Drifting across lanes and over the center line
- Speeding and reckless maneuvers
- Wrong-way driving on highways
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
In 2024, impaired driving killed 210 people on Colorado roads, even after a 7 percent decline from the year before (CDOT, 2024).
What Should You Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Denver?
The steps you take after a drunk driving accident in Denver can protect both your health and your claim. Follow this checklist as closely as your condition allows:
- Call 911 right away so police respond and document the driver’s impairment.
- Get medical attention immediately, even if your injuries feel minor at first.
- Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, your injuries, and any signs of alcohol.
- Collect names and contact details from the driver and from any witnesses.
- Do not confront the driver, and avoid admitting any fault yourself.
- Notify your insurer, but avoid a recorded statement until you speak with a lawyer.
- Contact a Denver drunk driving accident lawyer before accepting any settlement.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Compensation in a Colorado drunk driving claim, known as damages, covers your losses and may include punitive damages meant to punish the driver. The table below shows the types of compensation a victim may pursue.
Types of Compensation in a Colorado Drunk Driving Claim
| Type of Damage | What It Covers |
| Medical expenses | Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment |
| Lost wages | Income lost during recovery plus reduced future earning capacity |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life |
| Property damage | Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Prescriptions, medical devices, and travel to medical appointments |
How Does Colorado’s Fault Rule Affect Your Claim?
Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. 13-21-111) lets you recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault for what happened. Your award is then reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total 100,000 dollars and you are found 20 percent at fault, you would receive 80,000 dollars. Insurance companies often try to assign you more blame than you deserve, so a Denver drunk driving accident lawyer works to keep that percentage as low as the facts allow.
How Long Do You Have to File a Drunk Driving Claim in Denver?
Colorado gives you three years from the date of a drunk driving crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver (C.R.S. 13-80-101). A separate claim against a bar or restaurant that overserved the driver, known as a dram shop claim, has a much shorter one-year deadline. Acting quickly protects evidence and preserves every option for recovery.
Do not wait to get legal help. Missing Colorado’s filing deadline almost always means losing your right to recover, no matter how strong your case is.
Can You Recover Punitive Damages in a Drunk Driving Case?
Punitive damages, called exemplary damages in Colorado, are often available in drunk driving cases because the driver acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others. These damages are awarded on top of your compensation to punish the driver and deter others. Colorado also allows a dram shop claim under C.R.S. 12-47-801 against a business that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor. A Denver drunk driving accident lawyer pursues every responsible party.
Parties Who May Be Liable in a Drunk Driving Crash
| Party | Possible Role |
| The drunk driver | Operating a vehicle while impaired and causing the crash |
| A bar or restaurant | Serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor (dram shop) |
| A social host | Serving alcohol to a minor who then caused the crash |
| An employer | If the driver was working or driving a company vehicle at the time |
How Much Does a Denver Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most Denver drunk driving accident lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and no hourly bills arrive while your case is ongoing. The attorney fee is a percentage of the compensation recovered, and you owe it only if your case is successful. We also offer a free consultation, so you can learn where you stand at no cost and with no obligation.
Contact a Denver Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If a drunk driver hurt you or someone you love in Denver, you deserve answers and accountability. Our team pursues the driver and any business that overserved them, and fights for the full compensation and punitive damages the law allows. We serve clients throughout downtown Denver and the surrounding metro area and offer a free consultation. Call today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue the bar that served the drunk driver?
Possibly. Under Colorado’s dram shop law, a bar or restaurant that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor can share liability. These claims have a short one-year deadline, so act quickly.
What if the drunk driver was criminally charged?
The criminal case is separate from your civil claim. A conviction can help your case, but you can pursue compensation through a civil claim whether or not the driver is convicted.
Can I get punitive damages in a drunk driving case?
Often, yes. Colorado allows exemplary damages when a driver acts with reckless disregard for safety, which drunk driving frequently shows. These damages punish the driver and are in addition to your other compensation.
How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident claim?
You generally have three years from the date of the crash to sue the driver. A separate dram shop claim against a bar or restaurant has only a one-year deadline.