Lakewood Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

One moment you’re stepping into the street. A second later you’re on the pavement, and a stranger is asking whether you can move. Maybe it happened on West Colfax Avenue, or at a crosswalk on Wadsworth Boulevard. On one stretch of Colfax, the city’s crash data shows that from 2015 through 2019, 98 crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists resulted in 74 serious injuries and 5 deaths. Where it happened matters less today than how you heal. Within days, the calls about insurance and medical bills may start.

You shouldn’t have to push through pain just to find out where you stand. Colorado law does set rules and deadlines for pedestrian claims, though, and learning them early can protect your options. A Lakewood pedestrian accident lawyer can listen to what happened, explain how those rules apply, and help you weigh the choices in front of you. How Levine Law approaches a claim like yours:

• Experience behind the firm. Founder Jordan S. Levine has worked on Colorado injury claims for over two decades. Before you decide anything, learn about our firm and its attorneys.
• Published outcomes. The firm lists its case results and verdicts online, including a pedestrian settlement described below, and past clients share their experiences in client reviews.
• One contingency arrangement for every crash. The firm takes pedestrian cases on the contingency terms it uses for a car accident claim, with the attorney fee set as a percentage of what the claim recovers.
• Three years for most claims. A lawsuit against the driver can generally be filed for up to three years, though some parts of a pedestrian case run on shorter clocks. Contact our Denver office to talk through which deadline applies. Among the firm’s awards and recognition is the AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

The crosswalk question above usually comes up early in a claim, and the evidence that answers it can fade quickly. Here’s where to start.

What should you do after being hit by a car in Lakewood?

In the first hours, it’s normal to feel confused or to underestimate how badly you’re hurt. Medical care comes first, followed by the details that can explain how the crash happened. The Lakewood Police Department handles most crashes on city streets. St. Anthony Hospital, a Level I trauma center, is inside Lakewood on West 2nd Place. When you’re able:

• Let paramedics or an emergency room check you. A head injury or internal bleeding may not be obvious while adrenaline is high. Follow the treatment plan and keep your records.
• Ask for the officer’s name and the case number. You’ll need both to get the crash report, which can come from Lakewood police or, on a state highway, the Colorado State Patrol. The report often describes where you were crossing.
• Write down what you remember about the crossing. Note whether there was a marked crosswalk, a signal, a “Walk” symbol, or a car stopped in the next lane. Details like these can matter under Colorado’s crosswalk rules.
• Ask nearby businesses to keep their video. Stores and restaurants along West Colfax and Wadsworth may have cameras, and many systems record over footage within days or weeks.
• Report a hit-and-run right away. If the driver left, a prompt police report can matter both for finding the driver and for a claim under your own auto policy.
• Be careful with recorded statements. An insurer may ask where you were looking or what you were wearing. It’s fine to say you don’t remember a detail instead of guessing.

What happens after a pedestrian accident claim starts in Lakewood?

Recovery and the claim tend to move on separate tracks, and knowing what each stage involves can make the wait easier to manage. A claim usually passes through the police investigation, early treatment, follow-up care, and a review of insurance coverage before any demand is made. How those stages tend to unfold:

• The police report. Lakewood officers, or the Colorado State Patrol on state highways, document the scene, the crossing, and what witnesses saw. 

Why it matters: An insurer’s early view of fault often starts from that report, so errors in it are worth correcting early.

• The first weeks of treatment. Emergency records, imaging, and early follow-up visits show what the crash did to your body. 

Why it matters: Those records tie each injury to the crash, which becomes harder to do when care is delayed.

• Follow-up care. Surgery, physical therapy, or specialist visits may continue for months. 

Why it matters: The lasting effect of your injuries usually isn’t known for months, and the claim’s value depends on it.

• The coverage review. The driver’s liability policy, your own auto policy, and any other responsible party’s coverage are identified. 

Why it matters: Colorado’s minimum liability coverage is $25,000 for one injured person, and a serious pedestrian injury can exceed that quickly.

Where do pedestrian accidents happen in Lakewood?

Many Lakewood pedestrian crashes happen on busy arterials where people cross wide roads to reach bus stops, stores, and homes. West Colfax Avenue shows how serious that risk can be. Lakewood’s safety study of the corridor mentioned that the 1.5-mile West Colfax stretch between Sheridan and Wadsworth recorded 820 crashes from 2015–2019, causing 283 serious injuries and six deaths. The study also found that 75% of surveyed respondents felt unsafe walking on Colfax, compared with 33% who felt unsafe driving.

. Common patterns include:

• Crossing between signals on West Colfax. Where traffic signals operate at adjacent intersections, Colorado law generally requires pedestrians to cross between those intersections only in a marked crosswalk. Lakewood’s West Colfax Transportation Safety Project will add designated mid-block “Z” crossings between signalized intersections, with pedestrian hybrid beacons planned to help control those crossings. 
• A second lane that doesn’t stop. On multi-lane roads like Wadsworth Boulevard, one driver may stop for you while a driver in the next lane keeps going. Colorado law prohibits overtaking a car that has stopped to let someone cross.
• Gaps in the sidewalk. Where a sidewalk ends, people may walk along the edge of the road. The West Colfax plan includes building continuous sidewalks along the corridor.
• Drivers turning at intersections. A driver turning right on red or left across a crosswalk often watches for other cars instead of people crossing.
• Busy parking lots. Lots at Belmar and Colorado Mills mix shoppers on foot with drivers backing out and looking for spaces.
• Night crossings with poor lighting. A person on foot is much harder to see after dark, and the city’s West Colfax plan adds roadway and pedestrian lighting.

What injuries do pedestrians in Lakewood crashes most often suffer?

A person on foot takes the full force of a vehicle, and the body often strikes twice, first the bumper and then the pavement. This impact often results in serious harm like brain injuries and fractures.

• Leg, knee, and pelvis fractures. A bumper usually meets the legs first, and the fall that follows can injure the hips and pelvis.
• Traumatic brain injuries can come from the head striking the hood, the windshield, or the ground. Symptoms like memory problems or headaches sometimes appear days later.
• Spinal cord injuries can result when the impact twists or compresses the back. Some affect movement or sensation permanently.
• Internal injuries. Bleeding or organ damage may not be visible at first, which is one reason trauma teams order scans after a pedestrian crash.
• Scarring and lasting impairment. Road rash, surgical scars, and a limp can remain after the fractures heal.

Tell your providers about every symptom as it appears, even one that seems small. When a symptom first shows up weeks after the crash, an insurer may question whether the crash caused it.

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Does it matter whether you were in a crosswalk?

It matters, but it rarely settles a claim on its own. Colorado assigns duties to both drivers and pedestrians, and where you crossed is only one part of the picture. The driver’s speed, attention, and view of the crossing usually matter just as much. The main rules:

• Inside a crosswalk. Where no signal is operating, Colorado’s crosswalk law requires drivers to yield, slowing or stopping as needed. At a signal, a steady “Walk” gives you the right to cross. A flashing “Don’t Walk” means you shouldn’t start across, although people already crossing may finish.
• Outside a crosswalk. You’re required to yield to vehicles. Between two intersections that both have working signals, crossing is allowed only in a marked crosswalk.
• Everywhere. Colorado’s pedestrian safety statute (C.R.S. § 42-4-807) requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian and to take special care near a child or anyone who appears confused or incapacitated. Pedestrians, in turn, shouldn’t step suddenly into the path of a vehicle too close to stop.

When both sides share responsibility, Colorado’s comparative negligence law (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault. Recovery is barred if your share is as large as, or larger than, the fault of the parties you’re seeking recovery from. Hypothetically, if your losses were valued at $180,000 and you were found 40% at fault for crossing mid-block at night, you would recover $108,000.

Who can be held responsible after a Lakewood pedestrian accident?

It can feel frustrating to have to prove anything when you were the one on foot. The law’s starting point is simple: a driver who fails to watch for pedestrians and injures someone as a result can be held responsible. Rolling through a right turn without looking, overtaking a car that stopped for someone crossing, and texting while driving are everyday examples. Depending on the facts, responsibility can also reach:

• The driver’s employer, when the driver was working at the time. A delivery van driver on a route is acting for the company, while the same person running a personal errand usually isn’t.
• A liquor licensee that served the driver alcohol, if it willfully and knowingly served someone who was visibly intoxicated or under 21, and that person’s intoxication then caused the crash. Colorado’s liquor liability law, C.R.S. § 44-3-801, generally requires a civil action against the licensee to be commenced within one year of the sale or service. The statute also limits the licensee’s total liability, subject to statutory inflation adjustments. 
• A property owner or manager, when the layout or lighting of a private lot contributed, and the owner knew or should have known about the problem.
• A public entity, if a malfunctioning signal, a dangerous condition on a public road, or a public vehicle such as an RTD bus contributed, and the conditions for governmental liability are met. A claim like this runs through the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, which includes a 182-day notice requirement.

Why liability gets complicated fast

More than one driver can share the blame for the same crash. Picture a car that stops for you at a crosswalk on Wadsworth while a second car passes it and hits you. If a jury found the passing driver 80% responsible and the first driver 20% responsible, Colorado’s pro-rata liability law (C.R.S. § 13-21-111.5) generally limits each to its own share.

For example, if your total recoverable damages were $100,000, the 80%-at-fault driver could generally be responsible for $80,000, while the 20%-at-fault driver could generally be responsible for $20,000. The jury would determine each party’s percentage of fault based on the evidence, and Colorado law generally does not make one defendant pay the other defendant’s share simply because that defendant has more insurance or assets. 

The driver’s insurance is a separate question. If the driver carried too little coverage, or left and was never identified, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply even though you were walking. Under Colorado’s uninsured motorist law (C.R.S. § 10-4-609), underinsured coverage is added to what the at-fault driver’s insurer pays, not reduced by it.

What can you recover after a Lakewood pedestrian accident?

Money worries can pile up quietly while you are recovering. Colorado’s damages statute, C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5, recognizes economic and non-economic losses, with the damages available in a particular case depending on the injury, its effects, and the evidence supporting the claim. Economic damages cover losses that can often be documented through medical bills, receipts, pay stubs, and other financial records. Non-economic damages address the ways an injury has affected your life, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, impairment of quality of life, physical impairment, and disfigurement. 

• Economic damages. These can include emergency care, surgery, therapy, mobility equipment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to the same work.
• Non-economic damages. These can include pain, emotional distress, fear of crossing streets again, and the loss of activities you enjoyed before the crash.
• Physical impairment or disfigurement. These can include a lasting limp, reduced range of motion, or visible scarring. Colorado treats this category separately when it applies its limit on non-economic damages.

Why calculating damages can be complicated

The full cost of a pedestrian injury often isn’t clear for months. A fractured pelvis may heal on schedule and still leave you unable to stand for a full shift, or a knee injury may need another surgery years later. Estimates from your treating doctors, a life-care plan that prices future care, and records of your work history can help show those longer-term effects.

Against a private driver, non-economic damages are capped at $1.5 million in civil actions filed on or after January 1, 2025, under HB 24-1472, subject to the statute’s terms. Adjustments for inflation begin in 2028, and the cap reaches only non-economic losses, leaving economic damages you can support with evidence outside it. If a public entity is involved, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act governs whether that part of the claim can go forward and how much it can pay, based on the entity and the injury date.

Keeping track of these rules while you’re healing can feel like a lot. Documenting your treatment and daily limitations as you go can make the longer-term picture easier to show.

How long do you have to file a claim after a Lakewood pedestrian accident?

Deadlines are easy to lose track of while recovery takes most of your energy. When a motor vehicle was involved, Colorado’s three-year limit for vehicle crashes (C.R.S. § 13-80-101) sets a window, starting on the day of the crash, to file a lawsuit. Ongoing treatment and insurance negotiations don’t pause that clock.

Every part of Lakewood falls in Jefferson County, so a pedestrian injury lawsuit here is typically heard by the Jefferson County District Court, 1st Judicial District in Golden.

Pitfall alert

Not every pedestrian claim gets three years. The three-year deadline applies to injuries arising from the use of a motor vehicle. If a bicyclist hit you on a sidewalk or on one of Lakewood’s trails, the claim generally falls under Colorado’s two-year deadline for most injury claims (C.R.S. § 13-80-102). A wrongful death claim after a fatal pedestrian crash also runs on a two-year clock, counted from the date of death. Assuming every case gets three years can mean missing the date that actually applies.

Why do you need a lawyer after a Lakewood pedestrian accident?

A pedestrian claim can become more involved than it first appears. The important questions may include exactly where and how you were crossing, what the driver could have seen, which insurance policies apply, and whether a public entity played a role. Those questions often overlap, and the answers are usually spread across police records, video, and medical files. Having someone who understands Colorado’s traffic and injury laws can help connect them.

Where the claim can become complicated

• The crossing facts may be disputed. Signal timing, lighting, sight lines, and which lane the car was in can each change how fault is divided.
• The driver may have little or no insurance. A driver with minimum coverage, or one who was never identified, can leave most of the loss to your own policy.
• A public entity may be involved. A signal that wasn’t working or a public bus brings the Governmental Immunity Act’s notice and immunity rules into the claim.
• Your injuries may keep changing. A second surgery or a slower recovery can change what the claim is worth long after the crash.

Each of these is a point where careful work can change the outcome of the claim.

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How can a Lakewood pedestrian accident lawyer help?

A lawyer can gather the proof of how the crash happened before it disappears. That usually starts with the police report, video requests, and a close look at the crossing itself.

A lawyer may also:

• Reconstruct the crossing. This can include signal timing, measurements, lighting conditions, and what a driver in that lane could have seen.
• Find every source of coverage. The driver’s policy, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and any employer or business that shares responsibility can each be checked for what they owe.
• Meet any notice requirements. If a public entity may be involved, a pedestrian accident lawyer can identify it early and send the required notice.
• Document your recovery over time. Treatment records, a doctor’s view of your future care, and work records can show losses that aren’t obvious in the first weeks.
• Deal with insurers on your behalf. A Lakewood pedestrian accident attorney can field adjusters’ questions and compare any offer with your documented losses before you accept or decline it.

Your job right now is to heal. Once the evidence and deadlines are in order, it becomes easier to see what the claim involves and what choices are yours to make.

How does a pedestrian accident claim work in Colorado?

Not knowing what comes next can add stress to an already hard time. A Lakewood pedestrian claim usually moves through four stages, and many resolve through negotiation without a trial.

1. Consultation. We talk through the crash, your injuries, and where fault is likely to be disputed.
2. Investigation. We request the crash report and any video, look at the crossing and signals, and collect witness accounts.
3. Demand and negotiation. Once your treatment picture is clearer, we send each insurer a documented demand and negotiate from that point.
4. Filing suit. If negotiation doesn’t resolve the claim, a lawsuit is filed in the Jefferson County District Court, and the case is prepared for trial.

What if you were hit by a car while you were working?

People hit while working, such as road crews, delivery workers, and parking attendants, often have two paths at once. Colorado’s workers’ compensation system may cover medical care and part of your lost wages. A separate claim against the at-fault driver may cover losses that workers’ compensation doesn’t, such as pain and suffering. Under Colorado’s third-party claim law (C.R.S. § 8-41-203), the workers’ compensation insurer may be entitled to be repaid from that recovery for benefits it paid, but not more than those benefits. Coordinating the two claims early can help avoid mistakes that reduce what you keep.

How do you choose a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim?

Choose a lawyer who has experience with pedestrian and motor-vehicle injury claims, understands the insurance and liability issues that can arise when a pedestrian is struck, and takes the time to explain your options clearly. 

It’s reasonable to take a little time with this decision, even when you’re still recovering. A few questions can show whether a firm understands pedestrian cases and will explain your options plainly. Here’s where Levine Law stands on each:

• Has the firm resolved a pedestrian case? 

The firm’s results include a pedestrian case that settled for $925,000 after a driver ran a red light (see our case results). A past result can’t predict yours, but it shows experience with this kind of claim.

• How would the firm reconstruct the crossing? 

Ask how a firm would establish signal timing, lighting, and the driver’s view. Those details often decide how fault is divided.

• Will the firm review your own insurance too? 

Your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can matter as much as the driver’s policy. A firm should check it early.

• How will you get updates? 

Ask who your contact will be and how often you’ll hear about the claim. A long recovery is easier when you know what’s happening.

• How do attorney fees work? 

Under contingency terms, the attorney fee depends on the result of your case. At Levine Law, the first consultation is free, and the fee is taken as a percentage of any recovery. Filing fees and other case costs are handled apart from the attorney fee, so it’s worth asking how they’re paid.

What do clients say about working with Levine Law?

Andrew C. was hit by a car while he was working, and his review describes a firm that has stayed with him through a long recovery.

“I was hit by a car while performing my regular job duties. My injuries were severe. To this day, Jordan’s office continues to represent me and has always served me promptly and professionally.” — Andrew C., client testimonial.

More client reviews are available on the firm’s reviews page.

Disclaimer: Client reviews reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee of any particular result.

What results has Levine Law obtained in pedestrian cases?

Here’s an example of what Levine Law has secured for a pedestrian injured by a driver:

• $925,000 settlement — A driver ran a red light and struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street. The client broke both legs and was hospitalized for a week.

Additional results are posted on our Cases & Verdicts page.

Disclaimer: Prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is decided on its own facts.

What areas does Levine Law serve near Lakewood?

We represent pedestrians hurt throughout Lakewood and nearby communities, including:

• Belmar
• Green Mountain
• Bear Creek
• Two Creeks
• Wheat Ridge
• Golden
• Edgewater
• Denver
• Arvada
• Glendale
• Boulder

The location of the crash decides which agency investigates. City officers take most crashes on Lakewood streets, and state troopers take those on state highways.

Local Resources

Emergency and trauma care

• St. Anthony Hospital — Level I trauma center in Lakewood — 11600 W 2nd Pl, Lakewood, CO 80228.
• Denver Health Medical Center — Level I trauma center — 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204.

Police and crash reports

• Lakewood Police Department — the city police department, which investigates most local crashes — 445 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80226; non-emergency 303-980-7300.
• Colorado State Patrol — handles crashes on state highways in the Lakewood area.
• Colorado DMV crash records — where to order an official copy of a crash report.

Reporting a hazard

• City of Lakewood service requests — the city’s system for reporting problems like a broken streetlight or an uncleared sidewalk.

Courts

• Jefferson County District Court, 1st Judicial District — civil injury lawsuits for Lakewood — 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401.

Pedestrian safety data

• West Colfax Transportation Safety Project — Lakewood’s study of crashes and survey results, plus planned crossings, sidewalks, and lighting on the Sheridan-to-Teller stretch of Colfax.

We provide these resources for convenience only. We don’t endorse or profit from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the driver automatically at fault if I was in a crosswalk in Lakewood?

Not automatically, though it often helps your claim. Colorado’s crosswalk law (C.R.S. § 42-4-802) requires drivers to yield in crosswalks without a working signal, and it also tells pedestrians not to step suddenly into the path of a car too close to stop. A Jefferson County jury would weigh both sides’ conduct before dividing fault.

What if the Lakewood police report says I was at fault?

A police report can shape an insurer’s first view of the claim, but it isn’t the final word on fault. Officers often arrive after the crash and rely on statements taken at the scene. Video, witness accounts, and signal timing can show a different picture, and Colorado’s comparative negligence law (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) divides fault based on all the evidence.

Can I still bring a claim if I didn’t see a doctor right away?

Often, yes. Many pedestrians feel fine at first because adrenaline masks pain. A gap in treatment can give an insurer room to question whether the crash caused your injuries, so it helps to see a doctor as soon as possible and describe how the crash happened. The three-year deadline under C.R.S. § 13-80-101 generally still applies.

How much does a Lakewood pedestrian accident lawyer cost?

Under Levine Law’s contingency arrangement for Lakewood pedestrian claims, the attorney fee comes from a percentage of the recovery, so it depends on how the case turns out. Court filing fees and other costs aren’t part of that fee, and the written agreement spells out how they’re handled. The first consultation is free, whether you call or reach out online.

Talk to a Lakewood pedestrian accident lawyer today

If you were hit while walking in Lakewood, or someone in your family was, Levine Law can help you understand the claim and the choices ahead. We’re available day or night, and we’ll look at the crossing, the coverage, and your recovery with you.

Contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Attorney Reviews and Office Information

This content has been reviewed by the attorneys at Levine Law for accuracy and compliance with Colorado law. Legal services are provided by attorneys licensed to practice in Colorado.

Denver Office
Levine Law LLC
4500 Cherry Creek S Dr #400
Denver, CO 80246
24/7 Hotline: (303) 333-8000

Colorado Springs Office
Levine Law LLC
102 S Tejon St #1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 642-6220

Other Cases We Handle in Lakewood

Pedestrian accidents are one part of what we handle. Our other Lakewood practice areas include:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Rideshare Accidents
• Slip & Fall Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Wrongful Death

This content is for informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. Reading it doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its own facts.