Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Being hit by a car while you are on foot is terrifying and painful — you had no bumper or seatbelt, just your own body against a vehicle. It is unfair, then, that the insurer is already hunting for a reason to blame you and pay less. You deserve time to heal, not a fight. A Denver pedestrian accident lawyer can take that fight off your shoulders.

• 20+ years of experience: At Levine Law, founder Jordan S. Levine and our Denver injury attorneys have stood up for our clients’ rights for more than 20 years. Learn about our firm and the team who would handle your case. 
• Proven results: Don’t face insurers alone— we’ve secured multi-million-dollar case results and verdicts for our clients, as detailed in our client reviews.
• Comprehensive injury representation: We handle all types of injury claims, from car accident cases and pedestrian injuries to wrongful death.
• Free consultation: Contact our Denver office for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency basis— you pay no fee unless we win— and you can also see the awards and recognition our attorneys have earned.

A crash between a car and a person on foot is a motor vehicle claim, so you usually have three years to file in Colorado (C.R.S. § 13-80-101). For cases filed in 2025 or later, the cap on pain-and-suffering damages rose to $1.5 million — so acting early protects your claim and evidence like signal timing and nearby video before it is erased.

What should you do immediately after a pedestrian accident in Denver?

Get medical care first. Then report the crash and record the scene if you can. In Denver, the police officer who responds will fill out a Colorado Traffic Crash Report (form DR 3447). You can ask the Denver Police Records Unit for a copy later.

What you do in the first few hours can decide your claim. To protect it:

• Let EMS take you in and get checked, even if you can walk. Getting hit by a car often causes internal injuries and concussions that you cannot feel at first. Adrenaline hides them. Denver Health Medical Center runs the city’s 911 system and its top-level trauma center. Early records link your injuries to the crash.
• Report the crash. Colorado law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1606) says you must report any crash with an injury, a death, or property damage right away. Denver Police or the Colorado State Patrol will look into it and file the DR 3447 report.
• Take photos of the scene and the crosswalk. Capture the signal, the “WALK” light, skid marks, vehicle positioning, and lighting conditions. These facts can resolve disputes regarding the right of way. Alternatively, seek assistance from witnesses, colleagues, or friends to help document this evidence.
• Find witnesses and cameras. Get names and phone numbers. Note nearby stores, Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus stops, or traffic cameras — for example, at Colorado Boulevard or along Colfax Avenue — that may have caught the crash on video before it is erased. Independent witness information matters most when the driver’s story and yours do not match, which is common once fault and insurance money are at stake.

  
  

What actually happens after a pedestrian crash in Denver?

The process moves slower than most people expect, but the pressure starts fast. Crash reports from the Denver Police Department can take several days to finish. Busy trauma units at Denver Health or Saint Joseph Hospital can also slow down the records you need to prove serious injuries.

The driver’s insurance company, though, often calls within a day or two. Pedestrian cases bring a common trick. The adjuster asks exactly where you were standing when the car hit you. They are hoping you will say you stepped outside the crosswalk or crossed against the light. Anything you say this early — before you even know how badly you are hurt — can later be used to blame you. It is fine to give only the basic facts. Do not give a recorded statement until you have talked with a lawyer.

What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Denver?

Most Denver pedestrian crashes come from driver negligence. Most happen on the city’s fastest, widest roads. And the problem is getting worse. Here is what most often causes them:

• Not yielding at crosswalks — a driver turning across a crosswalk, or rolling through a right-on-red, hits a person who had the right of way.
• Speeding on dangerous roads — Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue have so many crashes that the City added its 2024 SPEED program there, with speed vans and cameras.
• Distracted driving — phone use keeps drivers’ eyes off people on foot along busy roads like Colorado Boulevard and East Colfax Avenue.
• Impaired driving — drivers using alcohol or cannabis are a constant danger to people on foot, especially after dark.
• Drowsy driving — a driver who nods off or reacts too slowly can miss a person in the crosswalk entirely.
• Ignoring stop signs and traffic signals — a driver who runs a stop sign or a red light can hit a pedestrian who reasonably expected traffic to stop.
• Silent hybrid and electric vehicles — these run so quietly that a pedestrian may not hear one coming, which is why federal rules now require them to emit sound at low speeds.
• Pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk or against the signal — jaywalking or stepping out on a “don’t walk” signal raises the risk of a crash and can shift some fault onto the pedestrian too.

The City’s Vision Zero program maps the most dangerous roads as its High Injury Network — the small share of streets where most severe pedestrian crashes happen. You can review the Denver Vision Zero crash dashboard for the data behind it. Denver saw 17 pedestrian deaths in 2024— 27% of all traffic deaths in the city that year — and Colorado recorded 112 pedestrian deaths statewide, according to NHTSA’s Pedestrians: 2024 Data report.

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What types of injuries are common in Denver pedestrian accidents?

A person on foot has nothing to shield them from a car, so injuries are often severe. How serious the injury is usually drives both your recovery time and the value of your claim.

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — from a concussion to lasting problems with memory and thinking. These are common when a pedestrian hits the hood or the pavement.
• Spinal cord injuries — which can cause partial or full paralysis.
• Broken bones in the legs, pelvis, and arms, from the first hit and the fall that follows.
• Internal injuries and bleeding — which may not show up right away. These need urgent care at a top-level trauma center like Denver Health.
• Catastrophic, life-changing injuries — including amputations and permanent disability, which call for long-term medical and money planning.

Some of these injuries get worse days later. So follow-up care protects both your health and your claim.

Who is liable for a pedestrian accident in Denver?

Fault comes down to negligence — being careless. A driver who fails to yield, or does not drive safely around people on foot, is responsible for the harm they cause. But depending on the crash, more than one party may share the blame. Here is who can be held responsible:

• Careless drivers — the most common at-fault party, as all drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care, including watching for pedestrians and reacting in time, which they breach when failing to yield, speeding, or driving distracted or impaired.
• Employers — an employer can be responsible for its worker. So if a delivery, rideshare, or work driver hits a pedestrian on the job, the company may share the blame.
• Vehicle or parts makers — when a defect, like bad brakes or a faulty auto-braking system, played a part.
• Government agencies — the City and County of Denver, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), or RTD (the bus and train system) may be at fault for a bad intersection design, a broken signal, or a crash with a transit vehicle. These claims fall under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. 

Colorado uses a rule called modified comparative negligence (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) — a rule for how blame gets split. If you are 49% or less at fault, your payment drops by your share of the blame. At 50% or more, you get nothing. Insurers know this. So claiming that a pedestrian “darted out” or jaywalked is one of their most common moves.

Attorney insight: What makes Denver pedestrian cases complex?

Pedestrian accident cases are often harder to prove than other crashes. This is because key evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies often try to blame the person who was walking.

What makes Denver pedestrian claims hard:

• Fault is the biggest issue. Insurance companies often try to argue that you jaywalked or “darted out” into traffic. They do this because if they can prove you were 50% or more at fault under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule, you won’t get any money for your claim.
• A government vehicle or road design adds a hard deadline. When an RTD bus, a City of Denver vehicle, or a dangerous intersection played a part, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act requires written notice within 182 days. Miss it, and that claim is barred no matter how much of the three-year window is left.
• Severe injuries drive up what is at stake. A person on foot absorbs the full force of a vehicle, so these cases often involve brain, spine, or catastrophic injuries. Proving their lifetime cost takes life-care plans and future-earnings experts.
• The key evidence is short-lived. Signal-timing data and nearby security or traffic-camera video can be overwritten within days. Locking it down early can be what proves you had the right of way.
• Uninsured and underinsured drivers shift the case to your own coverage. When the driver who hit you has no insurance or too little, recovery often runs through your own UM/UIM policy. That coverage carries its own notice rules and proof requirements.

Being ready for trial means saving physical and digital evidence, working with medical and crash-reconstruction experts, documenting the long-term impact, and preparing every case as if it may go before a jury.

What damages can you recover after a Denver pedestrian accident?

Colorado injury victims can recover two kinds of damages: economic damages (measurable financial losses) and non-economic damages (human losses like pain and suffering). 

Economic damages are uncapped and generally include:

• Current and future medical expenses, from the ER to rehabilitation.
• Lost income and reduced future earning capacity.
• Out-of-pocket costs, like damaged belongings, a rental, or home and vehicle changes.

Meanwhile, non-economic damages — which are capped by statute (C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5) — cover losses such as:

• Emotional distress — the anxiety, fear, and psychological trauma the crash caused.
• Pain and suffering — the physical discomfort and pain from your injuries.
• Scarring and disfigurement — permanent marks from injuries or surgeries.
• Loss of companionship — the strain on your relationships with family.
• Loss of enjoyment of life — being unable to take part in hobbies or daily routines you enjoyed before the crash.

While non-economic damages are personal, they often create real bills. Therapy for trauma and medicine for pain cost money, and permanent scarring can make it hard to work again. In Colorado, you can seek economic damages for those costs, plus non-economic damages for the human toll of the crash.

Legal Note on Colorado’s damage caps

For cases filed on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado raised its cap on pain-and-suffering money to $1.5 million under HB 24-1472. That is a big jump from the old limit. This $1.5 million cap applies to a pedestrian injury claim. Economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, still have no cap. In cases of extreme or reckless conduct, the court may also allow punitive damages — extra money meant to punish the wrongdoer — under C.R.S. § 13-21-102. If a pedestrian does not survive, the family may bring a wrongful death claim, which has its own rules and deadlines.

How long do you have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Colorado?

You usually have three years from the date of the crash to file a pedestrian lawsuit in Colorado. A crash between a car and a person on foot counts as a motor vehicle claim under C.R.S. § 13-80-101. That is longer than the two-year limit on most other injury claims — but the clock still runs out.

If the crash caused a death, the family usually has two years to file a wrongful death claim. Deadlines can change in special cases, like an injured child or a driver who fled. So it is smart to confirm your exact deadline early.

Injured children get more time. Under C.R.S. § 13-81-103, Colorado’s three-year clock generally does not start running until the injured child turns 18. So a child hurt as a pedestrian usually has until their 21st birthday to sue — though a parent or guardian who is formally appointed to act for the child can start the clock earlier. Because this rule has real exceptions, it is worth confirming the exact deadline with a lawyer rather than assuming.

Watch out: the 182-day government deadline can come first

Did an RTD bus, a City of Denver vehicle, or a dangerous intersection or signal play a part? Then a much shorter clock applies. Under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, you must give written notice within 182 days of finding out about the injury. Miss it, and your claim is dead — no matter how much of the three-year window is left. So many Denver pedestrian crashes involve intersection design or a transit vehicle that this deadline is easy to miss and costly to lose.

Why do you need a pedestrian accident lawyer in Denver?

A lawyer levels the field against insurers that are built to pay as little as possible. In pedestrian cases, that field is tilted from the start. The driver has a police report, an insurer, and often the only other account of what happened. The injured pedestrian may be in the hospital.

• Insurance companies guard their profits, often by fighting fault or playing down clear injuries.
• Adjusters may push you toward a fast, low settlement before anyone knows how bad a brain or spine injury really is.
• When a City vehicle, RTD bus, or dangerous intersection is involved, public and private policies overlap and the strict 182-day deadline makes the claim much harder.

Opponent playbook

Insurers often shift blame onto the person on foot. They may claim you jaywalked, darted out, or were looking at your phone. Under Colorado’s 50% bar rule, pushing even part of the blame onto you cuts your payment, and 50% or more wipes it out. So this is where the fight usually happens. A lawyer counters by showing your crosswalk right-of-way, pulling the signal-timing data, and locking down witness accounts and nearby security video. That video is often erased in days, so acting fast can save the proof that clears you.

What does the pedestrian accident claim process look like?

Most claims follow the same path: a free consultation, an investigation, a demand and negotiation, and — if the insurer will not be fair — a lawsuit in Denver District Court.

1. Free consultation and case review — we look at the crash, your injuries, and every source of coverage, including the driver’s policy and any of your own uninsured or underinsured driver coverage.
2. Investigation and evidence — we gather the DR 3447 report, medical records, scene and signal evidence, video, and witness statements.
3. Demand and negotiation — we send a documented demand and negotiate with the insurer.
4. Settlement or trial — if talks stall, we file suit in the Second Judicial District (Denver District Court, 1437 Bannock St) and get ready for trial.

How long this takes depends on how serious the injuries are and on the court’s schedule.

How do you choose the right Denver pedestrian accident lawyer?

Look for real experience with serious motor vehicle and pedestrian cases, knowledge of Denver courts and insurers, clear communication, and true trial readiness — not marketing slogans.

• Does the firm have a relevant experience?

For more than 20 years, Levine Law has represented injured people across the Denver metro — in pedestrian, car, and motorcycle crashes as well as catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death claims. Its results include a $925,000 and $1.3 million settlements for two cases of pedestrians struck by a red-light runner and a $770,000 verdict for injuries from a vehicle crash (see case results; past results do not guarantee future outcomes). A track record with cases like yours matters far more than advertising.

• Does the firm have local knowledge? 

Choose a lawyer who knows how cases move through Denver District Court (Colorado’s Second Judicial District) and how Front Range insurers work. Levine Law is based in Denver’s Cherry Creek area. Founding partner Jordan S. Levine helped set Colorado law on holding insurers accountable in Crowell v. ICAO — the same insurer accountability that decides many pedestrian claims.

• Is the firm trial ready?

The strongest settlements often come when the insurer knows your lawyer is ready to try the case. Levine Law’s attorneys hold an AV Preeminent rating — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer rating for a lawyer’s legal ability and ethical standards — and have been recognized by Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers (these recognitions reflect each group’s own selection criteria).

• Is the firm transparent in their fees?

Levine Law works on a contingency, “No Win, No Fee” basis — no attorney’s fee unless the firm recovers for you — and consultations are free. Ask any lawyer to explain, in writing, how fees and costs come out of a recovery.

Client testimonials

Levine Law’s clients often describe steady communication and close attention after a serious crash.

“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

You can read more verified reviews on our Levine Law Reviews page.

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

Case results that reflect real experience

When a vehicle hits someone on foot, the body has nothing to absorb the blow. Levine Law has recovered for a pedestrian in exactly that position, along with others hurt by drivers who ignored the right of way:

• $925,000 settlement — a pedestrian crossing the street was hit by a driver who ran a red light. The impact broke both of the client’s legs and led to a week in the hospital.
• $1.3 million settlement — a driver ran a red light and struck the client, breaking his leg.

More outcomes are listed on our Cases & Verdicts page.

Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every case is decided on its own facts.

Areas served

Levine Law represents pedestrian accident victims throughout the Denver metro and Front Range, including:

• Lakewood
• Glendale
• Boulder
• Aurora
• Colorado Springs
• Fort Collins
• Loveland

We also handle related cases, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, and other personal injury claims across the Denver metro.

Local resources

Hospitals & Emergency Care in Denver

• Denver Health Medical Center — the only Level I trauma center in the City of Denver; 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204
• Saint Joseph Hospital — 1375 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
• HCA HealthONE Rose Medical Center — 4567 E 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80220
• HCA HealthONE Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center — 1719 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

Crash reports & agencies

• Colorado DMV — Crash Records — request your Colorado Traffic Crash Report (DR 3447). Denver Police Records line: 720-913-6029
• Colorado DMV — Report a Crash
• Denver Vision Zero — Crash Data Dashboard

Courts

• Denver District Court (Second Judicial District) — City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80202

Disclaimer: We provide these resources for convenience only; we do not endorse or profit from them.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Colorado?

You usually have three years from the crash date, because a crash between a car and a person on foot is a motor vehicle claim under C.R.S. § 13-80-101. If an RTD bus or a City of Denver vehicle was involved, written notice is due within 182 days, so your real deadline can be far shorter.

What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk in Denver?

You may still recover. Under Colorado’s blame-splitting rule (C.R.S. § 13-21-111), you can recover if you are 49% or less at fault, with your payment cut by your share. Drivers still must use reasonable care, and insurers often overstate a pedestrian’s fault on roads like Federal Boulevard.

Who pays if the driver who hit me had no insurance?

Your own uninsured or underinsured driver coverage may apply. Other parties — an employer or a public agency like RTD — may share the blame too. Colorado requires drivers to carry basic coverage, but many do not. Finding every source of coverage early is so important after a Denver pedestrian crash that it is worth a free consultation with an attorney to map them out.

How do I get the police report for my Denver pedestrian accident?

Denver Police and the Colorado State Patrol file a Colorado Traffic Crash Report (form DR 3447) with the state. You can ask for a copy from the Denver Police Records Unit or through the Colorado DMV crash-records portal. Reports usually take several days to be ready after the crash is closed.

Does Denver’s Vision Zero program affect my case?

It can help. The City’s Vision Zero data maps the High Injury Network — roads like Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue where severe pedestrian crashes cluster. That record can support a claim that a driver was speeding or that an intersection’s design played a part in the crash.

Contact a Denver pedestrian accident lawyer today

If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle in the Denver area, Levine Law is available 24/7 to review your claim and explain your options at no cost.

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

Attorney Review Disclosure

This content has been reviewed by the attorneys at Levine Law to help ensure its accuracy and compliance with applicable Colorado law. Legal services are provided by attorneys licensed to practice in the State of Colorado.

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

Other Cases We Take On

Beyond pedestrian accidents, Levine Law helps injured Coloradans across a range of practice areas:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Uber & Lyft / Rideshare Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Slip & Fall Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Catastrophic Injury

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; every case is evaluated on its own facts. This content has been prepared for review by Colorado-licensed attorneys at Levine Law.