If you’re a driver in Colorado, understanding the state’s car insurance laws is crucial. One of the most common questions asked by drivers is whether Colorado is a no-fault state for car insurance. In short, the answer is no. Colorado is a fault car accident state, which means that drivers involved in a collision must establish who is at fault and whose insurance company will be responsible for covering damages.
Colorado requires all drivers to carry at least the minimum coverage to drive in Denver and other parts of the state. When it comes to compensating you for damages in a crash, you may be unsure which insurer is responsible for paying. Do you file claims with your insurance company (in a no-fault system) or a claim against the negligent driver’s insurance (as in a fault system)? Colorado is a no-fault state so you must follow the state laws and pursue the right carrier if you get into an auto accident.
If you sustained injuries in an accident in Colorado, contact the personal injury lawyers at Front Range Injury Attorneys today to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced legal team are knowledgeable and zealous advocates for our clients and their cases. We treat our clients as people, not case files. Learn more about how we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact our Denver law firm to learn more.
Colorado is a Fault Car Accident State
In a fault car accident state like Colorado, drivers involved in an accident must establish who is at fault. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for covering the damages. If multiple drivers are at fault, each driver’s insurance company will be responsible for covering the damages based on their percentage of fault.
If you sustain injuries in a Colorado car accident, you have three potential paths to recover compensation for your losses:
- File a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company which may compensate you for damages up to the policy limits purchased by the vehicle owner.
- File a claim with your own insurance company up to your policy limits if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Sue the negligent driver in a personal injury lawsuit for compensation of your damages.
In Colorado you can recover money for losses including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. Which paths are available in your specific accident case and which path is best depends on several facts and legal considerations. You should consult with a Denver personal injury attorney to help you understand your options and the right path to take.
Colorado car insurance requirements
Under Colorado law, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to others in the event of an accident. The minimum liability insurance limits in Colorado are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
It’s important to note that liability insurance only covers damages to others and does not cover your own injuries or property damage. Liability coverage protects you from personal exposure to a judgment for harm you caused other drivers, passengers, pedestrian and others on Colorado roadways. If you do not carry enough coverage to fully compensate an injured party, you may face personal liability in excess of your policy limits.
You can purchase additional insurance coverage beyond the Colorado insurance minimum requirements. Increasing the limits for you your liability coverage will better protect you from a judgment for injuries and losses you cause other people. You may also buy coverage to protect yourself, such as collision coverage, that pays for your property damage even if you cause the car accident.
What happens if a driver does not have insurance in Colorado?
Unfortunately, you may sustain injuries in an accident caused by a driver without insurance or without enough auto insurance to fully compensate you for your damages. To protect yourself, you should purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This form of first-party coverage pays your for your losses caused by another person who lacks coverage to fully repay you. All carriers in Colorado must offer this coverage up to the liability limits you purchase. You may buy lesser coverage or waive it entirely.
What if my damages exceed policy limits?
If you’re involved in an accident and your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits, you may be able to recover the additional damages through your own insurance company. This will depend on the type of coverage you have and the specifics of your policy.
If you have underinsured motorist coverage, your own insurance company may be able to cover the additional damages up to the limits of your policy. However, it’s important to note that underinsured motorist coverage is optional in Colorado, so not all drivers will have this coverage.
If you don’t have underinsured motorist coverage and your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you may need to consider taking legal action against the at-fault driver to recover the additional damages. This can be a complex process and may require the assistance of a skilled Denver car accident attorney.
In some cases, the at-fault driver may not have enough assets to cover the damages. If this is the case, you may need to pursue other options such as garnishing the driver’s wages or filing a claim against their insurance company. Again, this can be a complex process and it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced attorney.
In conclusion, Colorado is a fault car accident state, which means that drivers involved in an accident must establish who is at fault and whose insurance company will be responsible for covering damages. Colorado drivers are required to carry liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Driving without insurance in Colorado is illegal and can result in penalties and fines. If your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you may be able to recover the additional damages through your own insurance company or by pursuing legal action. It’s important to have a solid understanding of Colorado’s car insurance laws to ensure that you’re properly protected in the event of an accident.
Colorado Personal Injury Lawyers
If you sustained injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right under Colorado law to pursue compensation for your injuries and financial losses caused by the accident. Our experienced Colorado personal injury lawyers at Front Range Injury Attorneys help clients across the state pursue insurance claims and litigation to be made whole. We represent clients in a wide range of accidents including car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall incidents, pedestrian collisions, workplace accidents and wrongful death. We help clients in all four corners of Colorado, including:
- Denver
- Arvada
- Aurora
- Boulder
- Centennial
- Colorado Springs
- Fort Collins
- Greeley
- Highlands Ranch
- Lakewood
- Littleton
- Longmont
- Parker
- Pueblo
- Thornton
- Westminster
Contact our law firm to schedule your free consultation with our attorneys. You can speak with our personal injury lawyers at no cost and no obligation to learn more about how we can help you get justice for the harm inflicted by another person’s carelessness.