How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Denver?
Most Denver personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Legal fees typically range from 33% to 40% of your settlement or court award, and you only pay if your case wins.
Contingency fees allow accident victims to access quality legal representation without financial barriers. Your attorney covers case expenses like medical record requests, expert witnesses, and court filings. If your case doesn't result in compensation, you owe nothing for attorney fees.
Denver personal injury lawyers often provide free consultations to evaluate your case and explain fee structures before you commit.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do Denver Lawyers Handle?
Denver personal injury attorneys handle car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, dog bites, and workplace injuries. They also represent clients in wrongful death cases and product liability claims.
Motor vehicle accidents make up the largest portion of personal injury cases in Denver due to heavy traffic on I-25, I-70, and local roads. Premises liability cases are common in winter months when snow and ice create hazardous conditions.
Experienced Denver lawyers understand Colorado's specific laws, including the state's modified comparative negligence rule and damage caps for certain injury types.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Denver?
Colorado's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of injury to file most personal injury lawsuits. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is also two years from the date of death.
Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to seek compensation permanently. However, certain circumstances can pause or extend the statute of limitations, such as when the injured party is a minor or when injuries aren't immediately apparent.
Medical malpractice cases have different rules, with a two-year limit from discovery of the injury or three years from the incident, whichever comes first. Contact a Denver personal injury lawyer immediately to protect your rights.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Denver Personal Injury Case?
Colorado personal injury victims can recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). In rare cases involving extreme negligence, punitive damages may apply.
Economic damages have no legal cap and can include future medical expenses and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages are capped at approximately $642,180 for most cases as of 2024, though this amount adjusts annually for inflation.
Wrongful death cases allow recovery for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. A skilled Denver attorney will calculate the full value of your claim, including future impacts of your injuries.
How Do I Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Denver?
Look for Denver personal injury lawyers with extensive trial experience, strong settlement histories, and specific expertise in cases like yours. Check their track record, client reviews, and whether they're willing to take your case to court if needed.
The best attorneys offer free consultations, work on contingency fees, and maintain clear communication throughout your case. They should have resources to investigate thoroughly and access to medical experts who can strengthen your claim.
Avoid lawyers who guarantee specific outcomes or pressure you to sign immediately. Choose someone who takes time to understand your situation and explains the legal process clearly.
What Should I Do Immediately After an Injury in Denver?
Seek medical attention first, even if injuries seem minor. Call 911 for serious accidents and request a police report. Document the scene with photos, gather witness contact information, and avoid admitting fault.
Report the incident to relevant parties (insurance companies, property owners, employers) but limit your statements to basic facts. Keep detailed records of medical treatment, missed work, and how injuries affect your daily life.
Contact a Denver personal injury lawyer within days of your accident. Early legal intervention helps preserve evidence, prevents insurance company tactics, and ensures you meet all legal deadlines.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial in Denver?
Most Denver personal injury cases settle out of court through negotiations between attorneys and insurance companies. Approximately 95% of personal injury cases reach settlement agreements without trial.
However, having a lawyer prepared to go to trial strengthens your negotiating position. Insurance companies offer higher settlements to attorneys with proven courtroom success because they know the lawyer will fight for fair compensation.
Trial may be necessary when insurance companies refuse reasonable settlement offers or dispute liability. Your attorney will advise whether settlement or trial serves your best interests based on the evidence and potential outcomes.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Denver?
Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries may settle within 3-6 months. Complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed fault, or multiple parties can take 1-2 years or longer to resolve.
Settlement timeline depends on factors like medical treatment completion, insurance company cooperation, and case complexity. You shouldn't settle until reaching maximum medical improvement to ensure fair compensation for all damages.
Filing a lawsuit doesn't necessarily mean your case will take longer. Sometimes the formal legal process motivates insurance companies to offer fair settlements more quickly than informal negotiations.