Boulder Car Accident Lawyer

Boulder Car Accident Statistics

Car accidents remain a serious public safety concern in Boulder County. According to Boulder County data, 22 people died in traffic crashes in Boulder County in 2023, and crashes injured or killed over 450 people within the City of Boulder alone that year. Approximately 29% of all traffic crashes in Boulder in 2023 resulted in injury or death. Boulder County has adopted a Vision Zero program committed to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, but significant work remains to reach that goal.

If you or a family member has been involved in a Boulder car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.

Dangerous Roads in Boulder

Boulder's roadway network includes several high-speed state highways running through an urban environment, creating conditions that contribute to serious and fatal crashes. The City of Boulder's Vision Zero program has identified a high-injury network where just 7% of all city streets account for 48% of fatal and serious injury collisions. The following roads are among the most dangerous in Boulder:

• US-36 (Denver-Boulder Turnpike): The primary commuter highway connecting Boulder to Denver carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily. This corridor has experienced multiple fatal crashes, including head-on collisions and high-speed rollovers. In May 2023, a vehicle on US-36 north of Boulder crossed into oncoming traffic and rolled several times, killing two occupants.

• 28th Street (US-36 Business): A major north-south commercial corridor through Boulder with heavy retail traffic, numerous driveways and turning movements, and frequent pedestrian and bicycle activity. The intersection of 28th Street and Arapahoe Avenue recorded 30 crashes in 2022 alone. The city has designated 28th Street as an Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) corridor due to its history of speeding and serious crashes.

• Broadway (Highway 93): Runs north-south through the heart of Boulder, connecting the Table Mesa area to downtown and the University of Colorado campus. Heavy traffic volumes near CU and downtown create frequent accident risks. Highway 93 south of Boulder has been the site of fatal multi-vehicle crashes.

• Arapahoe Avenue and Baseline Road: Major east-west arterials that connect residential neighborhoods to commercial areas and the university. Both roads are state highways within city limits and have been designated as AVIS corridors by Boulder City Council based on five years of crash, speeding, and reckless driving data. These roads carry high volumes of bicycle, pedestrian, and motor vehicle traffic.

• Foothills Parkway (Highway 157): A high-speed arterial on the east side of Boulder connecting US-36 to Baseline Road. The intersections at Foothills Parkway and Arapahoe Avenue (29 crashes in 2022) and Foothills Parkway and Valmont Road (28 crashes in 2022) are among the most dangerous in the city.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Conflicts on Boulder Roads

Boulder is one of the most active cycling cities in the United States. Seven out of ten Boulder residents own a bicycle, and the city has invested extensively in bike lanes, protected lanes, multi-use paths, and bicycle boulevards. However, Boulder's cycling culture also creates mixed-traffic risks that directly affect motor vehicle accidents.

According to City of Boulder data, most accidents between bicycles and cars occur at intersections, and 60% result from motorists failing to look for cyclists. An additional 23% of bicycle-vehicle crashes occur when a right-turning driver fails to check for cyclists in approaching bike lanes or on paths and sidewalks. These collisions affect both cyclists and drivers, and the injuries can be severe.

The high-injury road segments that account for 7% of Boulder's streets are responsible for 56% of all bicycle collisions and 57% of all pedestrian collisions recorded between 2016 and 2020. Statewide, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have increased 78% since 2015, according to the Colorado State Patrol. If you have been injured in a crash involving a bicycle or pedestrian, our attorneys handle bicycle accident and pedestrian accident claims throughout Colorado.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Boulder

Boulder traffic data consistently identifies distracted and inattentive driving as the leading cause of crashes in the city. Other frequent causes include:

• Distracted driving: Texting, phone use, and other distractions are the top cause of Boulder crashes.

• Speeding: Speed is one of the top factors in fatal and serious crashes in Boulder, prompting the city to expand automated speed enforcement on its most dangerous corridors.

• Tailgating: Following too closely is a common factor in rear-end collisions on congested Boulder roads, particularly on 28th Street and US-36.

• Running red lights and stop signs: Intersection violations are a frequent cause of T-bone and broadside collisions in Boulder.

• Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug-impaired driving contributes to serious and fatal crashes, particularly on weekends and near entertainment areas.

• Failure to yield to cyclists and pedestrians: Given the high volume of bicycle and foot traffic in Boulder, failure to yield at intersections and crosswalks is a significant cause of accidents.

If another driver caused your accident through negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. A hit-and-run accident adds additional complexity, but compensation may still be available through your own insurance policy.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Boulder

1. Seek medical attention: Get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, may not produce immediate symptoms. Medical records are also critical evidence for your claim.

2. Call the police: Report the accident to the Boulder Police Department or Boulder County Sheriff. A police report provides official documentation of the crash, identifies the parties involved, and can help establish fault.

3. Document the scene: If safe to do so, photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Collect names and contact information from witnesses.

4. Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurer promptly. However, be cautious about giving recorded statements or accepting early settlement offers without speaking to an attorney first.

5. Contact a car accident lawyer: An experienced attorney can protect your rights, handle communications with insurance companies, and help you pursue full compensation. Anderson Hemmat offers free case evaluations for Boulder car accident victims.

Colorado Car Accident Laws

Understanding Colorado law is essential for anyone pursuing a car accident claim in Boulder. Key laws that affect your case include:

• Statute of limitations: Under C.R.S. 13-80-101, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.

• Modified comparative negligence: Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. You can recover compensation only if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you share some fault, your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.

• Minimum insurance requirements: Colorado requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15). These minimums are often insufficient to cover the costs of serious accidents, which is why pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver is often necessary.

• Fault-based system: Colorado is a fault (tort) state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages to the injured parties. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance, file with your own insurer, or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

In cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, the stakes are significantly higher and having experienced legal representation is essential.

Boulder County Court System — 20th Judicial District

Car accident lawsuits arising from Boulder crashes are filed in the 20th Judicial District, which serves Boulder County. The Boulder County Combined Court is located at 1777 6th Street, Boulder, CO 80302, with an additional location at 1035 Kimbark Street in Longmont. The District Court handles civil cases including personal injury claims. Our attorneys are familiar with the 20th Judicial District's procedures, local rules, and litigation environment, giving our clients an advantage when cases proceed to court.

Contact a Boulder Car Accident Lawyer

Anderson Hemmat, LLC
Boulder Car Accident Attorneys
Serving Boulder from: 5613 DTC Parkway, Suite 700 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: (303) 782-9999

Anderson Hemmat serves Boulder car accident victims from our Greenwood Village office. Our Boulder personal injury lawyers handle all types of car accident claims in Boulder County. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Boulder car accident lawyer. Call (303) 782-9999 or complete our online free case evaluation form.