Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyer

Fort Collins Car Accident Statistics

Fort Collins is the fourth most populous city in Colorado, with a population of approximately 170,000 residents. Located in Larimer County along the northern Front Range corridor, the city sits at the intersection of Interstate 25 and US Highway 287, two of the most heavily traveled roadways in the state. With Colorado State University adding over 34,000 students to the local population each academic year, Fort Collins sees substantial traffic volume across its road network.

According to City of Fort Collins data, the city averages just over 3,000 reported roadway crashes annually, with approximately 300 involving an injury or fatality. The percentage of crashes resulting in serious injuries or deaths has increased in recent years, even as overall crash numbers have seen a slight decline. Larimer County recorded 35 traffic fatalities in 2024, a 19 percent decrease from the prior year, though the county remains among the top areas in Colorado for traffic-related deaths.

The city's High Injury Network, identified through the Vision Zero Action Plan adopted in 2023, accounts for just 8 percent of Fort Collins roads but is responsible for 63 percent of all fatal and serious injury crashes. Bicycle, pedestrian, right-angle, approach-turn, and rear-end crashes make up over 70 percent of these severe collisions.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Fort Collins

Fort Collins' road network includes several high-traffic corridors and intersections with documented histories of serious crashes:

• College Avenue (US-287): The primary north-south arterial through Fort Collins, College Avenue carries traffic volumes approaching 30,000 vehicles per day through the city. With 130 access points along North College Avenue alone and heavy commercial activity, this corridor is one of the most crash-prone roadways in the city. The intersection of College Avenue and Drake Road ranks as the most dangerous intersection in Fort Collins based on excess expected crash cost, according to the city's Annual Roadway Safety Report.

• Interstate 25: The I-25 corridor through Northern Colorado is known for frequent and severe collisions. A seven-mile stretch of I-25 in the Mead-Berthoud area south of Fort Collins recorded over 1,100 crashes in a four-year period. Wrong-way collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, and high-speed rear-end crashes are common along this corridor, particularly during adverse weather conditions and peak commuting hours.

• Harmony Road: One of Fort Collins' busiest east-west corridors, Harmony Road is prone to severe rear-end collisions, which account for 38 percent of all crashes in the city. The intersections of Harmony Road and Lemay Avenue (carrying up to 48,940 vehicles per day) and Harmony Road and Mason Street are among the highest-risk locations in Fort Collins.

• Drake Road: Drake Road intersects with multiple high-traffic arterials. The intersection at Lemay Avenue and Drake Road, located in a heavily commercial area, averages over 30 crashes per year, with approximately one-third resulting in injury or fatality.

• Mulberry Street (SH-14): State Highway 14 runs east-west through Fort Collins as Mulberry Street, connecting I-25 to the city center. This corridor has been identified as a speed enforcement priority, and the city has deployed red-light and speed cameras along the Mulberry corridor between Taft Hill Road and 12th Street to address persistent safety concerns.

• Taft Hill Road and Shields Street: Both Taft Hill Road and Shields Street have been identified as high-priority corridors in Fort Collins' Vision Zero Action Plan. Community members have reported concerns about speeding, turning conflicts, long signal wait times, and inadequate bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure along these routes, including narrow bike lanes and missing sidewalks.

Colorado State University and Campus-Area Traffic

Colorado State University is located in the heart of Fort Collins, and with total enrollment exceeding 34,000 students as of fall 2025, the university has a significant impact on local traffic patterns. The influx of students, faculty, and staff during the academic year creates heavy congestion on surrounding roads, particularly along College Avenue, Shields Street, and Lake Street.

The campus area presents unique safety challenges. CSU has earned a Platinum designation from the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly University, reflecting the high volume of cyclists on and around campus. While the university enforces a 20 mph speed limit on campus streets and maintains dismount-and-walk zones in the pedestrian core during weekday business hours, the surrounding city streets do not have the same protections. The mixing of vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, and e-scooter traffic on roads adjacent to campus contributes to a higher rate of collisions, particularly at intersections along College Avenue near the university.

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident or pedestrian accident near CSU or anywhere in Fort Collins, our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Fort Collins Car Accidents

Our attorneys have represented Fort Collins car accident victims injured in crashes caused by a wide range of negligent driving behaviors, including:

• Distracted driving: Texting, phone use, and other in-cabin distractions are a leading cause of crashes on Fort Collins roads and along I-25. Colorado State Patrol has attributed major I-25 pileups near Fort Collins to distracted driving.

• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases crash severity. The city has installed speed cameras along the Mulberry Street corridor and other high-risk areas to address chronic speeding.

• Drunk and impaired driving: The proximity of CSU and the active restaurant and bar scene along College Avenue and in Old Town Fort Collins contribute to impaired driving incidents, particularly on weekend evenings.

• Rear-end collisions: The most common crash type in Fort Collins, accounting for 38 percent of all accidents citywide. These crashes are especially frequent along congested corridors like Harmony Road and College Avenue.

• Failure to yield and red-light running: Right-angle and approach-turn crashes at busy intersections are among the most severe crash types in Fort Collins.

• Adverse weather conditions: Snow, ice, and high winds along the Northern Colorado Front Range contribute to hazardous driving conditions, particularly on I-25 and open stretches of US-287 north of the city.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Fort Collins

If you have been involved in a car accident in Fort Collins, taking the right steps immediately after the crash can protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention: Get medical care immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, may not present symptoms right away. Prompt medical treatment also creates documentation that is critical to your injury claim.

2. Call the police: Report the accident to the Fort Collins Police Services or the Larimer County Sheriff, depending on where the crash occurred. An official police report establishes key facts about the accident and is valuable evidence for your claim.

3. Document the scene: Take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect contact and insurance information from all involved parties and gather witness contact details.

4. Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Be factual in your description but avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the crash.

5. Contact a Fort Collins car accident lawyer: Before accepting any settlement offer from the at-fault driver's insurance company, consult with an experienced attorney. Insurance companies routinely offer settlements that are far less than what your claim is worth. An attorney at Anderson Hemmat can evaluate your case, handle negotiations, and pursue the full compensation you are entitled to.

Colorado Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Claim

Several Colorado laws directly impact how car accident claims are handled in Fort Collins and Larimer County:

• Modified Comparative Negligence: Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 13-21-111, Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50 percent bar. You can recover compensation only if you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. If your fault is below that threshold, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 20 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.

• Statute of Limitations: Colorado law requires that personal injury lawsuits be filed within three years of the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. It is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your claim.

• Minimum Insurance Requirements: Colorado requires all 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 full cost of serious injuries, which is why pursuing a claim through an experienced attorney is critical to recovering adequate compensation.

• At-Fault Insurance System: Colorado is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. You can file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance, file through your own insurance, or pursue a personal injury lawsuit in court.

Larimer County Court and the 8th Judicial District

Car accident lawsuits arising from crashes in Fort Collins and Larimer County are filed in the 8th Judicial District Court of Colorado. The court is located at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521. The Larimer County Justice Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Personal injury cases with claimed damages exceeding $25,000 are heard in Larimer County District Court, while claims at or below that amount may be handled by the County Court. Our attorneys are experienced with the Larimer County court system, the local rules of the 8th Judicial District, and the procedural requirements for filing personal injury cases in Fort Collins. We ensure your case is filed correctly and managed efficiently through every stage of litigation.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Fort Collins

Our experienced attorneys represent Fort Collins accident victims in a wide range of cases:

• Car Accidents: From intersection crashes on College Avenue and Harmony Road to highway collisions on I-25 and US-287, we represent car accident victims throughout Fort Collins and Larimer County.

• Truck Accidents: I-25 and US-287 carry significant commercial truck traffic through the Fort Collins area. Truck accident claims are complex and often involve multiple liable parties including the trucking company, the driver, and equipment manufacturers.

• Motorcycle Accidents: Fort Collins' busy intersections and multi-lane corridors are particularly hazardous for motorcyclists. We fight for fair compensation for motorcycle accident injuries throughout Northern Colorado.

• Pedestrian Accidents: High-traffic corridors near CSU, Old Town Fort Collins, and along College Avenue see frequent pedestrian collisions, particularly involving distracted or impaired drivers.

• Bicycle Accidents: Fort Collins is one of Colorado's most active cycling cities, and bicycle accidents are a significant concern along routes near CSU and on arterial roads with inadequate bike infrastructure.

• Hit-and-Run Accidents: When a driver flees the scene of a crash, victims face additional challenges in identifying the responsible party and recovering compensation. Our attorneys can help navigate these cases.

• Catastrophic Injuries: When accidents result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, or amputations, our attorneys pursue the maximum compensation needed for long-term care and rehabilitation.

• Wrongful Death: We provide compassionate legal representation to families who have lost loved ones in Fort Collins traffic accidents.

Contact a Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Fort Collins, Anderson Hemmat is ready to help. We offer free case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys have been representing injury victims across Colorado for over two decades, and we have the experience and resources to handle even the most complex Fort Collins car accident claims.

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

Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Fort Collins car accident lawyer. You can also visit our Fort Collins personal injury page to learn more about the full range of injury cases we handle in Northern Colorado.