Just Had a Car Accident in Colorado? Your Immediate 5-Step Checklist

The moments immediately following a car accident are chaotic. You are likely in shock, adrenaline is flooding your system, and you may be hurt.

Stop. Take a deep breath.

What you do in the first 60 minutes after a crash can determine who pays for the damage and whether you receive the medical care you might need later. Colorado has specific laws about what you must do at the scene.

Use this emergency checklist to manage the situation right now.

Step 1: Safety First (It’s also Colorado Law)

Before you worry about vehicle damage, you must ensure everyone is safe.

• Check for injuries. Ask every passenger in your car if they are okay. Do not try to move anyone who complains of severe back or neck pain unless they are in immediate danger (like a vehicle fire).
• “Steer it, Clear it.” If no one is seriously injured and your car can still drive, Colorado’s “Move It” law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1602) requires you to move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to a safe location, like a shoulder or nearby parking lot. Staying in active traffic lanes when you could have moved is dangerous and can result in a ticket.
• Turn on hazard lights and set out flares or triangles if you have them.

Step 2: Call 911

In Colorado, you are legally required to report any accident to law enforcement if it results in:

• Any injury (even a minor one).
• Death.
• Property damage likely to exceed $1,000 (which is almost any crash in modern vehicles).

When the police arrive, be cooperative and give them the basic facts: where you were traveling, what lane you were in, and what happened. Do not speculate. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say “I don’t know.”

If police won’t come: In severe weather or busy times, dispatch might say they are on “accident alert” and won’t send an officer to minor crashes. If this happens, you must file a crash report online with the Colorado Department of Revenue as soon as possible.

Step 3: The “Silent” Investigation

While waiting for police, you need to gather your own evidence. This is often the only time this evidence will be available.

• Take Photos of EVERYTHING: Use your phone. Get wide shots of the whole scene showing traffic lights, skid marks, and weather conditions. Get close-ups of damage to ALL vehicles (not just yours).
• Exchange Info, But Say LESS: You are required to exchange names, addresses, vehicle registration, and insurance information with the other driver.
• WARNING: Do NOT discuss who was at fault. Do NOT say “I’m sorry,” even just out of politeness. Insurance adjusters can twist a simple apology into an admission of liability. Be polite, exchange the required info, and then walk away.
• Witnesses: If anyone stopped to help, get their name and phone number immediately before they leave. Independent witnesses are gold in disputed cases.

Step 4: Don’t Trust Your Adrenaline (Get Medical Care)

Adrenaline is a powerful painkiller. You might feel “fine” or just a “little shaken up” right now, but you could have sustained serious internal injuries, whiplash, or a concussion.

• If paramedics arrive, let them examine you.
• If you don’t go to the ER immediately, go to an urgent care or your primary doctor within 24 hours.
• Why? If you wait a week to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the crash. You need a medical record linking the accident to your injuries immediately.

Step 5: The Insurance Warning

You will need to notify your own insurance company that an accident occurred. However, you should be extremely cautious.

• Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company at the scene or in the days following. They are trained to ask leading questions designed to lower the value of your claim.
• Before you sign anything or accept any quick settlement offers, you need to know the full extent of your vehicle damage and your medical needs.

Need Help Right Now?

If you are still at the scene or just got home and are worried you might have said the wrong thing, don’t panic. You can get clarity on your rights immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. The other driver begged me not to call the police and just “settle it between us.” Should I? NO. Never do this. The other driver might change their story later, their insurance might be invalid, or your repairs might cost far more than you think. Always get an official police report to protect yourself.

2. What if the other driver drove off (Hit-and-Run)? Stay at the scene and call the police immediately. Write down ANYTHING you remember about the car (color, make, partial license plate). Take photos of your own damage, as it may have paint transfer from their vehicle.

3. I don’t have health insurance. Should I still go to the doctor? Yes. Your health is paramount. Furthermore, you may have “Medical Payments” (MedPay) coverage on your own auto policy that can pay for immediate treatment regardless of who was at fault.

4. How long do I have to file a claim in Colorado? For most vehicle accidents, Colorado has a three-year statute of limitations for bodily injury claims. However, waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears and memories fade. It is best to start the process immediately.