Boulder Personal Injury Lawyers

In Colorado, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident. If the case involves a motor vehicle accident, the deadline extends to three years. These rules are known as the statute of limitations. 

Missing the deadline usually means losing the right to recover compensation. Because exceptions can apply, it is important to speak with a Boulder personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to understand the exact timeframe for your situation.

Colorado follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident, as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 20% at fault, your total recovery would be reduced by 20%. 

Our attorneys carefully investigate each case to protect your rights and minimize any unfair blame placed on you.

To succeed in a personal injury case, four elements must be established:

• Duty of Care: The other party had a legal responsibility to act safely (such as a driver obeying traffic laws).
• Breach of Duty: They failed to meet that responsibility, often by acting carelessly or recklessly.
• Causation: Their actions directly caused your injury.
• Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.

Our Boulder personal injury lawyers gather evidence, work with experts, and present a clear case to show these elements on your behalf.

In Colorado, damages in a personal injury case are meant to compensate you for the losses caused by another’s negligence. These generally fall into several categories:

• Economic damages: These cover the financial costs of an injury, such as medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and any ongoing care you may need.
• Non-economic damages: These address the personal impact of an injury, including pain, emotional distress, physical limitations, and loss of enjoyment of life. While harder to measure, these damages are often the most significant for victims and their families.
• Wrongful death damages: When a loved one loses their life in an accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and the emotional impact of the death.
• Punitive damages: In rare cases where the at-fault party’s behavior was especially reckless or intentional, Colorado law allows for punitive damages. These are not designed to compensate losses but to punish wrongful conduct and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Every case is unique. Our Boulder personal injury lawyers take the time to understand the full impact of your injury and pursue every form of compensation available under the law.

Every case is different. Some claims are resolved in a few weeks, while others require more time depending on the facts, the injuries involved, and the willingness of the insurance company to make a fair offer. During your free consultation, our attorneys will give you a better idea of the expected timeline for your specific case.

Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement. However, our attorneys prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough preparation gives us stronger negotiating power and ensures we are ready to take your case in court if needed. Our reputation as experienced trial lawyers often helps encourage fairer, faster settlements.

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront costs. Our fee is collected only if we successfully recover compensation for you. This allows you to focus on your health and recovery without worrying about legal bills.

Insurance companies often try to limit or deny claims. Having an experienced attorney on your side levels the playing field. Our Boulder personal injury lawyers know the tactics insurers use and how to counter them. We manage the legal process, protect your rights, and position you for the best possible outcome, giving you the space to focus on getting better.

If you’ve been in an accident, your first step should always be to seek medical care. Even if you feel okay at first, some serious injuries take hours or even days to show symptoms. A timely medical evaluation protects both your health and your legal claim by documenting your injuries right away.

Once you are under medical care, there are other important steps you can take to strengthen your case and protect your rights:

• Hire a lawyer: The sooner you involve an experienced personal injury attorney, the better protected you are against insurance tactics designed to minimize your claim. Your lawyer can handle communications, gather evidence, and guide you through the process from the very beginning.
• Keep all medical appointments and follow treatment plans: Gaps in treatment can harm both your recovery and your case. Consistently attending doctor visits, therapy sessions, or rehabilitation shows you are taking your recovery seriously and creates a clear record of your injuries.
• Document your recovery: Keeping a written or video journal of your pain levels, limitations, and progress can be powerful evidence. It helps illustrate the day-to-day impact of your injuries in a way that medical records alone cannot.
• Save evidence and paperwork: Hold onto accident reports, medical bills, photos, and any correspondence from insurance companies. These documents help your attorney build a stronger claim.

Taking these steps, in addition to focusing on your health, gives your attorney the tools needed to pursue the compensation available to you under Colorado law.

Yes. Personal injury cases are not just about compensation—they also hold negligent parties accountable and can prevent future harm. Whether it’s exposing unsafe driving practices, highlighting hazards, or ensuring businesses follow safety rules, these cases can drive positive change that benefits everyone in the community.