Top Causes of Personal Injuries in Boulder

Boulder is known for its scenic beauty, active lifestyle, and tight-knit community, but some of the qualities that make this a special place to live can contribute to an increased risk of personal injuries.

A quick errand on Pearl Street can end in a slip and fall if store owners fail to clear icy sidewalks. A weekend on the slopes near Eldora can turn serious when another skier cuts across your path without warning. And dangerous intersections like the one at 30th and Arapahoe pose daily risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.

You may be enjoying the outdoors, commuting through town, or simply going about your day, when you’re injured because of someone else’s negligent actions or inaction. This blog explores the top causes of personal injuries in Boulder, highlighting how preventable accidents often result in serious harm when others fail to act responsibly.

Motor Vehicle Collisions in Boulder

Traffic collisions remain the top source of injury in Boulder. They impact drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. According to crash data compiled by Safe Roads USA, driver error caused more than 80% of collisions in Boulder, with distraction, tailgating, and failing to yield some of the main culprits.

Car accidents

Passenger vehicle crashes account for most of Boulder’s collisions. The most common causes were speeding, running red lights, and distracted driving. Car accidents often result in concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI), broken bones, and soft-tissue damage. Boulder’s busy corridors, such as 28th Street, Arapahoe Avenue, and Table Mesa Drive, see the highest volume of accidents.

Boulder saw 1,441 motor vehicle crashes in one recent year. These collisions resulted in more than 400 injuries, including 62 categorized as serious, and five deaths.

Truck accidents

Commercial trucks pose a serious risk to smaller vehicles. Their size and weight often lead to devastating injuries in multi-vehicle crashes. Commercial motor vehicle accidents frequently happen along routes like Broadway and CO-93, where traffic mixes local vehicles with trucks traveling through Boulder. Jackknife accidents and wide-turn collisions are not uncommon here.

Motorcycle accidents

Motorcycles account for a smaller percentage of crashes, but their riders often sustain serious injuries. Motorcycle crashes often involve inattentive drivers who fail to spot motorcycles in their mirrors or blind spots. Boulder’s traffic circles and intersections are especially hazardous for motorcyclists during peak hours between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Injuries Involving Alcohol or Impaired Driving

Alcohol-related crashes are a recurring issue in Boulder. With a large student population, a vibrant nightlife, and nearly 20 microbreweries, drunk driving and impaired driving remain a serious threat, especially during weekends and holidays.

Drunk driver accidents

Drunk drivers often fail to yield, drive at unsafe speeds, or cross center lines. These accidents can involve any vehicle type, including trucks and motorcycles. Victims often suffer long-term physical and emotional trauma. Despite increased public awareness, impaired driving continues to cause life-altering injuries in Boulder County.

Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians and Cyclists

Pedestrians and bicyclists are especially at risk when drivers behave recklessly. According to 2023 Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crash data, 90% of crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians resulted in injury—a much higher rate than other types of traffic accidents.

Pedestrian accidents

Boulder’s walkability is part of its charm, but it also puts pedestrians in harm’s way. Drivers who speed through crosswalks or fail to stop at intersections have injured dozens of pedestrians each year. Pedestrian collisions injured 39 people in one recent year. These crashes often occur on Arapahoe Avenue and near CU Boulder.

Bicycle accidents

Boulder has invested heavily in bike-friendly infrastructure, yet 77 crashes involving bicycles were reported in one recent year, injuring 64 people. Some of these crashes involved right-turn conflicts or dooring accidents when drivers opened their car doors into bike lanes. Distracted drivers and poor visibility during dusk hours also contribute to these collisions.

Other Common Personal Injury Incidents in Boulder

While motor vehicle crashes account for most personal injury cases in Boulder, several other incidents are also frequent sources of claims. These accidents often happen due to negligence in public areas, private property, or during recreational activities.

Dog bites

Dog bites can cause more than physical injuries—they may lead to infection, scarring, or even permanent disability. In Colorado, dog owners can be held strictly liable for attacks, especially if the bite occurs in a public place. Children are particularly vulnerable, and emotional trauma is common in these cases.

Ski accidents

With world-class slopes just outside city limits, skiing and snowboarding are a major part of life for many Boulder residents. But negligent skiers, faulty equipment, and poorly maintained trails can all contribute to serious injuries. When someone else’s recklessness causes a collision or fall, they may be liable for your injuries.

Slip and fall accidents

Winter weather in Boulder makes slip and fall accidents especially dangerous. Property owners must keep walkways, stairwells, and entrances reasonably safe. Failing to remove ice or snow or failing to warn of wet floors or uneven surfaces can lead to broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. Many of these falls happen in retail stores or apartment complexes.

Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury cases can involve a wide range of physical and psychological harm. Some injuries are temporary, while others result in lifelong impairment.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

TBIs are among the most severe injuries we see. They often result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, and skiing collisions. A brain injury can impact memory, speech, balance, and personality. Some symptoms may not appear immediately, which is why early medical evaluation is so important.

Spinal cord injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or total paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain. These injuries are life-altering and often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and accessibility modifications at home and work.

Wrongful death

Losing a loved one due to another person’s negligence is a tragedy no family should face. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional pain of their loss. Boulder’s growing traffic and recreational risks make these claims increasingly important.

Other common injuries include:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Deep lacerations and scarring
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, whiplash)
• Emotional distress and PTSD

Types of Damages You May Be Entitled To

When you file a personal injury claim, your damages may include:

• Medical bills and treatment costs
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)

An experienced Boulder personal injury attorney can help you identify the full scope of damages you may be entitled to under Colorado law.

Key Takeaways

• Most personal injuries in Boulder happen because of preventable human error, not unavoidable accidents.
• Motor vehicle crashes, especially rear-end and intersection collisions, are the top cause of injuries in Boulder.
• Winter conditions contribute to slips and falls, but property owners are responsible for safety.
• Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage are among the most serious and costliest injuries.
• Wrongful death claims help families recover compensation after a tragic but preventable loss.

FAQs About the Leading Causes of Personal Injury in Boulder

What is the time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Colorado?

In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. However, motor vehicle accident claims typically allow up to three years.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Colorado follows modified comparative negligence rules. If you were less than 50% at fault, you may still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, PC, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What if I was injured on someone else’s property?

You may have a premises liability claim. Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions and warning visitors of known hazards.

Can I file a claim if I was injured while skiing or snowboarding?

Yes, if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligent behavior or a resort’s failure to maintain safe conditions, you may have a viable claim.

Get Help From a Trusted Boulder Injury Law Firm

Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, PC has helped injured people in Boulder and across Colorado for over 100 combined years. Our attorneys limit their caseload so they can focus on you and your case. With more than $230 million recovered for clients, a sterling ethical reputation, and deep roots in the Boulder community, we are ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at 303-447-1144 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We are proud to support victims of injury and wrongful death throughout Boulder, Denver, and across the Front Range.