{"id":371930,"date":"2016-11-15T15:13:14","date_gmt":"2016-11-15T20:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-car-accident-settlement-process-and-timeline.html"},"modified":"2019-01-16T20:04:36","modified_gmt":"2019-01-17T01:04:36","slug":"colorado-car-accident-settlement-process-and-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-car-accident-settlement-process-and-timeline.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

There may be no place in America more beautiful than Colorado: from the eastern plains to the Rocky Mountains in the west, this is one gorgeous state. It is also a great place for road trips: to ski resorts in Aspen or to catch a ballgame in Denver. But with all that driving, through exciting mountains and agonizingly endless plains, through cold icy canyon roads and urban Denver traffic, comes a higher chance of car accidents \u2013 and if you\u2019re one of the unlucky parties involved in an accident, you\u2019ll want to read up on the Colorado car accident settlement process and timeline.<\/p>\r\n

Do I Need to Report a Car Accident in Colorado?<\/h2>\r\n

In nearly every conceivable accident, yes \u2013 Colorado requires drivers to report accidents when there are any injuries<\/a> or damage to property<\/a> whatsoever. In addition, drivers are required to offer aid or arrange for transport<\/a> to a medical facility if the other driver is injured, to exchange insurance and license information with the other driver, and to stay at the scene of the accident (unless seeking medical attention) until the police have responded and completed their report.<\/p>\r\n

Colorado Car Insurance Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Colorado was, until a change in laws in 2003, one of the rare "no fault" states when it came to auto insurance claims \u2013 a person involved in a car accident filed a claim under their own policy. Now, under the newer (and more common nationally) "tort system," fault on the part of one of the drivers must be shown before insurance claims will be paid out \u2013 and the party at fault (and their insurance company) are responsible.<\/p>\r\n

Furthermore, Colorado drivers must obtain minimum amounts of liability insurance<\/a> coverage:<\/p>\r\n