Being hit by a drunk driver can leave you feeling helpless, angry, and overwhelmed. The physical pain from your injuries is only the beginning.
You’re facing mounting medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and the emotional trauma of knowing someone’s reckless decision changed your life forever.
Colorado sees thousands of drunk driving accidents every year, and many victims don’t realize they have legal rights beyond what insurance companies offer.
While the drunk driver faces criminal charges, you deserve compensation for your injuries, suffering, and financial losses.
The reality is that drunk driving accident cases are complex, involving both criminal and civil proceedings that require experienced legal representation.
Without proper legal guidance, you could accept a settlement far below what your case is worth and what your medical bills amount to, or worse, miss critical deadlines that bar you from recovering any compensation at all.
Insurance companies know that drunk driving victims are vulnerable and often try to minimize payouts, hoping you don’t understand your full legal rights.
This is why you need a skilled drunk driving accident lawyer who understands Colorado law and will fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
The right legal representation can mean the difference between struggling financially for years and getting the resources you need to rebuild your life.
Common Types of Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Colorado
Intersection Collisions
Drunk drivers frequently run red lights and stop signs, causing devastating T-bone crashes at intersections.
These accidents often result in severe injuries because the side of a vehicle provides less protection than the front or rear.
Highway Crashes
Impaired drivers on Colorado highways cause high-speed collisions that result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
Wrong-way driving incidents have increased significantly, with drunk drivers entering highways in the wrong direction.
These crashes often involve multiple vehicles and require extensive investigation to determine all liable parties.
Rear-End Collisions
Drunk drivers have slower reaction times and frequently rear-end vehicles at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic.
While these may seem like minor accidents, the force of impact can cause serious spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Insurance companies often try to minimize rear-end accidents, but Doug Allen ensures you receive compensation for all injuries.
Parking Lot Accidents
Intoxicated drivers leaving bars and restaurants cause accidents in parking lots and nearby streets.
These incidents may involve pedestrians, other vehicles, or property damage.
Dram shop liability may apply if the establishment overserved the drunk driver.
Common Injuries From Drunk Driving Accidents and Their Consequences
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The violent impact of drunk driving crashes causes brain injuries that can permanently alter your cognitive function, memory, and personality.
Mild traumatic brain injuries may not show symptoms immediately but can cause long-term problems with concentration, headaches, and emotional regulation.
Severe brain injuries require lifelong care and can prevent you from returning to work or living independently.
Medical expenses for brain injury treatment can exceed millions of dollars over a lifetime.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Drunk driving accidents frequently cause spinal cord damage that results in partial or complete paralysis.
Even incomplete spinal cord injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and the need for assistive devices.
The cost of adapting your home, vehicle, and workplace for a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming without adequate compensation.
These injuries often require multiple surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The force of drunk driving collisions causes complex fractures that may require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
Compound fractures can lead to infections, permanent disability, and chronic pain.
Many victims never regain full function in injured limbs, affecting their ability to work and enjoy life.
Recovery time for serious fractures can extend for years, causing significant lost wages.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from drunk driving accidents can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other life-threatening injuries.
These injuries may not be immediately apparent but can be fatal without prompt medical treatment.
Multiple surgeries may be required to repair internal damage, leading to extensive medical bills.
Long-term complications from internal injuries can affect your quality of life for years.
Psychological Trauma
Victims of drunk driving accidents often develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
The emotional impact of knowing someone made a conscious choice to drink and drive can compound the psychological trauma.
Mental health treatment is essential for recovery but can be expensive and time-consuming.
Many victims struggle with driving anxiety and fear that affects their daily life.
Why Drunk Driving Accident Victims Don't Get the Compensation They Deserve
Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies know that motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers often result in higher settlements due to punitive damages and clear liability.
They will try to settle your case quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs.
Adjusters may downplay the role of alcohol in the accident or claim you were partially at fault to reduce their payout.
Without an attorney, you have no leverage in negotiations and may accept a settlement that covers only a fraction of your actual damages.
Missing Deadlines and Evidence
Colorado has specific time limits for filing drunk driving accident claims that vary depending on the type of case.
Critical evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and toxicology reports can disappear if not preserved quickly.
Medical records must be obtained and organized to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and their connection to the accident.
Many car accident victims wait too long to hire an attorney and lose valuable evidence that could have increased their compensation.
Failure to Identify All Liable Parties
Drunk driving cases often involve multiple defendants beyond just the impaired driver.
Bars, restaurants, and social hosts may be liable under Colorado’s dram shop laws if they overserved the drunk driver.
The drunk driver’s employer may be responsible if the accident occurred during work hours or in a company vehicle.
Government entities may also share liability for dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage that contributed to the accident.
Inadequate Documentation of Damages
Victims often fail to properly document all their economic and non-economic damages from the accident.
Future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and diminished quality of life must be calculated by experts to ensure full compensation.
Pain and suffering damages in drunk driving cases can be substantial but require proper legal presentation to maximize recovery.
Many victims don’t realize they may be entitled to punitive damages that can significantly increase their settlement.
How Our Drunk Driving Lawyer, Who Has Won Over $15 Million For Injured Victims, Can Help You Get the Compensation You Are Entitled to
Comprehensive Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Doug Allen immediately begins investigating your drunk driving accident to preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
We obtain police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements to build a strong case proving the driver’s intoxication.
Our team reviews surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras to document the accident.
We work with accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate how the drunk driver’s impairment caused the collision.
Maximizing Punitive Damages
Colorado law allows punitive damages in drunk driving cases to punish the defendant’s reckless behavior.
Doug Allen has extensive experience presenting punitive damage claims that can multiply your total recovery.
We gather evidence of the driver’s blood alcohol content, prior drinking history, and the circumstances leading to their intoxication.
Punitive damages send a message that drunk driving will not be tolerated and provide additional compensation for your suffering.
Pursuing Dram Shop Claims
Our firm investigates whether bars, restaurants, or social hosts illegally served alcohol to the drunk driver.
Colorado’s dram shop law allows victims to recover additional compensation from establishments that overserved visibly intoxicated patrons.
We examine receipts, security footage, and witness testimony to prove the establishment violated state law.
Dram shop claims provide another source of compensation when the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance or assets.
Handling Insurance Company Negotiations
Doug Allen’s experience as a former insurance company attorney gives him unique insight into how insurers handle drunk driving claims.
We prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you during this vulnerable time.
Our firm negotiates aggressively to ensure you receive compensation for all current and future damages.
We prepare every case for trial to show insurance companies we are serious about getting you maximum compensation.
Coordinating Medical Care
Allen Accident Law helps connect you with medical specialists who understand drunk driving accident injuries.
We ensure you receive proper treatment even if you cannot pay upfront costs.
Our team works with your doctors to document your injuries and treatment needs for your claim.
We monitor your recovery to ensure all medical expenses are included in your compensation demand.
Calculating Future Damages
Drunk driving accidents often cause injuries that require lifelong medical care and affect your ability to work.
Our firm works with economic experts to calculate your future medical expenses and lost earning capacity.
We ensure your settlement accounts for inflation and covers all your future needs.
Many victims don’t realize the full financial impact of their injuries until years later when it’s too late to seek additional compensation.
Asset Investigation
Doug Allen thoroughly investigates the drunk driver’s assets to ensure maximum recovery for your damages.
We examine property ownership, business interests, and other sources of compensation beyond insurance coverage.
Our firm protects your interests if the drunk driver attempts to hide or transfer assets to avoid paying your claim.
We move quickly to place liens on assets that could be used to satisfy your judgment.
Wrongful Death Representation
If you lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, Allen Accident Law provides compassionate representation for wrongful death claims.
We help families recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional impact of their loss.
Doug Allen understands the unique challenges of wrongful death cases and fights to honor your loved one’s memory.
We pursue all available damages including loss of companionship, guidance, and support.
We Can Help Drunk Driving Accident Victims In All Of Colorado, Including:
- Denver
- Colorado Springs
- Aurora
- Fort Collins
- Lakewood
- Thornton
- Arvada
- Westminster
- Greeley
- Pueblo
Testimonials
Trusted Accident Injury Attorney in Colorado
See How Doug Allen Has Delivered Life-Changing Results for Clients in Colorado.
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A lot of experience and knowledge.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Doug Allen is a highly dedicated attorney who personally manages each case with attention to detail and integrity—never passing the buck or relying on paralegals. We've had the privilege of helping his clients get the treatment they need, and it's clear he always puts their well-being first.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Doug helped greatly in my motorcycle crashTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Allen helped me when a car turned left in front of my motorcycle. I broke my femur and Doug settled my case for $300,000. That was the at-fault drivers insurance policy limits. I can’t be more happy with Mr. Allen’s hard work and incredible recovery in my case. And I never had to go to CourtTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Douglas did a wonderful job on my truck accident case. He’s the best!!! Get him if you canTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Douglas Allen helped me out in my car accident case while I was in Colorado. A lady on her cell phone slammed into the back of my car and I suffered various injuries. Mr. Allen was on top of everything from the very beginning. He got me a great settlement and I was very happy. I highly recommend him if you are in a car accident.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was riding my motorcycle and a car crashed into me and caused serious injuries. Doug got me a very high settlement for my motorcycle crash. Much more than I expected. He also came to my house a few times to see how I was doing. I do not know many personal injury attorneys that would go above and beyond like Doug.
FAQs About Drunk Driving Accidents in Colorado
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Call 911 to report the accident and request police respond to document the scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any visible injuries if you’re able. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident occur.
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Dram shop claims against establishments that served the drunk driver must be filed within one year. Acting quickly ensures evidence is preserved and witnesses are available to support your case.
Yes, Colorado’s dram shop law allows you to sue establishments that illegally served alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons. You must prove the establishment served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated or under 21 years old. Dram shop damages are capped at approximately $290,000 but provide an additional source of compensation.
You can recover economic damages including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages may be available to punish the drunk driver’s reckless behavior. Future medical expenses and lost earning capacity must be calculated by experts.
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of the drunk driver’s intoxication, and available insurance coverage. Punitive damages in drunk driving cases can significantly increase your total recovery. This is something we will help you establish when we evaluate your case.
Most drunk driving accident cases settle out of court through negotiations. If defendants refuse reasonable settlement offers, we are prepared to take your case to trial. We prepare every case thoroughly to achieve the best possible outcome whether through settlement or trial.
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may provide additional compensation. We investigate the drunk driver’s assets including property, business interests, and other sources of recovery. Dram shop claims against bars or restaurants provide another potential source of compensation.
Simple cases with clear liability may settle within several months. Complex cases involving severe injuries or multiple defendants may take one to two years. We move as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive maximum compensation.
Police reports documenting the driver’s intoxication and field sobriety tests. Blood alcohol test results and toxicology reports from the hospital or jail. Witness statements from people who saw the accident or the driver before the crash. Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or nearby businesses. Medical records documenting all injuries caused by the accident.
Yes, civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases. You can win a civil lawsuit even if the driver wasn’t convicted of criminal charges. Evidence of impairment such as erratic driving or the smell of alcohol supports your civil claim.
Take Action Now to Get the Compensation You Deserve
Every day you wait gives insurance companies more time to build defenses against your claim and allows critical evidence to disappear.
The drunk driver’s insurance company is already working to minimize your compensation and may try to contact you directly to obtain statements that could harm your case.
Doug Allen has recovered over $15 million for accident victims and knows exactly how to maximize compensation in drunk driving cases where punitive damages and multiple liable parties can dramatically increase your recovery.
With over 32 years of experience fighting insurance companies and a track record of settling 99% of cases without trial, Doug provides the expertise and personal attention your case deserves.
Don’t let a drunk driver’s reckless decision destroy your financial future when experienced legal representation can secure the compensation you need for recovery.
Call Doug Allen immediately at (970) 232-0774 for your free consultation to discuss your legal options and learn how we can help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.