In a split second, a collision on I-25 or a busy Denver intersection like Alameda and Federal can transform your life into a maze of medical bills and insurance disputes. Arckey & Steele is a boutique Denver law firm that rejects the “high-volume mill” model. We’ve seen how ‘settlement mills’ treat clients like file numbers, which is why we intentionally cap our caseload. This allows us to dedicate the high-level forensic and medical resources necessary to pressure insurers who try to hide behind Colorado’s convoluted negligence statutes. We aren’t looking for the quickest exit; we’re building a case that stands up in front of a jury.
While “settlement mills” churn through thousands of files, our boutique approach allows us to dedicate the trial-ready resources necessary to secure maximum compensation. We have spent three decades proving that a personalized, attorney-led strategy consistently delivers the high-stakes results victims need to rebuild their lives after a catastrophic collision.
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A Denver car accident claim is a formal legal action taken to recover “damages” (financial compensation for losses) after a crash caused by another’s negligence. In Colorado, this includes pursuing payment for “economic” losses, such as hospital bills, and “non-economic” losses, such as physical impairment or emotional distress. This page serves as a resource for victims who need to hold negligent drivers accountable while navigating the specific filing requirements of the Denver County court system.
Unlike “settlement mills” that prioritize speed over value, Arckey & Steele focuses on the quality of your outcome. Legal representation is vital because insurance adjusters often use early “lowball” offers to exploit victims before the full extent of their injuries is known. Our boutique approach ensures you have direct access to your attorney, not a case manager, to navigate the three-year statute of limitations and complex liability disputes common in Front Range collisions.
Representation for Motor Vehicle Accidents in Colorado
Types of Denver Car Accident Claims We Handle
We provide tailored legal strategies for the specific types of accidents that occur most frequently on Colorado roadways.
Rear-End & Distracted Driving Collisions
Whether it’s a sudden stop on I-25 or a chain-reaction on I-70, rear-end shunts are rarely ‘accidental’—they are almost always the result of a driver staring at a screen instead of the road. These impacts often happen at speeds that cause deep-tissue trauma or permanent disc damage, yet insurers treat them as minor ‘fender benders.’ We analyze the crash data and phone logs to demonstrate that the other driver was at fault, ensuring your recovery covers the full scope of neurological care.
T-Bone & Intersection Accidents
Broadway and Colorado Boulevard are notorious for drivers who try to ‘stretch’ a yellow light, resulting in violent T-bone collisions. These side impacts are particularly dangerous; there is no crumple zone between your seat and the striking bumper. Our firm doesn’t just ‘review’ your file; we meticulously deconstruct the accident scene to neutralize insurance company tactics that attempt to exploit Colorado’s comparative fault rules to shift blame onto you.
Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Accidents
When a rideshare driver is involved in a crash, insurance companies often play a shell game with coverage, shifting blame between personal and commercial policies. Navigating these ‘insurance periods’ shouldn’t be your burden while you recover. We provide the high-level oversight needed to secure app data and GPS records—technology-based evidence essential to compelling these rideshare giants to honor their liability commitments.
Multi-Vehicle & Highway Pileups
Don’t let an insurance company blame the weather for a crash caused by another driver’s reckless speed or bald tires. Multi-vehicle accidents on snow-slicked roads are complex, but they aren’t ‘no-fault’ events. At Arckey & Steele, we deconstruct the crash to prove where the negligence truly lies. We apply a high level of intensity to every investigation, ensuring that the chaos of a highway pileup doesn’t prevent you from recovering the full compensation you need for your medical bills and lost wages.
Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims
Despite state mandates, a staggering number of Colorado motorists either drive without insurance or carry only the bare minimum, which is rarely enough to cover a serious injury. When the at-fault driver’s policy is tapped out, the battle often shifts to your own insurance provider through an Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claim. At Arckey & Steele, we don’t treat your own carrier with ‘kid gloves.’ We apply the same aggressive litigation tactics to first-party claims that we use against negligent third parties, ensuring your own insurer honors the protection you’ve paid for.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
When a negligent driver flees the scene, the clock starts ticking on critical evidence. We don’t wait for a police report to tell us what happened; we proactively canvas the area for surveillance video and witnesses before memories fade or tapes are erased. Our boutique approach allows us to focus intently on these ‘unsolved’ cases, leveraging your UM/UIM policy to secure a financial recovery even when the at-fault party remains unknown. We ensure that ‘hidden’ evidence is found so your claim isn’t lost to time.
Critical Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Denver
From the second a crash occurs, insurance adjusters are looking for any reason to devalue your claim. What you do, or what you forget to do, in the heat of the moment, creates the evidentiary foundation for your recovery. To shield yourself from bad-faith tactics and preserve the true value of your case, follow these critical steps immediately after a collision.
1Prioritize Safety and Law Enforcement Documentation
Pullover and move to a safe location, but remain at the scene of the accident. In Colorado, calling 911 isn’t just about safety; it ensures an official police report is generated. This is foundational evidence that prevents the other driver from changing their story. Be factual with officers, but whatever you do, avoid making “on-the-spot” admissions of fault. Your adrenaline can often cloud your judgment and perception of the crash and the situation.
2Secure Visual and Verbal Evidence Immediately
Use your phone to document the scene – use multiple angles and vehicle positions, and if applicable, skid marks and damage to property. If there are witnesses, get their contact information directly. We often use this early evidence to launch our own private investigations, securing surveillance footage from local businesses before it is overwritten.
3Seek a Professional Medical Evaluation
Even if you feel “fine”, symptoms can often occur hours or days after an accident. Gaps in medical treatment are the #1 reason insurance companies deny claims. Seeing a doctor immediately creates a “paper trail” that can link your injuries directly to the accident, making it much harder for insurance adjusters to argue that your pain was pre-existing.
4Speak With a Lawyer
After an accident, you’ll likely receive a call from an insurance adjuster within the first 48 hours. That may sound helpful, but ultimately their goal is to often secure a recorded statement they can use against you. Before giving a statement or signing any “settlement” papers, speak with a car accident attorney to protect your rights and make sure your interests (not the insurance company’s) come first.
Maximize your recovery
Compensation for Car Accident Injuries in Denver
In Colorado, the “value” of a car accident claim isn’t determined by a calculator, but by the strength of the evidence connecting your losses to the defendant’s negligence. Compensation is designed to be “compensatory,” meaning it aims to return you to the financial and physical state you were in before the collision. Because we maintain a small caseload, Arckey & Steele can exhaustively document the granular details of your recovery—from long-term medical projections to the daily impact on your quality of life, ensuring that the insurance company’s settlement offer reflects the true magnitude of your damages rather than a generic industry average.
Economic DamagesThe specific “out-of-pocket” financial losses and expenses represent economic damages. These expenses include any current and future medical bills (including emergency room costs or rehabilitation) and lost wages if you miss any time from work. For major or catastrophic injuries, we often consult with experts and life-care planners to calculate “lost earning capacity.” This ensures your claim accounts for any income that you would have earned had the accident never occurred.
Non-Economic DamagesThese damages cover the “human” cost of a crash, such as physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Colorado law (C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5) imposes statutory caps on these “subjective” awards that are adjusted periodically for inflation. Because these figures are harder to quantify, our hands-on approach is vital; we take the time to gather personal testimonies and expert psychological evaluations to give all parties a clear picture of your non-visible suffering.
Factors That Affect Claim ValueSeveral variables can shift the trajectory of your total compensation. These include the clarity of liability, the total available insurance policy limits (including UM/UIM), and Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rules. If you are found partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by that percentage. Furthermore, the severity of your injuries (specifically whether they result in permanent impairment or disfigurement) can trigger exceptions to standard damage caps, significantly increasing the potential value of your claim.
Schedule a Free Case Strategy Session
Ready to Get the Insurance Companies Off Your Back?
Don’t let a Denver insurance adjuster dictate what your recovery is worth. Put your case in the hands of a trial-ready team that knows how to neutralize their tactics and secure your financial future.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Colorado?
In Denver, CO, the clocks begins ticket the moment of impact. For most types of car accidents, C.R.S. § 13-80-101 establishes a three-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit in civil court. While it may seem you have time, the deadline acts as a hard cut-off, and if it’s missed, it permanently prevents you from seeking any financial recovery. While three years may seem generous, waiting even a few months can be fatal to your case, as evidence on Denver’s busy corridors (like traffic camera footage or witness reliability) evaporates quickly.
Furthermore, exceptions can drastically shorten your window for action. If your accident involved a government-owned vehicle, such as an RTD bus or a city maintenance truck, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA) requires a formal “Notice of Claim” to be filed within just 182 days. At Arckey & Steele, we prioritize early filing and exhaustive evidence preservation because a trial-ready case is built on the facts gathered in the first 48 hours, not the final 48 days. Avoiding the “last-minute” rush ensures that your right to compensation is fully protected against aggressive insurance company denials.
Our Process
What to Expect When Starting a Car Accident Claim with Us
Personal injury cases present unique circumstances, yet most cases progress through a standard sequence of events. Here’s what the process often looks like for our Denver clients.
1Investigating the Accident
We thoroughly investigate the events that led up to your accident, gather all police reports, witness statements, and all other required details about the accident. The first part of the investigation work establishes essential elements that will support the entire case investigation.
2Filing the Claim
We will determine both liability and damages before we create a proper claim submission, which we will send to the responsible parties and their insurance providers. We will communicate our initial demand for a fair settlement.
3Negotiating a Settlement
Many cases resolve through negotiation, but only after we understand the full value of your injuries and their effect on you and your loved ones. We don’t rush this step, especially when future care is involved.
4Litigation, If Necessary
If necessary, we will start legal proceedings through court action to obtain a judicial solution after settlement negotiations fail to produce an acceptable agreement. We conduct complete case preparation for all situations that might require court proceedings.
Critical Selection Factors
Choosing a Denver Car Accident Lawyer
Selecting legal counsel after a collision is a pivotal point that dictates your financial trajectory for years to come. In Denver’s aggressive insurance market, you aren’t just filing a claim; you are entering a high-stakes negotiation against adjusters trained to weaponize your statements and minimize your trauma. When liability is disputed, or long-term injuries like traumatic brain damage are involved, a “settlement mill” approach often leaves six figures on the table. The right advocate must possess the investigative grit to preserve digital evidence before it vanishes and the trial experience to prove the full scope of your “non-visible” damages. This choice is about ensuring the person across the table respects the true magnitude of your loss.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Arckey & Steele for Your Car Accident Case in Denver
Our goal is simple: do fewer cases, and do them exceptionally well.
Small caseloads, focused attention
We intentionally limit the number of cases so each client receives the time, focus, and resources their matter deserves.
Direct access to your attorney
When you contact our firm, you work directly with the lawyer handling your case.
Proven track record
Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a track record of results in serious injury and litigation-focused cases.
Meet Our Team
Our Trusted Denver Car Accident Attorneys
When you hire Arckey & Steele, you work directly with experienced attorneys who are personally invested in your case.
Founder & PartnerEric S. Steele
Tackles cases involving personal injury, business, and employment matters. Eric has significant experience securing meaningful recoveries for injured clients.
Brings over four decades of litigation experience and a strategic approach shaped by years of representing individuals and businesses, often in the courtroom.
For most personal injury cases, Kowalchyk Law, LLC, works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
For most personal injury cases, Kowalchyk Law, LLC, works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
For most personal injury cases, Kowalchyk Law, LLC, works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
For most personal injury cases, Kowalchyk Law, LLC, works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
Resources
Learn More About Car Accident Claims
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Areas We Serve
Representing Car Accident Victims Across Colorado
From our Denver and Broomfield offices, we provide trial-ready advocacy across the Front Range. If your injuries prevent travel, our boutique firm brings 30 years of local venue experience directly to you.
You shouldn’t have to guess about your legal rights while recovering from a crash. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills or a disputed police report, we’re here to provide the clarity you need. Reach out today for a no-obligation strategy session
