Life can change in an instant. Pedestrians on busy streets, like Federal Boulevard and East Colfax Avenue, need to be vigilant of cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and bicycles for their own safety. Traffic-related pedestrian accidents can lead to major injuries, long-term disability, and a lifetime of medical bills. When you are involved in a pedestrian accident, a personal injury attorney, like Arckey & Steele in Denver, CO, is an invaluable legal resource that will help protect your legal rights and fight for financial compensation while you remain focused on recovery. We will fight for your best interests at every legal juncture and will fight for more than just a quick settlement.
Results for Denver Pedestrian Accident Injury Victims
There are personal injury attorneys out there that are “settlement mills” only focused on quick settlements to improve their own bottom line — not your own best interests. Arckey & Steele is a boutique personal injury law firm that is dedicated to our clients and working hard to ensure you receive maximum compensation in your case. We have more than 30 years of experience protecting the best interests of our clients in and out of the courtroom in the Denver area.
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Navigating Pedestrian Accident Claims in Denver, CO
A pedestrian accident is defined as an injury that is the result of a man, woman, or child on foot struck by a motor vehicle, a bicycle, or another moving object on the road. Victims of a pedestrian accident can take legal action to recover financial compensation, economic, and non-economic damages that can include medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. We hope that this page will serve as a legal resource and a starting point for your pedestrian accident claim in Colorado.
Many personal injury attorneys prioritize speed and quick settlements over value, which has a negative impact on your compensation. Arckey & Steele is a boutique law firm that is focused on quality over quantity, always putting your best interests first. When you are involved in a pedestrian accident, insurance companies and insurance adjusters will use every trick in the book to minimize your injuries and the compensation in your case — but a dedicated personal injury attorney can go to bat for you in the courtroom to help you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
Representation for Pedestrian Accidents in Colorado
Types of Denver Pedestrian Accident Claims We Handle
No matter how you were injured as a pedestrian on a Denver street or the circumstances of your case, Arckey & Steele will provide you with tailored legal strategies to ensure you receive the support you need.
Common Pedestrian Accidents and Collisions
There are many scenarios where a pedestrian can be injured by a negligent or inattentive driver in the Mile High City. Pedestrians can be struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk or intersection when a driver runs a red light or makes an unsafe turn. Pedestrians can be injured by inattentive drivers in busy parking lots or drivers can lose control due to a variety of reasons and hit pedestrians on the sidewalks. In addition to these common scenarios — pedestrian accidents and injuries that involve a hit and run allow victims to receive compensation via Uninsured Motorist coverage.
Negligence-Based Pedestrian Accident Claims
Most pedestrian accidents involve liability, fault or negligence — but there are specific scenarios of negligence that many pedestrian accident claims revolve around. Distracted driving claims involve drivers who are texting, using GPS navigation, or eating while behind the wheel. DUI/DUID pedestrian accidents involve intoxicated drivers who strike pedestrians and can carry criminal charges. And many pedestrian accident claims involve drivers who exceed speed limits in urban areas or residential neighborhoods and cause severe injury to pedestrians.
Pedestrian Accident Claims with Non-Driver Entities
There are additional pedestrian accident claims where the driver is not the only, or the primary party at fault. These legal cases involve claims with non-driver entities that can include property owners who have been negligent with property care that has led to a pedestrian injury in a street or on a sidewalk. Vicarious liability is a scenario in which a commercial vehicle hits a pedestrian and victims can file a claim against the parent company for negligent training or hiring practices. Government liability claims are legal cases against the city or county of Denver for poor lighting, poor road signs, poor road conditions, defective traffic lights, or other infrastructure issues that lead to a pedestrian accident and injury. The specifics involved with non-driver entity accident claims makes a personal injury attorney an even more valuable resource.
Critical Steps to Take After a Pedestrian 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.
1Move to Safety and Report the Accident
Pedestrians who have been injured by a motor vehicle or bicycle on the streets of Denver need to move to a safe location to avoid secondary injuries and remain at the scene of the accident. No matter what the extent of your injuries may be, it is vital that you call 911 to report the accident and create a document trail for your medical care and injuries. Colorado law (Statute § 42-4-1606) requires that you report any accident that results in an injury to law enforcement.
2Document the Accident Scene and Evidence
Evidence, documents, and eyewitness statements from the scene of the accident are the foundation of your pedestrian accident claim. If you are able, it is important that you use your phone and any resources available to document specific aspects of the accident that include — vehicle license plate numbers, a description of the vehicle, driver contact and insurance information, witness statements, pictures of the scene to include street signs and vehicle position, and relevant information about road conditions.
3Seek Medical Help and Get Evaluated
After a pedestrian accident, you may feel “fine” and you may not feel like you need to seek medical help — but it is important that you do. Adrenaline can disguise serious injuries, internal bleeding, or concussions that can be dangerous if not treated immediately. In addition to the medical reasons for seeing a doctor after a pedestrian accident, a gap in medical treatment after an accident is the primary reason insurance companies deny claims, and seeing a medical professional creates a paper trail that can be used to support your case.
4Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
It is a safe bet that after you are involved in a pedestrian accident, you will receive a call from an insurance adjuster or an insurance company within a few days. This may seem like a show of good faith, but in many cases this phone call is used to get a recorded statement that can be used to deny your accident claim. It is important that you consult a personal injury attorney before you provide any kind of statement or sign any kind of paperwork related to the accident.
Maximize your recovery
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Denver
When you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, the medical bills can add up quickly with ambulance rides, emergency room visits, doctor appointments, rehabilitation costs, and more. If you are involved in an accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation and damages that are put in place to help you return to the same financial and physical state you were in before the accident. The strength of the evidence in your case will help determine the compensation you receive after a pedestrian accident, and Arckey & Steele are here to help you navigate the legal process, recover damages, and improve your quality of life.
Economic DamagesEconomic damages in a pedestrian accident claim are tied directly to the financial costs you incur as a result of the accident. This can include medical expenses for doctor visits, therapy, or surgery, lost wages for time you missed at work while recovering, a loss of earning capacity tied to long-term injuries, and other out-of-pocket costs. There is no cap on economic damages for pedestrian accidents in Colorado.
Non-Economic DamagesThe non-economic damages in a pedestrian accident claim are damages that are tied to quality of life and the “human” cost of an accident. This can include long-term pain and suffering, emotional distress, traumatic stress, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Colorado implemented a new non-economic damages cap of $1.5 million in January 2025.
Punitive DamagesIn select pedestrian accident cases, victims may be able to pursue punitive damages. These damages can be pursued when the driver was extremely reckless — driving while intoxicated or at reckless high speeds — and are put in place to punish reckless drivers with criminal charges. Punitive damages are typically capped at an amount that is equal to the total compensation in the case.
Physical Impairment and DisfigurementWhen a pedestrian accident leads to long-term disability, permanent physical impairment, or disfigurement, you may be eligible for damages that go beyond non-economic damage caps. These extreme injuries can include the loss of a limb, permanent scarring, or loss of function and are in their own category that allows victims who have sustained life-altering injuries to receive additional compensation.
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How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Colorado?
The statute of limitations in a pedestrian accident claim depends on the defendant involved in the claim. When the accident involves a privately-owned car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or bike, the statute of limitations is a standard three years after the date of the accident, according to Colorado Revised Statute § 13-80-101. This statute of limitations covers physical injury and property damage due to the operation of a motor vehicle.
Beyond the standard statute of limitations in a pedestrian accident case, there are exceptions to the rule. The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA) applies when a government vehicle is involved in an accident, which reduces the statute of limitations to 182 days after the accident, when you must follow a Notice of Claim. Pedestrian accidents that result in a wrongful death allow the family two years to file a legal claim from the date of death — unless the wrongful death is due to a hit-and-run accident or vehicular homicide, where the statute of limitations is four years.
Our Process
What to Expect When Starting a Pedestrian Accident Claim with Us
Pedestrian accident cases may involve unique circumstances from case to case — yet most cases follow a similar sequence of events. Here is a closer look at the legal process in a pedestrian accident claim.
1Immediate Investigation of the Accident
When you enlist the help of Arckey & Steele in your pedestrian accident case, we will conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the accident and any evidence that has been collected. We will collect and analyze the events leading up to your accident, police reports, witness statements, medical documents, and any evidence you have recorded to establish a foundation for your case.
2Filing the Claim
With the evidence gathered, collected, and analyzed we will establish liability in your cases and calculate potential damages before we file a legal claim. We will serve as the primary point of contact with insurance companies and adjusters, and we will communicate initial demands for fair compensation.
3Negotiating a Settlement
Most civil cases and pedestrian accident claims are resolved via negotiation and never go to a jury trial. When we understand the full extent and value of your injuries, the details of your case, and how the accident has affected your family, we can negotiate on your behalf for full compensation and damage.
4Litigation When Necessary
When negotiations break down and do not provide acceptable compensation for your claim, it may be necessary to start legal proceedings with court action and get a judicial solution. Arckey & Steele is prepared to conduct complete court preparations and represent you in the Colorado court system.
Critical Selection Factors
Choosing a Denver Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Why should you choose Arckey & Steele as your personal injury attorney in Denver? Who you choose as your legal counsel in a pedestrian accident case is important. The Arckey & Steele legal team has more than 40 years of experience in personal injury law that we will put to work for you and your family in Colorado courtrooms. We know and understand how insurance companies operate in pedestrian accident claims and how they will try to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve, and we will use that knowledge to provide the legal support you need and protect your legal rights and your best interests. When you choose Arckey & Steele, you have made the right choice.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Arckey & Steele for Your Pedestrian 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 Pedestrian 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents
Yes. There are instances when a pedestrian can be liable or at fault in a pedestrian accident case. Pedestrians that “dart” into traffic, jaywalk, ignore crosswalk signals, walk where they are prohibited, or are distracted or impaired by their phone or intoxicants can be deemed at fault in their case.
No. Pedestrians do not always have the right of way in Denver — even if drivers are responsible for a high “duty of care” when behind the wheel. Pedestrians need to yield to traffic when crossing via an unmarked crosswalk or intersection.
What do you need to do when you are a pedestrian hit by a vehicle and the vehicle flees the scene? In the event of a hit and run, you can file a legal claim via Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. In effect — your own car insurance protects you even when you are a pedestrian.
Colorado has implemented Modified Comparative Negligence statutes that will impact your pedestrian accident claim. These statutes state that if you are more than 50% at fault, you are not eligible for compensation — and if you are less than 50% at fault, total compensation is reduced by that same percentage.
Resources
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Areas We Serve
Representing Pedestrian Accident Victims Across Colorado
No matter where you are from in the Denver area — from Downtown Denver to the Front Range — Arckey & Steele is ready to serve as your legal support and advocate in Colorado courtrooms. We are ready to put our 30 years of legal experience to work for you and your best interests in your case.
You shouldn’t have to guess about your legal rights while recovering from an accident or incident. 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
