Boulder Personal Injury Lawyer

For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Boulder, call (303) 465-8733

Boulder’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections

Boulder had over 1,400 vehicle collisions in 2023, injuring or killing more than 450 people. Nineteen people died in traffic crashes across Boulder County in 2024, and the city’s own crash data reveals that the top causes are speeding and left-hand turns — particularly on high-traffic arterial streets. Sixty-seven percent of severe crashes happen on arterial roads, which is why the city designated several corridors as Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) enforcement zones.

The most dangerous roads and intersections in Boulder include:

Baseline Road and Broadway — This is one of Boulder’s highest-crash intersections, with 200 crashes over the last five years. Approximately 55,000 vehicles and 4,000 pedestrians and cyclists pass through this intersection daily. A bus stops here every 15 minutes. The city is currently redesigning this intersection with protected left-turn phasing, dedicated turn lanes, and smart signals — an acknowledgment of just how dangerous it has become. Most crashes here involve pedestrians and cyclists.

28th Street (US-36 Business) — Boulder’s primary north-south commercial corridor carries heavy retail traffic with numerous driveways and turning movements. The intersection of 28th Street and Arapahoe Avenue recorded 30 crashes in 2022 alone. The city designated 28th Street as an AVIS corridor because of its history of speeding and serious crashes. The stretch near the CU Boulder campus is particularly hazardous due to pedestrian and bicycle volume.

Arapahoe Avenue (Colorado Highway 7) — A major east-west arterial connecting residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and the university. Arapahoe Avenue is part of Boulder’s Vision Zero high-risk network, where the majority of serious pedestrian and bicycle crashes occur. The intersection at Arapahoe and Foothills Parkway had 29 crashes in 2022.

Broadway (Highway 93) — Runs north-south through the heart of Boulder, connecting the Table Mesa area to downtown and the CU campus. Heavy traffic volumes near the university and downtown create constant accident risks. Highway 93 south of Boulder has been the site of fatal multi-vehicle crashes.

US-36 (Boulder to Denver) — One of Colorado’s most dangerous commuter corridors. The route carries heavy daily commuter traffic between Boulder and Denver’s metro area, and crashes on this highway frequently involve high speeds and serious injuries. The Boulder to Lyons section of US-36 winds through canyons with steep grades, limited passing opportunities, and hazards from rockslides, flooding, and high winds.

Foothills Parkway (Highway 157) — A high-speed arterial on the east side of Boulder connecting US-36 to Baseline Road. The Foothills and Valmont intersection saw 28 crashes in 2022. A fatal crash occurred in March 2025 when a driver failed to brake for stopped traffic approaching Arapahoe Avenue.

US-287 (North of Boulder/Longmont) — This highway has been the site of multiple fatal head-on collisions in Boulder County, including a double-fatal crash in January 2024 caused by excessive speed and a fatal head-on collision in February 2022 caused by icy road conditions near Yellowstone Road.

Boulder Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (303) 465-8733

Boulder’s Cycling Culture Creates Unique Accident Risks

Boulder is one of the most active cycling cities in the United States. Seven out of ten Boulder residents own a bicycle, and the city holds a Platinum-level designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community. But Boulder’s extensive cycling infrastructure also creates mixed-traffic risks that directly affect accident claims.

The numbers tell the story: although bicyclists were involved in only 6% of all crashes citywide from 2018 to 2020, they were involved in 36% of all severe crashes — roughly 18 serious bicycle injuries per year. Boulder’s Vision Zero program identified that just 7% of the city’s roads — its high-risk network — account for 56% of all bicycle collisions and 57% of all pedestrian collisions.

Several of these high-risk roads are state highways within city limits: Arapahoe Avenue (Colorado 7), Diagonal Highway (Colorado 119), Canyon Boulevard (Colorado 119), and Broadway (Colorado 93). Making safety improvements on these roads requires coordination between the city and CDOT, which sometimes means dangerous conditions persist longer than they should.

Statewide, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have increased 78% since 2015, according to the Colorado State Patrol. In 2024, there were 21 serious bodily injury or fatal crashes in Boulder, and 12 of them — more than half — involved bicyclists or pedestrians.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Boulder, your case involves unique legal issues including cyclist right-of-way laws, the three-foot safe passing requirement, and the intersection of city infrastructure decisions with state highway management. Our attorneys handle bicycle accident and pedestrian accident claims throughout Colorado.

CU Boulder Campus and Student Safety

The University of Colorado Boulder enrolls more than 35,000 students, and the campus sits at the intersection of several of the city’s most dangerous corridors — 28th Street, Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, and Baseline Road. The high concentration of young pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers creates accident risks that are fundamentally different from other Colorado cities.

Near-campus intersections including Baseline between Broadway and 30th Street, 30th Street from Colorado Avenue to Arapahoe, and Broadway between Canyon and Spruce have been identified as some of the most collision-prone areas in the city. Crash patterns peak between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. — earlier than the typical 4-7 p.m. rush hour in other Colorado cities — likely because of Boulder’s large student population traveling from campus to work or home in the afternoon.

Because CU Boulder is a state institution, accidents involving university vehicles or occurring on university property may trigger the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA), which imposes a 182-day notice requirement and caps damages. Understanding whether CGIA applies to your accident is critical — miss the 182-day deadline and you may lose your right to recover entirely.

Start looking up lawyers and don’t just go with the first one you see on Google. Don’t just go with the first one that you see on a billboard or on TV. Do some research. Look at their verdicts. Look at their history. Talk to other people. When you’re talking to other people and you’re thinking about three lawyers, ask them about the other lawyers, see what they say. I’ve told many people, that person’s a great lawyer — you’ll be in great hands. And you know what? They usually sign with me, because they go, ‘Wow, you’re actually honest.’ It’s that important to me to make sure that the person is in the right hands.

— Jason Jordan, Founding Partner, Jordan Law

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Boulder County Courts and the 20th Judicial District

Boulder County is part of Colorado’s 20th Judicial District. Personal injury lawsuits arising from accidents in Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Nederland, and unincorporated Boulder County are filed in the Boulder County Combined Court.

Boulder County Justice Center
1777 6th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (303) 441-3750

The 20th Judicial District also has a Longmont division for cases arising in the eastern part of Boulder County. The district handles civil cases in any amount, including personal injury claims, wrongful death cases, and all other tort actions.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit in Boulder County requires understanding local court procedures, discovery scheduling, and the specific judges who handle civil cases. Jordan Law’s litigation team has experience filing and trying cases across Colorado’s judicial districts, including the 20th Judicial District in Boulder County.

Statutes of Limitations for Boulder Accident Claims

Colorado law imposes strict time limits on personal injury claims. If you miss the filing deadline, you lose your right to compensation — regardless of how strong your case is.

Motor vehicle accidents: 3 years from the date of the accident (C.R.S. § 13-80-101)

General personal injury (premises liability, bicycle, pedestrian): 2 years from the date of injury (C.R.S. § 13-80-102)

Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death (C.R.S. § 13-21-204)

Government entity claims (CGIA): 182-day notice requirement before filing suit against state, county, or municipal entities — including CU Boulder, RTD, the City of Boulder, and Boulder County (C.R.S. § 24-10-109)

The 182-day CGIA deadline is especially relevant in Boulder, where accidents may involve city-maintained roads, RTD buses, university vehicles, or infrastructure design decisions by CDOT on state highways within city limits.

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Colorado Personal Injury Law: What Boulder Accident Victims Need to Know

Comparative Negligence

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. § 13-21-111). You can recover compensation as long as you are not 50% or more at fault for your accident. If you are found partially at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. This is particularly relevant in Boulder bicycle and pedestrian cases, where insurance companies frequently argue that the cyclist or pedestrian contributed to the crash.

Damage Caps Under HB 24-1472

Effective January 1, 2025, Colorado House Bill 24-1472 restructured noneconomic damage caps. For most personal injury cases, noneconomic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) are capped at approximately $1.5 million, with adjustments for inflation. The cap can be exceeded if the court finds clear and convincing evidence that a higher amount is justified. There is no cap on economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and future care costs.

Types of Compensation Available

Boulder accident victims may recover compensation for medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, property damage, and in cases of wrongful death, funeral expenses and loss of companionship. In cases involving extreme recklessness — such as drunk driving — punitive damages may also be available.

Contingency Fee Representation

Jordan Law handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We invest in the investigation, expert analysis, and litigation costs at our own expense. Consultations are always free.

Why Jordan Law for Your Boulder Accident Case

Over $550 million recovered — including a $131 million verdict. Our results demonstrate the ability to take cases the distance when insurance companies refuse to pay what a case is worth. We’ve secured $45 million, $42 million, $38.6 million, and dozens of other multi-million dollar outcomes for injury victims across Colorado.

True trial lawyers. Insurance companies track which firms actually try cases. When they see Jordan Law on a case, they know we’re prepared to go to verdict. That reputation changes how your case is valued from day one. Many of the high-volume firms you see advertising don’t try cases at all — in fact, many of them refer their litigation cases to firms like ours.

We understand Boulder’s unique accident landscape. Bicycle and pedestrian cases, CU campus incidents, CGIA claims against government entities, and crashes on state highways within city limits all require specialized knowledge that generic personal injury firms don’t have.

Approximately 85% of our litigation caseload comes from attorney referrals. Other lawyers trust us with their most complex cases. That’s the strongest endorsement any law firm can receive.

No fee unless we win. We handle Boulder accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and consultations are always free.

Our office is located at 5445 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 — approximately 40 minutes from Boulder. We also maintain a downtown Denver office and handle cases throughout Colorado, including Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction.

Boulder Police Department (non-emergency): (303) 441-3333
Boulder County Sheriff: (303) 441-4444
CU Boulder Police Department: (303) 492-6666

Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder Personal Injury Claims

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a Boulder accident?

For motor vehicle accidents in Boulder, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit under C.R.S. § 13-80-101. For other personal injury claims including bicycle, pedestrian, and premises liability cases, the deadline is two years under C.R.S. § 13-80-102. If a government entity is involved — such as the City of Boulder, CU Boulder, RTD, or CDOT — you must file a notice of claim within 182 days under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. Missing any of these deadlines means losing your right to compensation.

I was hit while riding my bicycle in Boulder. What are my legal rights?

Colorado law requires motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing. Cyclists have the same rights to the road as motor vehicles. If a driver hit you while cycling, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Boulder’s high rate of severe bicycle crashes — cyclists are involved in 36% of all severe crashes despite being only 6% of total crashes — demonstrates how dangerous Boulder’s roads can be for riders. An attorney experienced in bicycle accident claims can help you navigate the insurance process and pursue full compensation.

What if the driver who hit me in Boulder doesn’t have insurance?

Colorado has one of the highest percentages of uninsured drivers in the country. If the driver who hit you has no insurance or insufficient coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy may cover your damages. This is why we review every available insurance policy in your case — including the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, your own UM/UIM and MedPay coverage, and any applicable commercial or umbrella policies. If you’re unsure what coverage you have, we can help you understand your options during a free consultation.

Can I sue CU Boulder or the City of Boulder after an accident?

Yes, but government entity claims in Colorado are subject to the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA). The CGIA imposes a 182-day notice requirement before you can file a lawsuit and caps damages at $387,000 per person and $1,093,000 per occurrence for most government entities. However, if other non-government parties are also liable — such as a private contractor, another driver, or a vehicle manufacturer — you may recover additional compensation beyond the CGIA caps through those parties. These cases are time-sensitive and legally complex, so contacting an attorney immediately is critical.

How much is my Boulder personal injury case worth?

The value of a personal injury case depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, your lost wages, the impact on your quality of life, and the available insurance coverage. Cases involving catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or wrongful death are typically worth significantly more than soft tissue injuries. Jordan Law has recovered over $550 million for clients, with individual case results ranging from five figures to nine figures depending on the circumstances.

Do I really need a lawyer for my Boulder accident claim?

Insurance companies employ experienced adjusters and attorneys whose job is to minimize what they pay you. They may contact you quickly, ask for recorded statements, and pressure you to accept a low settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries. An attorney creates a buffer between you and the insurance company, preserves critical evidence, ensures you receive proper medical care, and negotiates from a position of strength. Jordan Law offers free consultations — you can speak with an attorney at no cost and no obligation to make an informed decision about your case.

Injured in Boulder? Call Jordan Law Today.

Whether you were hurt in a car accident on US-36, a bicycle crash at 28th and Arapahoe, or a pedestrian collision near the CU campus, we’re here to help. Call today for a free consultation.

Free Consultation — (303) 465-8733