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The court will dismiss your case, and you won't be able to recover compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does the 2-year deadline apply to settling with insurance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The statute of limitations applies to filing a lawsuit, not settling with insurance. However, insurance companies often drag out negotiations. Having the ability to file suit gives you leverage in negotiations." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When does the clock start for a car accident injury?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Generally, the clock starts on the date of the accident. 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Find out the deadlines for car accidents, wrongful death, and claims against government entities.", "datePublished": "2024-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-08-29", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brad Freedberg", "url": "https://bradfreedberg.com", "jobTitle": "Personal Injury Attorney", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfreedberg", "https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/80222-co-brad-freedberg-1590498.html" ] }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bradfreedberg.com/#organization", "name": "Brad Freedberg Law", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bradfreedberg.com/logo.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://bradfreedberg.com/resources/colorado-personal-injury-statute-limitations" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".direct-answer", ".faq-answer" ] } } ] --- [Call Now ](tel:303-892-0900)Free Case Review Available 24/7 Free Consultation • No Fee Unless We Win [(303) 892-0900 ](tel:303-892-0900) [ Brad Freedberg Personal Injury Attorney ](/) [(303) 892-0900](tel:303-892-0900)[Free Consultation](/#contact) Practice Areas[Results](/#case-results)[Articles](/articles)[About Brad](/about)LocationsResources[Contact](/#contact) [Home ](/) [Resources](/blog) How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Colorado? 5 min read # How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Colorado? **Quick Answer:** In Colorado, you generally have 2 years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also 2 years from the date of death. Claims against government entities have a much shorter deadline of 182 days. Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to seek compensation forever. ![Brad Freedberg, Denver Personal Injury Attorney](/assets/brad-freedberg-attorney-VGAMgKqt.jpg) Brad Freedberg Personal Injury Attorney ## Colorado Statute of Limitations: Key Deadlines Understanding Colorado's filing deadlines is critical to protecting your right to compensation. Here are the key timeframes you need to know: ### General Personal Injury Claims: 2 Years For most personal injury cases, including: - Car accidents - Truck accidents - Motorcycle accidents - Slip and fall injuries - Premises liability You have **two years from the date of the injury** to file a lawsuit in Colorado courts. ### Wrongful Death Claims: 2 Years If a loved one died due to someone else's negligence, surviving family members have **two years from the date of death** to file a wrongful death lawsuit. ### Medical Malpractice: 2 Years (with a 3-Year Cap) Medical malpractice claims must be filed within: - **2 years** from when you discovered (or should have discovered) the injury - But no more than **3 years** from the date of the act or omission ### Claims Against Government Entities: 182 Days This is the most critical deadline. If your injury was caused by a government employee or entity (city, county, or state), you must file a **notice of claim within 182 days** of the incident. ## Exceptions to the Standard Deadlines ### The Discovery Rule In some cases, the clock doesn't start until you discover your injury. This applies when: - The injury wasn't immediately apparent - A reasonable person wouldn't have known about the injury ### Minors (Under 18) For children, the statute of limitations is "tolled" (paused) until they turn 18. They then have the standard period to file. ### Mental Incapacity If an injured person is mentally incapacitated, the deadline may be extended. ### Defendant Leaves Colorado If the at-fault party leaves Colorado, the time they're absent may not count toward the deadline. ## Why You Shouldn't Wait Even though you have time, waiting can hurt your case: - **Evidence disappears**: Surveillance footage is deleted, accident scenes change - **Witnesses forget**: Memories fade over time - **Medical records**: Gaps in treatment can weaken your case - **Insurance companies**: They become more skeptical of delayed claims ## The Bottom Line Don't gamble with your rights. If you've been injured, consult with an attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Office of Brad Freedberg, we offer free consultations and can quickly assess your timeline. **Call (303) 892-0900 today to protect your claim.** ## Frequently Asked Questions What happens if I miss the statute of limitations? If you miss the filing deadline, you typically lose your right to sue forever. The court will dismiss your case, and you won't be able to recover compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be. Does the 2-year deadline apply to settling with insurance? When does the clock start for a car accident injury? Is there a deadline for filing an insurance claim? ### Get a Free Case Evaluation Have questions about your specific situation? Brad Freedberg offers free, confidential consultations. Call now or fill out our contact form. [(303) 892-0900](tel:303-892-0900)[Contact Form](/#contact) ### Related Resources - [What to Do After an Accident](/resources/what-to-do-after-car-accident-denver) - [Wrongful Death Claims](/practice-areas/wrongful-death) - [Free Case Evaluation](/#contact) ### Free Consultation Get answers to your specific questions from an experienced Denver personal injury attorney. [(303) 892-0900](tel:303-892-0900) No fee unless we win your case ### Key Takeaways - Free consultations available - No fee unless we win - Over 30 years experience - $50M+ recovered for clients ### More Resources - [What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Denver?](/resources/what-to-do-after-car-accident-denver) - [Denver Car Accident Lawyer - No Upfront Cost | Contingency Fee Explained](/resources/denver-car-accident-lawyer-no-upfront-cost) - [Average Settlement for Rear-End Collision with Back Injury in Colorado](/resources/personal-injury-case-value-colorado) - [Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in Denver?](/resources/do-i-need-lawyer-minor-car-accident-denver) ### Brad Freedberg Personal Injury Attorney Over 30 years of dedicated experience fighting for accident victims in Denver and throughout Colorado. 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