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Colorado Springs Hit and Run Car Accident Lawyer

Written by Timothy R. Bussey · Reviewed by Benjamin Wilcox · Last updated 29 September 2026

Key Takeaways

Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

What should I do if I am the victim of a hit and run in Colorado Springs?

Report it to police immediately and to your own insurer the same day — both, and quickly.

Your uninsured motorist coverage is the policy that will most likely pay, and UM claims for a phantom vehicle are the ones insurers scrutinise hardest for late reporting. Write down everything you remember about the vehicle before it fades, photograph the damage and the scene, and look for cameras: doorbell, dashcam, business and traffic cameras are what actually identifies drivers, and most of them overwrite within days.

Does my claim depend on the driver being caught?

No, and this is the part worth knowing before you spend weeks waiting on the police.

Colorado requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage with every liability policy under C.R.S. 10-4-609, and unless you rejected it in writing you have it. UM is written to cover exactly this situation — a driver who cannot be identified — so the claim proceeds against your own insurer whether or not anyone is ever charged. A resident relative's policy may reach you as well.

Advocates for Clients Injured by Hit and Run Drivers in Colorado Springs

The moments after a hit and run car accident are confusing. Imagine suffering an injury in a crash and looking up to see that the car who hit you has fled the scene. This can make an already difficult situation much more complex. Victims of hit and run drivers often struggle to get the support they need after a crash as they struggle physically, emotionally and financially.

There are ways for hit and run victims to get financial compensation if the driver is never caught. However, it may become challenging to deal with insurance companies on your own when you're recovering from injuries and trying to pay your bills. The experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyers at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. know how to help you get the compensation you need after a devastating hit and run crash. Call us at (719) 475-2555 to find out how we can help you.

Colorado Hit and Run Laws

It is illegal for a driver in Colorado to leave the scene of an accident when someone has been injured. Under Colorado Statute 42-4-1601: "The driver of any vehicle directly involved in an accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident" and help the injured person.

After a car crash, the victim can go sue the insurance provider of the at-fault driver for financial compensation. Unfortunately, in a hit and run case there is no one to hold accountable for the damages and injuries suffered. Without information about the driver who fled the accident, victims may feel frustrated and unsure what to do next.

What Can You Do After a Colorado Springs Hit and Run Accident?

You should take the following steps after a hit and run:

Call law enforcement and emergency medical personnel to get the assistance you need right away.
Write down everything you remember about the vehicle and driver who left the scene.
Gather contact information from anyone who witnessed the crash.
Take photos of the scene and any parts or debris that may have been left behind by the car that left the scene.
Get the medical attention, treatment and care you need.
Contact a Colorado Springs hit and run attorney

Who pays after a hit-and-run in Colorado, and what must be reported?

Your own uninsured motorist coverage can pay your injuries, and you have it unless you rejected it in writing. Whether a driver who is never found counts as uninsured depends on your policy’s wording, so report the crash to the police and your insurer at once.

Colorado hit-and-run duties and coverage. Source: C.R.S. 42-4-1601, 42-4-1603, 42-4-1606, C.R.S. 10-4-609, 10-4-610, C.R.S. 13-80-107.5 (Colorado Revised Statutes, 2024 official publication).
Question	Colorado rule	C.R.S.
What the other driver had to do	Stop at or return to the scene, stay, and give their name, address and vehicle registration	42-4-1601(1), 42-4-1603(1)
What leaving the scene is	A class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense for an injury, a class 4 felony for serious bodily injury and a class 3 felony for a death	42-4-1601(2)
Reporting it	A driver involved in an injury crash must give immediate notice to the nearest police authority	42-4-1606(1)
Who pays your injuries	Your own uninsured motorist coverage, unless it was rejected in writing	10-4-609(1)(a)
If the driver is never identified	Section 10-4-609 does not define a hit-and-run vehicle; your policy’s definition of an uninsured motor vehicle decides it, so read it early	10-4-609
If the driver is found but cannot be served	Treated as uninsured after a reasonable attempt at service when the police report does not show the driver’s insurer and it is not otherwise known	10-4-609(6)
Damage to your car	Uninsured motorist property damage coverage requires actual contact with the other vehicle	10-4-610(1)(a)
Deadline for the UM claim	3 years after the claim accrues	13-80-107.5(1)(a)

Our uninsured motorist page explains the coverage and its deadlines in full.

Colorado Springs Hit and Run Car Accident Attorneys Obtaining Compensation for Victims

If police are able to track down and arrest the hit and run driver, the victim will have an opportunity to file a claim. A personal injury claim can be used to hold a hit and run driver accountable for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, the cost of rehabilitation and other related damages.

If the hit and run driver isn't found, a personal injury attorney can still help you get support for your losses. One way to recover damages after a hit and run crash is through the uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) clause of your auto insurance policy. Unless you put in writing that you do not want UIM protection, you probably already have it. UIM protection covers collisions involving uninsured and underinsured drivers. It also applies to accidents involving hit and run drivers.

A hit and run car accident lawyer in Colorado Springs can review your case and help you understand your options. Our Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys will do everything we can to ensure your legal rights and best interests are protected. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run crash, please call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. at (719) 475-2555 to schedule your free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Hit and Run Car Accident Victims in Colorado Springs, CO

If you’ve been injured in a hit and run car accident in Colorado Springs, you likely have many questions about your rights, the legal process, and how to seek compensation. Below, we’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions you may have. Remember that consulting with an attorney is always a wise step to get personalized guidance for your specific situation.

What should I do immediately after a hit and run accident?

After a hit and run accident, it’s essential to prioritize your safety and the safety of others. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location. Then, call 911 to report the accident and seek medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries. Finally, try to gather as much information as you can about the fleeing vehicle, such as its make, model, color, and license plate number.

What should I do if I couldn't get the fleeing vehicle's information?

If you couldn’t obtain information about the fleeing vehicle, don’t worry. The police will conduct an investigation, and your attorney can help gather evidence, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reports to aid in identifying the responsible party.

How can I recover compensation for my injuries and damages in a hit and run case?

To recover compensation, you can file a claim with your own insurance company under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if you have this coverage. Additionally, an experienced attorney can help you explore other avenues, such as pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party once identified.

Is it necessary to hire an attorney for a hit and run accident case?

While you are not required to hire an attorney, it is highly advisable. Hit and run cases can be complex, and insurance companies may offer low settlements. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your best interests in court if needed.

How long do I have to file a hit and run injury claim in Colorado Springs?

The statute of limitations for a claim against the driver after a Colorado car accident is generally three years (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); an uninsured motorist claim has its own deadline (C.R.S. 13-80-107.5). However, it’s best to consult with an attorney as specific circumstances can affect this timeframe. Acting promptly is essential, as evidence can deteriorate over time.

What will it cost me to hire an attorney for my hit and run case?

The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. offers free consultations, and many personal injury attorneys, including us, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you only pay legal fees if we secure compensation for your case. There are no upfront costs, making legal representation accessible to you.

How can I reach The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. for help with my hit and run case in Colorado Springs?

To get in touch with our experienced Colorado Springs hit and run car accident lawyers, you can call us at (719) 475-2555, or fill out our online contact form on our website. We’re here to answer your questions, offer guidance, and assist you in pursuing your injury claim. Your initial consultation is free, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

How often are hit and run drivers actually identified?

We do not publish a figure, because we have not found one we can stand behind for El Paso County — and a national percentage lifted from elsewhere would not tell you anything about your crash. What we can tell you is what changes the odds in the days after: whether an officer took a report, whether anyone got a partial plate, and whether nearby cameras were asked for footage before it was overwritten. That last one is the difference in most cases that are solved.

How long do I have to bring a hit and run injury claim?

Three years to sue under C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n), but that is not the deadline that will catch you. Your own policy's uninsured motorist terms impose their own notice and cooperation requirements, often measured in days, and missing those can end the claim long before the statute runs. Read the UM notice provision, or have someone read it, in the first week.

What does a hit and run claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. A hit and run review is free, and the firm is paid a percentage of what it recovers rather than by the hour, so the cost of asking is zero and the risk of being billed for a case that goes nowhere is zero. Call (719) 475-2555 to have it looked at.

Who pays when the driver is never identified?

Your own uninsured motorist coverage. Colorado requires insurers to offer it (C.R.S. 10-4-609), so check your declarations page before assuming there is nothing to claim.

Where is a hit-and-run claim resolved?

Often in arbitration under your own policy rather than in court. Where it does go to court in Colorado Springs, that is the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Why does the report have to be immediate?

Because uninsured motorist policies impose their own prompt-reporting conditions, and a delay is the first thing an insurer raises. It also preserves the chance of identifying the vehicle while the evidence is fresh.

How are hit-and-run drivers identified?

Debris and paint transfer, nearby business and doorbell cameras, and body-shop reports of matching damage. All of it degrades quickly.

What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?

Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.

Colorado deadlines and rules that apply to this claim
A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle	3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)
Most other personal injury claims	2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102
If you were partly at fault	Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111
Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed	El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Sources and References

Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.