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Colorado Springs Intersection Car Accident Lawyer

Written by Timothy R. Bussey · Reviewed by Benjamin Wilcox · Last updated 27 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).
Who is liable: The driver who failed to yield — and in Colorado that is decided by the right-of-way rules for that specific intersection, not by who was more badly damaged.
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.

Who is at fault in an intersection accident?

The driver who failed to yield — and in Colorado that is decided by the right-of-way rules for that specific intersection, not by who was more badly damaged.

Uncontrolled intersections, four-way stops, protected and unprotected left turns and flashing signals each have their own rule, so the first question is always what kind of intersection it was.

How do you win a left-turn accident case?

By establishing what the turning driver could see and when.

A driver turning left across traffic must yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard, so the left-turn driver starts at a disadvantage — but that disadvantage is defeated by evidence that the oncoming vehicle was speeding, ran a red, had no lights on, or was not visible. Sight-distance measurements, signal timing and event-data recorder speed are what move it.

Dangerous Intersections in Colorado Springs

Like most cities in America, Colorado Springs is home to some dangerous intersections. Briargate Parkway and Powers Boulevard, and Palmer Park Boulevard and Space Center Drive, both appear on a 2014 KRDO list of 100 dangerous Colorado Springs intersections, which ranks Woodmen Road and I-25 first (linked below under Additional Information). Sadly, there is no real way to avoid the danger, which means you may be forced to expose yourself to the hazards of an intersection every day. Those hazards, and the potential injuries, are very real.

For almost two decades, the Colorado Springs intersection car accident attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. have successfully represented motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who have been seriously injured by negligent individuals passing through our various crossroads. We understand how debilitating intersection accidents can be. If you or a loved one has been injured at an intersection, we want to help. Contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today at (719) 475-2555 and schedule a free consultation with one of our Colorado Springs car accident lawyers.

What Are Some Common Causes of Intersection Collisions?

There are countless possible reasons for intersection collisions, some more accidental than others. With regard to personal injury claims, we look to the parties involved and investigate whether there were any aggravating factors involved. Some common themes we have encountered throughout our years of practice include:

Reckless Driving: There is a reason that speed limits are posted and yield signs exist. Those that choose to ignore them do so at everyone else's peril. Speeding and recklessness top the charts when it comes to intersection accidents.
Texting While Driving: If there is one sure fire way to get into a car accident anywhere, including intersections, it is to use a phone while driving. Nothing pulls a driver's attention away quicker than a text or web search.
Driving Under the Influence: Despite a dramatic decrease in DUI related accidents throughout the country, motorists who choose to drive intoxicated remain a significant menace on the road. This is especially true at intersections, where quick judgment and safe driving play a critical role.
Intersection Issues: City managers and Department of Transportation officials also have a role to play in the number of intersection collisions each year. A poorly designed crossroad can be just as dangerous as a teenager texting while driving.

What Are the Dangers of Intersections?

When first learning to drive, you may have found yourself nervously entering intersections as slowly as possible. That kind of nervousness is understandable, as intersections are incredibly dangerous, and one of the most common areas for accidents to occur in. When two roads cross each other, it creates a situation where there are multiple lanes of intersecting traffic with several drivers waiting, likely impatiently, for their turn to go.

There are many things that make intersections so dangerous, but that impatience is one of the main ones. Impatient drivers are likely to speed, ignore the right of way, or become angry and become aggressive drivers. If an impatient driver is waiting for their turn, they may suddenly decide they are done waiting and zoom into the middle of the intersection, causing a high-speed collision.

Even if a driver isn’t feeling impatient and is trying to wait their turn safely, they may become confused about who has the right-of-way or inch their way into an intersection. This is a major problem with inexperienced drivers who don’t know when to stop, wait, and turn safely. High traffic intersections can be particularly confusing for drivers, making them all the more dangerous.

Intersections are also popular places to build shops and businesses, as being on a busy road guarantees you better sales. This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for the fact that these buildings need parking lots, and parking lots need entrances and exits. What was once just two roads crossing could easily become a long stretch of entry points, adding to the chaos and confusion already associated with intersections.

At the end of the day, an intersection is dangerous because it involves the crossing of two streams of traffic. Even for seasoned and defensive drivers, this can create some confusion. For distracted, intoxicated, fatigued, or inexperienced drivers, it can pure and total chaos. No matter how safely you feel you are driving, someone else could lose complete control over their vehicle, and you would still end up in an accident with them.

What Types of Accidents Happen at Intersections?

Anything can happen at an intersection. When two or more roads meet, the resulting traffic can be utter chaos, meaning that the number of accidents that can occur as a result is nearly endless. But some more common kinds of accidents you may experience at an intersection are:

Rear-end collisions: Many people call rear-end collisions “fender-benders,” which makes these accidents sound almost harmless. Unfortunately, there is nothing harmless about a high speed rear-end collision at an intersection. Drivers patiently waiting for their turn to go could suddenly be pushed into oncoming traffic, causing further trauma. Such an accident can easily cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage as well as severe injuries.
Head-on collisions: When two vehicles collide head-on, the result can be literally explosive. These kinds of accidents often happen because one driver becomes distracted and swerves out of their lane. They may also be the result of a fatigued or distracted driver as well.
Right-turn accidents: In Colorado, drivers are allowed to make right-hand turns while at a red light, unless specifically prohibited from doing so. In order for the maneuver to be legal and safe, the turning driver must have the right of way, as in a clear path, before proceeding. Unfortunately, there are many drivers who neglect to make sure that they are in the clear before starting their turn. They may also not see pedestrians in the cross-walk or bicyclists about to enter one.
Left-turn accidents: A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard, whether the turn is at a light, a stop sign, or into a side street or driveway (C.R.S. 42-4-702).
T-bone accidents: T-bone accidents are among the most common and devastating accidents that happen at intersections. When one car is driving straight through the intersection and another car from the crossing road collides with them, forming a T shape, it is considered a T-bone. They usually happen because a driver fails to yield the right of way. Unfortunately, the sides of a car are not as thick as the front or rear, meaning that the people sitting closest to the area that is struck could easily absorb a great deal of the impact force, causing catastrophic injuries.

Who has the right of way at a Colorado intersection?

It depends on how the intersection is controlled. A left-turning driver yields to oncoming traffic, a driver at a stop or yield sign yields to anyone close enough to be an immediate hazard, and at an uncontrolled intersection the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Colorado right-of-way rules at intersections. Source: C.R.S. 42-4-604, 42-4-701, 42-4-702, 42-4-703 (Colorado Revised Statutes, 2024 official publication).
Situation	Colorado rule	C.R.S.
Two cars reach an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time	The driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right	42-4-701(1)
Turning left	Yield to any oncoming vehicle in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard, at a light, a stop sign, or into an alley or driveway	42-4-702
Stop sign	Stop, then yield to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching closely enough to be an immediate hazard	42-4-703(3)
Yield sign	Slow, stop if needed, and yield. A collision after passing a yield sign without stopping is prima facie evidence of failing to yield	42-4-703(4)
Green light	You may go straight or turn, but must yield to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully in the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk	42-4-604(1)(a)(I)
Steady yellow	A warning that the green movement is ending or a red is about to show	42-4-604(1)(b)(I)
Red light	Stop. A right turn is allowed after stopping and yielding unless a sign prohibits it; a left turn only from one one-way street onto another	42-4-604(1)(c)(I)(A)-(B)

When the crash was a side impact, our T-bone accident page explains how fault is proved.

These rules sit alongside the rest of a car crash claim; our car accident page covers insurance, deadlines and damages.

Recovering the Compensation You Deserve After a Crash in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs intersection accidents are no laughing matter. We know the kind of damage that accompanies these types of wrecks, and we have witnessed the potential havoc it can bring down upon a victim's life. This is why we are thoroughly committed to helping you and your family recover the kind of damages you deserve after an accident, such as:

Emergency medical transportation and care
Extensive hospital arrangements
Prescription medication
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Wrongful death
Loss of wages

If you have been impacted in any of the aforementioned ways as the result of an intersection collision, we highly recommend contacting our firm as soon as possible. While you have the right to take legal action against those who are responsible for your injuries, your time is limited. In Colorado, a car accident claim generally must be filed within three years from the date of the accident (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); most other personal injury claims have two years. You must bring your claim within that deadline or forfeit your right to compensation. Don't let this opportunity slip past; contact our experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Colorado Springs Intersection Car Accident Attorneys - Representation You Can Count On

After a debilitating intersection accident in Colorado Springs, you may be feeling completely lost and unsure about what your future holds. If you choose to work with The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we can help you fight for the compensation that you rightfully and legally deserve. Let us help you achieve your legal goals. Call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. at (719) 475-2555 to review your case with one of our Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions for Colorado Springs Intersection Car Accident Victims

When you’ve been injured in an intersection car accident in Colorado Springs, seeking answers to your questions is crucial to navigating the legal process. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help you better understand your situation:

What Should I Do Immediately After an Intersection Car Accident?

After an accident, prioritize your safety and the safety of others. If possible, move your vehicle out of the intersection to prevent further collisions. Call 911 to report the accident and seek medical attention for any injuries. It’s also important to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and gather evidence if you can do so safely.

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Injury Claim?

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you likely have a valid injury claim. Common negligence factors in intersection accidents include running red lights, failing to yield, distracted driving, and speeding. Consulting with an attorney can help determine the strength of your claim.

What Steps Should I Take to Protect My Rights After the Accident?

To protect your rights, you should: Seek medical attention promptly and follow your doctor’s recommendations; document the accident scene by taking photos and collecting witness information; avoid providing a statement to the insurance company without legal guidance; and consult with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in an Intersection Car Accident Claim?

Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to recover damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. Your attorney will help you assess the full extent of your damages.

How Can a Colorado Springs Intersection Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

An attorney can assist you by investigating your case to gather evidence, negotiating with the insurance companies to secure fair compensation, filing a lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached, and representing your interests in court, if necessary.

Will I Have to Go to Court?

Most personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the insurance companies. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to court. Your attorney will guide you through the process and represent you in court if needed.

How long do I have to file this claim in Colorado?

Three years from the crash, because this is a tort action for bodily injury arising out of the use of a motor vehicle under C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n) — a year longer than Colorado's general tort deadline. If a city, county, district or state vehicle or roadway is involved, a far shorter clock governs first: written notice within 182 days under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), which that statute calls "a jurisdictional prerequisite" whose failure "shall forever bar any such action".

What does an intersection collision claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. An intersection collision review is free and the firm is paid a percentage of what it recovers rather than by the hour, so asking costs nothing. Call (719) 475-2555.

Why do so many serious crashes happen at intersections?

Because they are the only place vehicles cross each other's paths. Left turns across traffic and failures to yield account for most of them, and the impact is usually to the side, where a car protects its occupants least.

Where is an intersection claim filed?

In the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 — the district court serving El Paso County. Most claims settle without a court appearance; if one does not, the lawsuit is filed there and must be filed before the deadline runs.

Why does the signal timing data matter?

Because the whole dispute is usually the light. Signal phase and timing records show the cycle, and read with the vehicles' event data they establish who entered on what.

How quickly does the evidence disappear?

Within days. Camera footage is overwritten, vehicles are repaired and the scene changes. Photograph the intersection, the sightlines and the damage before anything moves.

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.