Personal Injury Home Car Accidents Wrong Way Car Crash

Colorado Springs Wrong Way Car Crash 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).
Who is liable: Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which C.R.S. 10-4-609 requires insurers to offer with every liability policy — you have it unless you rejected it in writing.
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 after a wrong-way crash?

Treat it as the most serious kind of collision from the first hour, because it usually is.

Wrong-way crashes are head-on, at combined speed, and disproportionately involve an impaired driver — which means a criminal investigation is likely to be running alongside your claim and will generate evidence you can use. Get the police report number, find out whether the driver was arrested, and check your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage early: a wrong-way driver is often uninsured, and sometimes did not survive.

Who pays if the wrong-way driver was uninsured or died in the crash?

Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which C.R.S. 10-4-609 requires insurers to offer with every liability policy — you have it unless you rejected it in writing.

It applies whether the at-fault driver had no insurance, had too little, or died in the collision. Check every policy in the household, because a resident relative's coverage may reach you too.

Advocating for People Injured by Wrong Way Drivers in Colorado Springs

In 2021, we had the highest number of traffic deaths in Colorado for nearly 20 years, as reported on Fox 21 News. Statewide, 672 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents. This is a two-year trend, as road fatalities increased in 2020, although traffic decreased by 12% with pandemic restrictions. El Paso County was the leading county in Colorado for traffic deaths in 2021.

What Makes Wrong Way Crashes So Devastating?

Wrong way collisions occur when a driver traveling in the opposite direction of traffic hits another vehicle, often head on. This can happen suddenly. Victims may have no time to react to avoid a crash or to brace for the impact. Wrong way crashes often occur at high speeds, which increases the force of impact and the severity of the injuries.

What Are Some Possible Causes of Wrong Way Collisions?

Drivers can go the wrong direction on a road for any number of reasons. Common contributing factors to wrong way crashes include:

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications
Distracted driving
Fatigued driving
Older drivers
Poorly designed ramps and highways
Poor visibility
Inadequate road signage
Reckless driving that leads to loss of control of the vehicle

What Types of Injuries Do Wrong Way Crashes Cause?

Sideswipe or head-on wrong ways accidents can cause severe, catastrophic, or fatal injuries, particularly when they occur at high speeds. Injuries frequently sustained in wrong way collisions include:

Head trauma and traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis
Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
Severe back and neck injuries
Fractured bones
Deep lacerations
Disfiguring facial injuries
Severe damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Who May Be Responsible for a Wrong Way Crash?

Driver negligence is the cause of most wrong way collisions. This includes driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting while driving, speeding, and driving recklessly, or simply becoming confused and taking the wrong ramp to enter a freeway. Negligent drivers traveling in the wrong direction against the flow of traffic can be held responsible for resulting accidents and injuries.

If lack of signage, overgrown foliage hiding signage, or poor lighting contributed to a wrong-way accident, a local municipality or state government entity may be liable for the crash. Government entities responsible for maintaining the roads have a duty to ensure they are safe.

What Compensation is Available for a Serious Wrong Way Accident?

If you have been seriously injured in a wrong-way crash that was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to seek compensation for your losses. In Colorado, injured car accident victims may pursue economic damages, such as:

Past and future medical expense
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Nursing care
Medical equipment
Lost wages or earnings
Reduced future earning capacity

Injury victims may also pursue noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life. Noneconomic damages often total more than economic damages in a personal injury claim. Our Colorado Springs car accident attorney can evaluate the details of your accident to pursue all forms of compensation.

Why Choose Us?

After a serious wrong way collision, your best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve is to have an experienced Colorado Springs wrong way car accident lawyer by your side. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we have a history of success for our clients injured in motor vehicle accidents. As a former District Attorney for multiple Colorado counties, founding attorney Timothy Bussey understands the tactics used by the other side and knows how to counter them.

We offer a free initial consultation. Call us at (719) 475-2555 to find out what we can do for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Wrong-Way Car Crashes in Colorado Springs, CO

At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we understand that if you’ve been injured in a wrong-way car crash in Colorado Springs, you likely have many questions and concerns. We’re here to provide you with the answers you need to navigate through this challenging time. Below are some of the frequently asked questions that individuals often have after being involved in a wrong-way car crash, along with our answers.

What should I do immediately after a wrong-way car crash?

Your safety is the top priority. Ensure you and others are out of harm’s way. Call 911 for medical assistance and law enforcement. Gather information from the other driver and any witnesses, and take photos of the accident scene if it’s safe to do s

Should I seek medical attention, even if my injuries seem minor?

Yes, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately, and having a medical record can be essential for your case. Your health is the utmost concern.

How soon should I contact a Colorado Springs Wrong-Way Car Crash Lawyer after the accident?

The sooner, the better. Contacting an attorney promptly ensures that important evidence is preserved, and the legal process can begin. Our team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. is ready to provide immediate assistance.

What if I can't afford an attorney?

Our law firm offers free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay legal fees unless we secure compensation for your case. Our goal is to help you get the support you need without financial stress.

What kind of compensation can I expect from a wrong-way car crash case?

Compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. The amount varies based on the circumstances of your case. Our attorneys will fight to maximize your recovery.

Can I still pursue a case if the wrong-way driver was killed in the accident?

Yes, you can still pursue a case against the at-fault driver’s estate or their insurance company. It’s important to consult with an attorney to explore your legal options.

How long does it take to resolve a wrong-way car crash case?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, negotiations, and other factors. Some cases settle quickly, while others may take longer. Our attorneys will work diligently to reach a favorable resolution as efficiently as possible.

What if the insurance company offers a settlement? Should I accept it?

It’s advisable not to accept any settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies often offer low initial settlements. We will assess the offer and negotiate on your behalf to ensure it’s fair and sufficient.

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 a wrong-way crash claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. A wrong-way crash 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 are wrong-way crashes so much worse?

Because the closing speed is the sum of both vehicles. Two cars at 55 mph meet at 110, and there is very little time to react — which is why these are disproportionately fatal.

Who is liable in a wrong-way crash?

The wrong-way driver, and often more than that driver. Impairment brings a bar or host into the claim under Colorado's dram shop statute, and an interchange with inadequate signing can bring in the road authority.

Where is a wrong-way 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 ramp design get examined?

Because wrong-way entries cluster at specific interchanges. If an off-ramp has a history of them and the signing was not upgraded, that history is part of the claim.

How is impairment established?

From the criminal investigation — the report, any blood result, and the charging decision. The civil claim proceeds on its own regardless of how the prosecution ends.

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.