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Drunk Driving Accident Personal Injury Lawyer in Colorado

Drunk driving accidents in Colorado carry both criminal and civil consequences. Colorado consistently ranks among the top states for DUI-related fatalities. Civil claims often include punitive damages because drunk driving is willful and wanton conduct. Get a free personal injury case evaluation for your drunk driving accident claim in Colorado.

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Colorado Law & Drunk Driving Accident Claims

Colorado’s DUI threshold is 0.08% BAC (0.05% for DWAI). Punitive damages are available because drunk driving is willful and wanton conduct, generally capped at the amount of actual damages. The Dram Shop Act (C.R.S. § 12-47-801) allows claims against bars that overserve visibly intoxicated patrons. Social host liability may also apply.

undefined Years

Statute of Limitations

50%

Comparative Fault Bar

~$642K

Noneconomic Cap

Average Drunk Driving Accident Settlement in Colorado

Based on Colorado verdict and settlement data

Severity	Estimated Settlement Range
Low Severity	$20,000 – $50,000
Medium Severity	$75,000 – $300,000
High Severity / Catastrophic	$300,000 – $2,000,000+

These ranges are general estimates based on Colorado verdict and settlement data. Actual case values vary based on specific facts.

Category	Minor	Moderate	Severe
Medical Expenses	$5,000 – $20,000	$20,000 – $100,000	$100,000 – $400,000
Lost Wages	$2,000 – $15,000	$15,000 – $75,000	$75,000 – $300,000
Pain & Suffering	$10,000 – $30,000	$30,000 – $150,000	$150,000 – $1,000,000
Total Range	$20,000 – $65,000	$75,000 – $300,000	$300,000 – $2,000,000+

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Traumatic Brain Injury → Spinal Cord Injury → Broken Bones → Internal Bleeding → Burns → Wrongful Death → Paralysis →

Drunk Driving Accident by Injury Type

Drunk Driving Accident & Traumatic Brain Injury → Drunk Driving Accident & Spinal Cord Injury → Drunk Driving Accident & Broken Bones → Drunk Driving Accident & Internal Bleeding → Drunk Driving Accident & Burns → Drunk Driving Accident & Wrongful Death → Drunk Driving Accident & Paralysis →

Frequently Asked Questions: Drunk Driving Accident in Colorado

Yes. Colorado allows punitive damages for willful and wanton conduct, which drunk driving satisfies. Punitive damages are generally capped at the amount of actual compensatory damages but can significantly increase recovery.

The Dram Shop Act (C.R.S. § 12-47-801) allows injured parties to sue bars, restaurants, and liquor stores that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused an accident.

Settlements tend to be higher due to punitive damages and dram shop claims. Minor: $20,000–$50,000. Moderate: $75,000–$300,000. Severe/fatal: $300,000–$2,000,000+.

Yes, under the Dram Shop Act. You must prove the patron was visibly intoxicated when served and the intoxication caused the accident.

A DUI conviction is strong evidence of negligence in your civil case. It can also support a claim for punitive damages by demonstrating willful and wanton conduct.

DUI is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher (or substantially impaired). DWAI is driving with a BAC of 0.05–0.079% (impaired to the slightest degree). Both can support a civil claim.

Yes. Wrongful death cases from drunk driving often include punitive damages and dram shop claims, significantly increasing the total recovery beyond standard wrongful death settlements.

Drunk Driving Accident Claims by City

Get city-specific information about drunk driving accident claims and local settlement data across Colorado.

Other Colorado Personal Injury Case Types

🚗 Car Accident → 💜 Wrongful Death → 💨 Hit and Run →