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What Happens If I’m Hit by a Drunk Driver?..

Written by Remington Fang

November 26, 2025

Being hit by a drunk driver is terrifying. What follows can be just as overwhelming. You’re dealing with injuries, bills piling up, a damaged car, time off work, and the weight of it all pressing down on you. The damage goes deeper than what shows up on a police report or hospital chart. You didn’t ask for any of this, and you shouldn’t have to carry the burden alone when someone else made the choice to get behind the wheel impaired.

At Fang Injury & Accident Lawyers Denver, we handle cases against impaired drivers and work to recover compensation for injured victims. Knowing your legal options, what steps to take after the crash, and having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can protect your rights and improve your outcome.

Drunk Driver Accidents in Denver

Drunk driving remains one of the most serious traffic safety issues in Colorado. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, July 2025 was the deadliest month so far this year for impaired driving-related crashes, with 26 lives lost across the state. To date, 124 people have died in traffic crashes involving suspected impaired drivers in Colorado in 2025 alone.

These statistics reflect an alarming trend that places every Denver driver at risk. Even with years of public education, tougher laws, and increased police enforcement, impaired driving still tears apart families and communities across Colorado. Every number in those reports represents someone real, a person whose life ended or changed forever because another driver chose to get behind the wheel drunk.

hit by a drunk driver

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?

Call 911 right away if you’re in a crash with a suspected drunk driver. Once the shock wears off, what you do in the hours and days after matters. Your actions can directly impact whether you recover full compensation and hold the driver responsible. After getting hit by a drunk driver, the steps you take, like gathering evidence and consulting an attorney, make a difference in protecting your case and your rights.

Here’s what we recommend doing right after the accident:

  • Document the scene. Take photos of all vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any injuries.
  • Get medical attention. Even if you feel okay, some injuries may not present symptoms right away.
  • Obtain the police report. This document is critical, especially if the driver is cited or arrested for DUI.
  • Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company without consulting a car accident attorney first.
  • Contact a car accident lawyer with experience handling drunk driving accidents in Colorado.

Your legal rights are best protected when you act quickly and avoid common missteps, such as accepting a low settlement offer or assuming the criminal DUI case will address your injury claim. Many victims don’t realize these cases operate independently and require separate legal action to recover full compensation.

Common Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving crashes often occur at high speeds or involve reckless maneuvers, which can lead to severe and sometimes life-altering injuries. The impaired judgment and delayed reaction time of drunk drivers make these collisions particularly dangerous and devastating. Some of the most common injuries we see in these cases include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions and long-term cognitive impairment.
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis, sometimes resulting in permanent mobility loss.
  • Broken bones and orthopedic trauma that may require surgical repair or physical therapy.
  • Internal organ damage, including injuries to the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidneys from blunt force trauma.
  • Facial injuries and disfigurement which may require reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
  • Psychological trauma, such as PTSD or anxiety following the emotional impact of the crash.

Because of the unpredictable nature of impaired driving behavior, injuries tend to be more severe than in standard vehicle collisions. Long-term care, surgeries, and rehabilitation are often necessary, leaving victims unable to work for extended periods or, in some cases, permanently disabled.

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Recoverable Damages from the Accident

Being hit by a drunk driver in Denver means you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Under Colorado law, victims can pursue a civil claim in addition to any criminal case against the impaired driver. Recoverable damages often include compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning potential.

You may also seek damages for pain and suffering, property loss, such as vehicle repairs or replacement, and emotional distress caused by the trauma of the crash. In more serious cases, victims can recover for loss of enjoyment of life, and courts may award punitive damages when the driver’s conduct was especially reckless or involved repeat offenses.

Additionally, Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 13, Section 3-21-101 allows injury victims to claim interest on damages from the date the action accrued, helping to offset the time it may take to resolve your claim. This statutory provision ensures that victims are compensated not only for their losses but also for the delay in receiving payment, which can be particularly important in complex drunk driving cases.

It’s important to keep in mind that the value of your case depends on many factors, including injury severity, available insurance coverage, and the strength of the evidence linking the defendant’s intoxication to the crash. Each case is unique, and working with an experienced attorney helps ensure you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contacting a Car Accident Attorney in Denver

If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver in Denver, don’t wait to protect your legal rights. Criminal charges against the driver won’t automatically cover your medical bills or lost income, and insurance companies may offer far less than you deserve. At Fang Injury & Accident Lawyers Denver, our Denver team has the experience to build strong car accident claims involving impaired drivers. We act fast to gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and fight for the full compensation you’re owed.

Call 720-379-6363 now to schedule a free consultation with a trusted attorney who puts your recovery first and is committed to pursuing the compensation you deserve.

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Remington W. Fang

A Colorado Springs native with a lifelong passion for standing up to bullies, Remington fights for the injured against corporations that put profit over people. Raised in a family devoted to service and healing, he brings compassion and grit to every case.

A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Arkansas School of Law, Remington has recovered millions for clients with Fang Injury & Accident Lawyers Denver. He believes no injury should silence the human spirit — and he won’t stop fighting until justice is served. See Remington in AVVO.

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. It was approved by Remington W. Fang, our Founding Partner, who brings over 10 years of experience as a personal injury attorney.