Car Accidents and TBIs: How a Colorado Lawyer Can Help You Recover

August 13, 2025

In Colorado, car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries because of the extreme forces involved when a vehicle stops suddenly or changes direction on impact. Even in crashes where the victim walks away without fractures or visible trauma, the brain can sustain microscopic tears or bleeding that only become apparent days later. National data shows that motor vehicle crashes are a top cause of TBIs requiring hospitalization, and we regularly see this reflected in our own cases across Colorado.

Our Denver TBI lawyers explain how car accident brain injury claims are proven in Colorado. This article highlights why TBIs are common after crashes, what symptoms should not be ignored, and how legal strategy protects your recovery.

Car Accidents and TBIs: How a Colorado Lawyer Can Help You Recover

TBIs After a Crash Are More Common Than You Think in Colorado

Motor vehicle crashes account for approximately 24–25% of all TBI-related hospitalizations in the United States in recent years, making them a leading cause second only to unintentional falls (about 49%). In Colorado specifically, about 5,000 people are hospitalized for TBIs annually, with approximately 1,000 deaths resulting from these injuries.

Brain injuries are one of the most frequent outcomes of Colorado car crashes, but these injuries frequently go undetected in emergency evaluations, where the focus is on broken bones or obvious trauma.

We have represented clients throughout the state who were discharged from the ER with no visible head injury, only to later struggle with pain, headaches, or memory lapses. Once symptoms appear, insurers frequently argue they are unrelated to the accident. That is why immediate documentation and legal action can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery.

For answers to your questions, call:
(303) 999-9999

Why TBI Car Accident Claims Require Legal Expertise

Brain injury claims from car accidents demand specialized legal handling because insurers understand the significant long-term costs involved. Without proper representation, victims often face pressure to accept settlements that only cover initial treatment while overlooking the specific type of brain injury and its lasting consequences.

Mild to Severe Doesn’t Mean Minor

Medical records may label an injury as mild, moderate, or severe, but in legal terms even the mildest category can be life-altering. Concussions can impair attention, reaction time, and executive function, limiting a person’s ability to return to work. Lawyers must present neuropsychological evaluations and testimony from treating providers to ensure these impacts are fully valued.

Insurers Push to Settle Low and Fast

Insurance companies often attempt to close cases quickly to avoid paying for long-term complications. Once a settlement is signed, victims cannot recover for later-emerging symptoms. That is why understanding how long a car accident settlement takes in Colorado is critical before accepting an offer.

Proving that Your Brain Injury Was Caused by a Negligent Party

In Colorado, simply having a medical diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury is not enough to win compensation. The law requires proof that another party’s negligence directly caused the injury, and this is where most cases rise or fall.

Establishing Causation Through Medical and Legal Evidence

The first step is connecting the timing of your symptoms to the crash. Emergency room notes, follow-up visits, and neuropsychological testing create a medical timeline that ties your impairment directly to the collision. We frequently work with neurologists and rehabilitation specialists to prepare detailed reports that address not only the diagnosis but also how the injury limits concentration, memory, and physical function.

Using Witnesses and Scene Evidence

Liability proof doesn’t come from medical records alone. Accident reconstruction, traffic camera footage, and eyewitness statements all matter. If you hit your head during a rollover, for example, photographs of the crushed roof or interior damage help the jury understand how the mechanics of the crash led to brain trauma.

Countering Defense Arguments

Defendants often claim TBIs were pre-existing or unrelated. In one case we handled, a client who worked in construction had a prior history of back pain but no cognitive issues. After a high-speed rear-end crash, he developed severe memory and attention problems. The insurer argued his issues were unrelated, but our team obtained co-worker and family testimony showing his cognitive decline only began after the collision. This kind of third-party evidence can be as persuasive as medical imaging in proving causation.

How Boesen Law Builds Strong TBI Cases After a Car Crash

Proving the Full Medical Impact

Our attorneys coordinate with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists to demonstrate the true scope of a client’s injury. Evidence may include neuropsychological testing, ongoing treatment notes, and imaging studies when available.

Tracking Long-Term Costs and Losses

Brain injuries affect far more than the emergency room bill. We document wage loss, reduced earning capacity, ongoing therapy, in-home care needs, and other long-term expenses. Colorado law allows recovery for future damages, and we ensure those categories are included in negotiations and at trial.

If You Suspect a Brain Injury, Get Legal Help Now

Even a mild concussion after a crash can lead to long-term cognitive and emotional difficulties. And early legal consultation ensures that medical needs are covered and that the right to full compensation is protected. Schedule a free case review to learn how Boesen Law can help you pursue recovery.

FAQs: Colorado Car Accidents and TBIs

What makes TBIs after car accidents so common in Colorado?

High-speed crashes on highways like I-25 and I-70 create sudden deceleration forces that cause the brain to move within the skull. Even without external trauma, this motion can tear tissue or cause bleeding, leading to injuries that don’t appear on initial scans.

How soon should I see a doctor after a Colorado crash if I suspect a TBI?

Immediately. Many symptoms – such as headaches, light sensitivity, or confusion – may not appear for days. Early evaluation creates a record that strengthens both your medical treatment and your legal claim.

Can I recover damages if my TBI symptoms appeared weeks after the accident?

Yes. Colorado law allows compensation as long as medical evidence and testimony connect the symptoms to the crash. Lawyers often rely on neuropsychological testing and records from family or coworkers to prove that delayed symptoms stem from the accident.

What damages are available for a TBI from a car crash?

Compensation can include medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and quality-of-life damages. Unlike workers’ compensation, personal injury lawsuits after car accidents allow recovery for pain and suffering and future costs.

How does comparative negligence affect my case in Colorado?

Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, which is why evidence and legal advocacy are critical to prevent insurers from exaggerating your responsibility.

Call (303) 999-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form