The Most Common Car Accidents in Colorado

Colorado drivers faced nearly 100,000 crashes in 2024, leaving thousands injured and hundreds of families grieving fatal losses. Recent data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reveals that specific types of crashes occur repeatedly and in particular locations, and involve certain vehicle types.

As car accident lawyers in Denver, we handle all types of car accidents and see how often these incidents are preventable. Today, we’ll examine the latest trends in Colorado car accidents and analyze effective prevention strategies.

Rear-End Collisions Top Colorado Crash Reports

Rear-end crashes were the single most common accident type in Colorado in 2024, totaling 27,950 incidents. These accidents usually happen because someone is following too closely, glancing at a phone, or misjudging braking distances in stop-and-go traffic.

Passenger cars were involved in the vast majority of these crashes. Even at lower speeds, rear-end impacts can cause injuries like whiplash, back strains, or concussions. Defensive driving and maintaining extra space between vehicles are key prevention strategies, but we regularly witness reckless drivers causing rear-end crashes.

In fact, the latest crash data we analyzed reveals that these factors directly lead to rear-end crashes:

• Following too closely was flagged in 5,230 rear-end crashes.
• Distracted or inattentive driving contributed to 2,774 rear-end crashes.
• Speeding too fast for conditions showed up in 2,450 rear-end crashes.

When a rear-end crash happens, the consequences can reach far beyond vehicle damage. Injuries like whiplash, spinal trauma, or concussions often mean costly treatment and time away from work. At Boesen Law, we’ve seen firsthand how serious these cases can become.

Recently, we secured $475,000 for a client who needed spinal surgery and specialized rehabilitation after a rear-end collision, demonstrating how critical it is to prove the other driver’s negligence in these cases.

Broadside Impacts Cause Significant Injuries On City Streets

Broadside collisions, or T-bone crashes, accounted for 15,083 crashes in 2024. They happen mostly at intersections when drivers run red lights, ignore stop signs, or misjudge the speed of oncoming cars.

These crashes are dangerous because vehicle doors offer far less protection than front or rear bumpers. Victims often suffer broken bones, internal injuries, and serious head trauma. Busy urban intersections in Colorado’s largest cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora are common scenes for these violent impacts.

Pickup Trucks And SUVs Involved Disproportionately In Rollovers

Rollovers and overturning crashes totaled 2,503 in Colorado in 2024. Though a smaller percentage of overall accidents, these crashes are often catastrophic. Pickups and SUVs appear disproportionately in rollovers because of their higher center of gravity.

A sharp swerve, a high-speed curve, or hitting a soft shoulder can flip a tall vehicle onto its side or roof. Rollovers are more common on highways and county roads, where speeds are higher and curves are sharper.

Sideswipe Crashes Are Frequent During Lane Changes In Urban Traffic

Sideswipe collisions in the same direction caused 12,224 crashes statewide in 2024. They happen when drivers fail to check blind spots, drift out of lanes, or attempt risky merges.

Although they’re sometimes seen as minor fender-benders, sideswipes can spark chain-reaction crashes, especially in heavy city traffic. Places like Lakewood, Fort Collins, and Westminster, with their dense urban roads and frequent lane changes, see elevated sideswipe risks. Staying vigilant, signaling early, and double-checking mirrors help drivers avoid these expensive and potentially dangerous incidents.

Motorcycle Crashes Are Less Frequent But Far More Severe

Motorcycles were involved in 3,157 crashes statewide in 2024, a relatively small fraction of Colorado’s nearly 100,000 total crashes. However, the outcomes of these incidents are often devastating.

According to the CDOT, motorcycle crashes resulted in 1,626 injury cases, meaning more than half of all motorcycle crashes in Colorado led to at least one injured person. Even more sobering, 82 motorcycle crashes were fatal in 2024, showing the disproportionately high risk riders face on the road compared to drivers of enclosed vehicles.

These crashes frequently occur in situations where other drivers fail to notice motorcycles, especially during left turns, lane changes, or merging maneuvers. Smaller vehicle profiles and blind spots often play a role, as does driver inattention. When this happens, our motorcycle accident lawyers meticulously reconstruct crash scenes, work with motorcycle dynamics experts, and document evidence to support your motorcycle accident claim.

Colorado’s Urban Streets Are The Primary Stage For Collisions

More crashes happen on city streets than anywhere else in Colorado. In 2024, there were 43,163 crashes on urban streets. State highways saw 33,180 crashes, while interstates accounted for 14,070.

When looking at specific cities, the data reveals where crashes cluster:

• Denver: 15,701 crashes
• Colorado Springs: 6,457 crashes
• Aurora: 6,146 crashes
• Fort Collins: 2,912 crashes
• Lakewood: 2,758 crashes
• Pueblo: 2,644 crashes
• Thornton: 2,073 crashes
• Greeley: 1,980 crashes
• Westminster: 1,836 crashes

High urban density, frequent intersections, and heavy traffic create fertile ground for accidents. Drivers in these cities should expect sudden stops, pedestrians darting across streets, and aggressive lane changes to be common triggers for many types of crashes.

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

How to Reduce Colorado’s Most Common Crashes

Colorado’s crash data reveals patterns that drivers can proactively guard against.

• Keep extra distance: Rear-end crashes were the most common in Colorado last year. CDOT recommends leaving at least two to three seconds between you and the car ahead. That space is critical in stop-and-go urban traffic, where nearly half of all crashes occur (CDOT).
• Stay distraction-free: Distracted or inattentive driving contributed to thousands of crashes, including rear-end collisions. Even a moment of looking at a phone or GPS can erase crucial reaction time.
• Slow down for conditions: Speeding was a factor in thousands of rear-end crashes alone. Colorado’s variable weather and busy city streets demand drivers adjust speed for rain, snow, or low visibility.
• Use defensive driving techniques: Especially in city environments like Denver and Colorado Springs — where crash numbers are highest — defensive driving helps avoid sudden collisions caused by lane changes, left turns, or congested intersections.
• Be mindful around motorcycles: Although motorcycles were involved in just a small portion of all crashes, these accidents were far more likely to cause severe injuries or fatalities. Watch blind spots, signal clearly, and never assume a motorcycle is farther away than it appears.

We’ve seen countless claims where proving the other driver’s following distance, speed, or distraction made all the difference. Staying cautious behind the wheel protects both your health and your legal rights. And if an accident happens despite your best efforts, having solid evidence about how the crash occurred helps ensure fair compensation.

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Expert Insights: Your Rights After a Car Accident in Colorado

Car accident attorney Dennis Walker shares this advice: “One reason I study these crash statistics is because they directly shape how claims are handled. Insurance companies know rear-end crashes are easier to prove, while sideswipes or multi-vehicle pileups can lead to disputes over fault. Drivers should keep detailed records at the scene photos, contact info, and any witness names. It makes all the difference if a legal claim becomes necessary.”

From the most recent data, we know Colorado drivers face the greatest risks from rear-end impacts, broadside collisions, and crashes on busy city streets. Defensive driving, leaving more space, scanning intersections carefully, and avoiding distractions is the most effective way to reduce the chances of becoming a statistic.

If you are in an accident, remember to:

• Call 911 so there’s an official report, especially if injuries are involved.
• Photograph everything—vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and skid marks.
• Get medical care immediately, even for seemingly minor pain. Delays can hurt both your health and your legal case.
• Avoid giving statements to insurance companies without first getting legal advice.

Boesen Law’s car accident lawyers in Denver help accident victims by gathering police reports, working with crash reconstruction experts, and handling insurance negotiations. Contact us today to discuss your case details with no upfront fees—we’re available 24/7 for our clients.

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