the City and County of Denver · Drunk driving
Denver Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Denver drunk driving accident lawyers for crashes on Colfax Avenue, Federal Boulevard, I-25, and I-70. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Your Civil Claim After a Drunk or Drug-Impaired Driving Crash
McCormick & Murphy are Denver drunk driving accident lawyers for people hurt by an alcohol- or drug-impaired driver. We get the Denver Police Department or Colorado State Patrol report and the Denver Health records.
A criminal prosecution of the impaired driver happens in one track; your personal-injury claim happens in another. The criminal process focuses on punishment. Your civil case focuses on your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the crash. You do not have to wait for a criminal conviction to file a civil claim, and the outcome of the criminal case does not determine whether you can recover civil damages.
Denver Police Department and Colorado State Patrol investigate crashes on our city's major corridors—including I-25, I-70, Colfax Avenue, and Federal Boulevard—and document signs of impairment. That evidence, combined with medical records, witness statements, and toxicology findings, strengthens your claim. We also investigate whether the establishment that served the impaired driver bears liability under Colorado's dram-shop law.
You did nothing wrong. You were driving safely, following the rules, and someone who chose to get behind the wheel drunk crashed into you. Now you’re hurt, your car is totaled, and you’re watching the driver get arrested while you sit in an ambulance. The police are handling the criminal case. But no one has told you that you have a separate right to compensation for what this person took from you.
At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we represent people in Denver and across Colorado who have been injured by drunk drivers. We handle the civil side of these cases—the part that gets you compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and everything else this crash has cost you. The criminal system punishes the driver. We make sure you’re made whole.
Evidence We Gather and Use
Critical evidence in a drunk or drug-impaired driving case includes the police report, field-sobriety test results, breathalyzer or blood-alcohol readings, body-camera footage from responding officers, and witness statements about the driver's condition before and after the crash. Hospital records from Denver Health Medical Center or other Denver-area providers document your injuries. We request all records from the scene investigation and any charges filed by the district attorney.
We also pursue evidence about whether the driver was served alcohol before the crash. Restaurant receipts, bar surveillance video, server testimony, and prior incidents at the establishment can support a dram-shop claim. Colorado law holds alcohol vendors accountable when they knowingly serve a visibly intoxicated person who then causes injury. This claim can expand the pool of defendants and insurance coverage available to you.
After a crash involving an impaired driver, act quickly to preserve evidence. Request the police report from Denver Police Department or Colorado State Patrol immediately—crash reports are public record.
- Toxicology and breath/blood results
- Field-sobriety evidence and charging records
- Body-camera or dashcam video
- Bar/restaurant receipts supporting dram-shop facts
- Witness accounts of impairment
- Scene photographs and police report
The sooner we intervene, the stronger your evidence will be.
Drunk Driving Crashes in Denver Neighborhoods
Denver's busy corridors—Colfax Avenue, Federal Boulevard, I-25, and I-70—see significant traffic and, regrettably, impaired-driving collisions. Neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Five Points, RiNo, Cherry Creek, and Highlands Ranch experience crashes on commercial streets where bars and restaurants operate. Each crash is investigated by Denver Police Department or Colorado State Patrol, and each case brings its own mix of evidence and liable parties.
If you were hurt in one of these areas, we work with you to understand exactly what happened, who was involved, and what entities may bear responsibility. We handle the investigation, negotiation, and litigation while you focus on recovery.
Official Denver hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Losses the claim may include
- Medical treatment and ongoing care expenses at Denver Health or other Denver-area providers
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity due to injury
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability
- Punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or recklessness by the impaired driver or dram-shop defendant
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Denver — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Denver Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Denver drunk driving accident lawyers after a crash?
Call Denver drunk driving accident lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
Do I have to wait for the criminal case to end before filing my civil claim?
No. The criminal and civil cases are separate. You can file a civil claim immediately while the criminal prosecution is pending. In fact, evidence from the criminal investigation often helps your civil case.
What is a dram-shop claim?
Colorado's dram-shop law holds alcohol vendors (bars, restaurants, breweries) liable when they knowingly serve a visibly intoxicated person, and that person then causes injury to someone else. If the impaired driver was served at a Denver establishment, we investigate whether a dram-shop claim is viable.
How much does it cost to hire McCormick & Murphy for my case?
We work on contingency. You pay no attorney fees upfront. We recover a percentage of any settlement or judgment we obtain for you. If we do not recover money, you owe us nothing.
What is the deadline to file a claim in Denver?
Colorado law generally allows three years from the date of the crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. However, do not wait. Prompt action preserves evidence, improves settlement negotiations, and ensures you meet all filing requirements. Contact us as soon as possible after your crash.
What happens if the impaired driver does not have insurance or is uninsured?
Colorado requires most vehicles to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Your own policy may provide recovery if the at-fault driver lacks adequate coverage. We investigate all available sources of compensation, including any dram-shop defendants.
Discuss Your Denver Drunk Driving Accident Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.