El Paso County · Drunk driving
Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Colorado Springs drunk driving accident lawyers for crashes on Powers Boulevard and Academy Boulevard. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Your Civil Claim After a Drunk Driving Crash
McCormick & Murphy are Colorado Springs drunk driving accident lawyers for people hurt by an alcohol- or drug-impaired driver. We get the Colorado Springs Police Department or Colorado State Patrol report, the UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital records, and file in El Paso County District Court.
A drunk driving collision in Colorado Springs creates two separate legal paths. The criminal case, handled by prosecutors, addresses whether the driver broke the law and faces punishment. Your civil case is about your injuries and damages—medical treatment, lost income, physical pain, and emotional harm. We pursue the civil claim to recover money for you, while the criminal outcome may or may not help prove our case.
The at-fault driver's insurance is typically the primary source of recovery. However, Colorado law also recognizes dram-shop liability: bars, restaurants, liquor stores, or social hosts who served alcohol to someone they knew (or should have known) was impaired may share responsibility. We investigate both the driver and any vendor who contributed to the impairment.
You did everything right. You wore your seatbelt. You followed the traffic laws. You were sober. And someone who made the choice to get behind the wheel drunk changed your life anyway.
Now you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and a vehicle that may be totaled. Meanwhile, the driver who hit you is facing criminal charges. That’s important. But it doesn’t pay your bills. It doesn’t cover your medical treatment. And it doesn’t make you whole.
What Evidence Matters in Drunk Driving Cases
Colorado Springs Police Department and Colorado State Patrol officers document impaired-driving crashes through field-sobriety tests, breathalyzer or blood-alcohol readings, body-camera footage, witness statements, and charging records. These reports are critical but not always complete or clear. We obtain police reports, toxicology results, and any video from the scene or nearby traffic cameras.
For dram-shop claims, we gather receipts, surveillance video from the serving establishment, employee statements, and credit-card records showing the driver's tab and timing. Witness testimony—from passengers, bystanders, or staff—often corroborates impairment and the vendor's knowledge. Medical records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital document your injuries and treatment, linking them directly to the crash.
After a drunk driving collision, time is critical. Request the full police report from Colorado Springs Police Department or Colorado State Patrol within days—include the incident number and date.
- 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
These steps protect evidence needed to prove the driver's impairment and, if applicable, the vendor's liability.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Colorado Springs and Surrounding Areas
Colorado Springs sees significant traffic on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, Woodmen Road, and I-25. High-speed corridors and evening traffic near Briargate, the Broadmoor, and nightlife areas in Old Colorado City create conditions where impaired drivers pose serious risks. We have handled cases throughout El Paso County and know the intersections, business patterns, and local law enforcement practices that matter.
Whether your crash happened near Fountain, Manitou Springs, or in the heart of Colorado Springs, we work with local medical providers, investigators, and the El Paso County District Court system. Our office is based in Colorado Springs, so we understand the community and maintain relationships with key agencies and experts.
Official Colorado Springs hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Losses the claim may include
- Medical expenses: emergency room, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing care at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity due to injury, disability, or time away from work
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings in the crash
- Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability affecting your appearance or function
- Punitive or exemplary damages in cases of gross negligence or reckless impaired driving
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Colorado Springs — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Colorado Springs drunk driving accident lawyers after a crash?
Call Colorado Springs drunk driving accident lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Colorado Springs office is at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
How is my civil case different from the criminal case against the drunk driver?
The criminal case, prosecuted by the District Attorney, seeks to punish the driver for breaking the law. Your civil case seeks compensation for your losses. They run parallel but separately. A criminal conviction can support your civil claim, but even if the driver is acquitted or not prosecuted, you may still recover civil damages if we prove negligence by a preponderance of the evidence—a lower legal standard.
What is a dram-shop claim, and does it apply to my crash?
Colorado law allows injury victims to sue alcohol vendors—bars, restaurants, liquor stores, social hosts—if they served alcohol to someone they knew was impaired and that impairment caused injury. We investigate whether the drunk driver was served by a vendor in Colorado Springs before the crash. Not every crash involves a viable dram-shop claim, but we always explore it because vendors often carry higher insurance limits.
Do I have to pay your fee upfront?
No. We work on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation through settlement or verdict. Our fee comes from the recovery, so our interests align with yours. You may owe certain costs (medical records, expert reports, filing fees), which we discuss clearly upfront.
What is the deadline to file a civil claim in Colorado?
Colorado's statute of limitations for personal-injury claims is typically three years from the date of the crash. However, deadline rules can be complex, especially if you were a minor or if the at-fault party left the state. Contact us immediately after your crash to protect your rights—waiting costs time and loses evidence.
How long does a drunk driving injury case usually take?
Timeline varies. Simple cases with clear liability and insurance coverage may settle within months. Complex cases involving multiple parties, dram-shop claims, or disputed injuries may take three years or longer if trial becomes necessary. We keep you informed every step and work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while maximizing your recovery.
Discuss your Colorado Springs accident
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.