Do You Have to Call the Police After a Car Accident in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado generally requires a driver to give immediate notice to law enforcement after a traffic crash involving an injury, a death or any property damage. Reporting the crash does not always mean an officer must come to the scene. Call 911 for an injury or immediate danger; for a minor crash, contact the appropriate police agency and follow its reporting instructions.

Calling the police does more than meet legal requirements. A police report provides an official record of the accident, which can be very important when filing an insurance claim or pursuing compensation with the help of a car accident attorney in Colorado Springs.

Colorado’s Legal Requirements for Reporting a Car Accident

Under C.R.S. § 42-4-1606, a driver must give immediate notice to the nearest authorized police agency after a crash resulting in injury, death or any property damage. The reporting duty is broader than crashes that leave a vehicle unsafe to drive. Tell the dispatcher about:

• Someone was injured or killed in the accident
• Any property damage, including damage to a drivable vehicle
• A driver involved in the accident appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• One of the drivers does not have a valid driver’s license or insurance

Also explain whether traffic is blocked or anyone is in immediate danger. The agency determines the response and may direct you to remain at the scene or use a reporting process for a qualifying minor crash. Reporting requirements, emergency response and an officer’s crash investigation are related but different steps.

What Happens If You Do Not Call the Police?

Failing to give required notice and leaving a crash scene without meeting your legal duties are separate issues. Violating the reporting statute is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; injury-related hit-and-run offenses can carry more serious consequences. Notify law enforcement promptly and follow its instructions. A missing report can also leave gaps in the record of what happened.

An officer’s report may record the location, witness accounts and observations, but it can contain errors or disputed statements. Preserve your own photographs, witness details and medical records as well. A report helps document a claim; it does not by itself decide fault or guarantee insurance coverage.

Do You Need to Call the Police for a Minor Accident?

A minor crash with property damage still falls within Colorado’s notice requirement. Whether an officer attends is a separate question. Colorado Springs provides a cold-reporting process for qualifying situations, such as certain non-injury crashes where the parties can exchange information and no one requests an officer. Confirm the applicable procedure with police rather than assuming a fender bender needs no report.

• Injuries are not always obvious: Some injuries, such as concussions or soft tissue damage, may not show symptoms until hours or days later. Having a police report can help link these injuries to the crash.
• Damage may be worse than it looks: What seems like a minor dent could hide serious damage that makes the car unsafe to drive.
• Insurance disputes are common: A police report helps establish fault, making it harder for the other driver to deny responsibility.

If no officer investigates, the Colorado DMV provides online crash-report instructions. An individual’s online filing is a counter report kept for record purposes; it is not a law-enforcement investigation. Save your submission and supporting evidence. If an officer collected the needed information at the scene, the DMV says additional forms are generally unnecessary unless the Department of Revenue contacts you.

What to Do While Waiting for the Police

If you are in an accident and have called the police, take steps to protect yourself while waiting for officers to arrive:

• Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible, but do not leave the scene
• Check on others involved and call for medical help if anyone is injured
• Exchange information with the other driver, including name, contact details, driver’s license number, insurance information, and license plate
• Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
• Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the accident

These steps, combined with the police report, will create a strong foundation for your insurance claim or potential legal case.

How Police Reports Affect Car Accident Claims

When you file an insurance claim or pursue compensation after a car accident, a police report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence. Insurance companies review the report to determine fault, and attorneys often use it to build a case for damages. A thorough report may include:

• Details of the accident location and conditions
• Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
• Officer’s observations of the scene
• Evidence of traffic violations or intoxication
• Diagrams or photos documenting the crash

While the police report itself does not decide liability, it carries significant weight and can influence the outcome of a claim or lawsuit.

Why You Should Contact an Attorney After a Car Accident

Calling the police is only one step after a car accident. If you or a loved one were injured, speaking with an experienced attorney is just as important. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and without legal guidance you may not receive the full compensation you deserve.

At Pribila & Fields, our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys can review your police report, investigate the accident, and build a strong case for compensation. We handle communication with insurers, gather evidence, and fight for your rights so you can focus on recovery.

If you have questions about your rights after a car accident in Colorado Springs, please contact us today for a consultation. We are here to help you understand your options and pursue the justice you deserve.