Available 24/7
Free Consultation
If you were hurt in a tow truck crash, a Denver truck accident lawyer can make a critical difference in how your claim unfolds. These accidents are among the most violent collisions on Denver’s roads. Tow trucks operate in high-pressure conditions alongside fast-moving traffic on I-25 and I-70, and when a driver fails to move over, secures a load improperly, or misjudges a merge, the results can be catastrophic. Rollovers, multi-vehicle pileups, and secondary crashes are common outcomes, and the injuries they leave behind rarely resolve quickly.
What makes these cases particularly difficult is that liability rarely falls on a single party. The operator behind the wheel, the company that dispatched the vehicle, and the insurers involved each play a role, and each will have legal representation working to limit what you recover. Without someone who understands how these claims work, critical evidence can be lost and deadlines missed before a case ever gets started.
At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys work to identify every liable party, build the evidence needed to support your claim, and counter the strategies insurers use to reduce what injured victims recover. The consultation is free, and you can reach us anytime at (303) 747-4404.
Table of Contents
At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys take on complex, high-stakes cases that other firms turn away, bringing persistence, creativity, and a quality-over-quantity philosophy to every claim. A Denver tow truck accident lawyer from our team understands the full scope of these cases, from investigating the operator and dispatching company to reviewing cargo-loading practices and maintenance records, and every aspect receives focused attention throughout the process.
From the moment you come on board, you will have direct access to your attorney, including their cell phone number. Our team responds promptly to calls, emails, and texts, and when meeting in person is easier for you, we come to you. Every client receives clear, honest communication at every stage of the process, so you always know where your case stands and what comes next.
All necessary case costs, including expert witnesses, are advanced with no interest charged. There are no upfront legal fees. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. When your case calls for a strategy built around your specific situation, that is exactly what our attorneys deliver.
Every case turns on its own facts, and no outcome predicts another. Some of the commercial vehicle cases our team has taken to their full potential include:
Past results do not guarantee a future outcome. What they reflect is our willingness to take difficult cases seriously and pursue them to their full potential, no matter how complex the circumstances may be.
Recovering from a serious accident is difficult enough without having to wonder whether your attorney is truly working for you. Clients who have trusted our team with their cases share what that experience looks like:
“Dormer Harpring is a talented team of true trial lawyers, dedicated to actually litigating cases to obtain proper value for their clients’ hardships. The team is led by top-notch trial lawyers, and their staff is fantastic. In particular, my experience in working alongside Tim Garvey, Sean Dormer, and their team has been exceptional.” — Michael Harris — 5 stars
“Tim Garvey represented my sister after she had her senior living facility refuse to refund her deposit, as well as deducting money from her deposit account. Tim, his co-attorneys, and staff did a wonderful job getting her deposit returned as well as damages against the powerful corporation running the Windcrest Senior Center and taking advantage of its senior residents.” — Cindy Valentine — 5 stars
“I had a superior experience having Dormer Harpring represent me in my personal injury case. They were all very caring, with exceptional communication and professional knowledge. Julie and Tim both worked extremely hard on my case to get the settlement I deserved! Overall, a 10/10 star experience, and I highly recommend them!” — Josh Bennett — 5 stars
Tow trucks operate in some of the most demanding conditions on Denver’s roads, constantly positioned near fast-moving traffic on I-25 and I-70 while responding to breakdowns, clearing disabled vehicles, and navigating congested surface streets. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 12 tow truck operators were among the 46 roadside workers struck and killed in Colorado in 2024 alone. Those numbers reflect how quickly these situations can turn fatal, and the circumstances behind each crash vary widely.
Causes that frequently appear in these cases may include:
Each of these factors shapes who may bear liability and what evidence needs to be preserved before it disappears.
Available 24/7 – Call us now at (303) 756-3812 for expert legal help. Your case matters, and we’re here to fight for you!
Among these causes, failures to comply with Colorado’s Move Over Law stand out because the legal standard is clearly defined and the consequences of ignoring it are significant. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-705, drivers approaching certain stationary vehicles displaying warning lights are required to move into an adjacent lane when it is safe to do so, or to reduce speed when a lane change is not possible. This requirement applies to tow trucks, utility vehicles, construction crews, and any other vehicle stopped on the roadside with its lights active, not just marked emergency vehicles.
Many drivers are unaware of how broadly the law applies. Failing to comply is a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic infraction in Colorado, carrying a minimum $150 fine and three points on the driver’s license, with penalties increasing based on the severity of the situation.
When a driver who failed to comply causes or contributes to a crash, that violation becomes a significant factor in establishing negligence. It establishes a direct evidentiary link between the driver’s conduct and the resulting harm, and it can significantly strengthen a compensation claim.
The steps taken immediately after a crash can determine how strong your claim becomes. Tow truck companies and their insurers move quickly, and the window for preserving critical evidence is shorter than most people expect. Taking the right actions from the start can make a significant difference:
The sooner our team gets involved, the more we can protect. Tow truck accident claims in Colorado involve layers of investigation that take time to build properly, and starting early makes a direct difference in the strength of the case that follows.
Tow truck collisions often produce injuries far more serious than those in a typical car accident. The size and weight of these vehicles mean the force of impact can cause trauma affecting a person for years, or permanently. Injuries commonly seen in these cases include:
Not every injury is obvious at the scene. Symptoms can develop or worsen in the days following a crash, which is why a prompt medical evaluation matters for both your health and your claim. Documented symptoms are often what determine the compensation available to you.
Tow truck accident claims stand apart from typical car accident cases because responsibility rarely falls on a single party. Depending on what caused the crash, multiple defendants may share liability, and identifying all of them early is essential to recovering full compensation.
Parties commonly held responsible in these cases include:
Each of these parties carries its own insurance coverage, and holding all of them accountable is what positions your claim for the strongest possible outcome.
No two tow truck accident cases are identical. The value of a claim depends on the specific circumstances of the crash, the severity of the injuries involved, and how those injuries affect your life going forward. A collision resulting in a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage carries very different financial stakes than one involving soft tissue injuries with a full recovery.
Colorado law allows injured parties to pursue economic damages, which cover the measurable financial losses tied to the crash:
Non-economic damages address the personal toll the crash has taken:
In cases where the tow truck operator or company acted with particular recklessness, such as deploying a vehicle with known mechanical defects or dispatching a driver who had exceeded legal driving limits, punitive damages may also be available under Colorado law. Every category of loss deserves careful accounting before any settlement figure is considered. At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys work to ensure nothing is overlooked when building the full picture of what you are owed.
You may still be able to recover compensation even if you share some of the blame for the crash. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-111, which means your recovery is reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you. As long as your share stays below 50 percent, you can still pursue compensation.
For example, if your total damages are $500,000 and you are found 20 percent at fault, you would recover $400,000 rather than the full amount. Insurance companies routinely push to assign more blame to the injured party than the facts support, because every percentage point added reduces what they owe.
Strong documentation is what pushes back against inflated fault assignments. Police reports, witness accounts, and professional accident reconstruction can all protect the value of your claim when fault is disputed.
Colorado law gives most accident victims three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is set by Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-101, and missing it typically means losing the right to pursue compensation entirely, no matter how strong the evidence may be.
Three years can feel like a long time, but it moves faster than most people expect. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and building a thorough claim takes time. Some situations also carry shorter deadlines. Claims against government entities require formal notice well before the three-year window closes, and wrongful death cases follow a separate timeline. Exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances, so speaking with a Denver tow truck accident lawyer as early as possible is always the safer choice.
If a tow truck collision has left you injured and facing an uncertain path forward, our Denver tow truck accident lawyers are ready to help. At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions honestly, and pursue every form of compensation your case deserves. There are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. Call (303) 747-4404 for a free consultation with our team today.
Denver Personal Injury Attorney
Fighting for Justice, Winning Against the Odds
Sean Dormer has built his career on standing up to powerful corporations and insurance companies to get justice for the injured. With a relentless trial-focused approach, he has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for clients who were turned away by other firms. His expertise has led him to speak at statewide legal conferences and advocate for fairer personal injury laws in Colorado.
Sean Dormer LinkedIn
Client Testimonials
1 months ago
“I would recommend them to anyone who needs an attorney for a personal injury case!!“
I was under the gun with my statute of limitations less than a month away, and K.C. at Dormer Harpring took on my case anyway. They gave me super professional and super personal service and got me a settlement that was FAR more than the insurance company offered me on my own. I would recommend them to anyone who needs an attorney for a personal injury case!!
View More Testimonials
Liability often extends beyond the driver. Responsible parties may include the tow truck operator, the dispatching company, a third-party cargo loader, or a vehicle manufacturer if a mechanical defect played a role. Another motorist who failed to move over may also be held responsible. Every angle is investigated before any settlement is considered.
You are not required to hire one, but these cases are more complex than standard car accidents. They often involve commercial insurance policies, multiple defendants, and time-sensitive evidence such as driver logs and dispatch records. A Denver tow truck accident lawyer can protect that evidence early and help ensure you are not pressured into accepting less than your claim is worth.
When a driver causes a crash while on the job, their employer is typically liable under the legal principle of vicarious liability. This means you may have a claim directly against the towing company, which often carries significantly higher insurance coverage than an individual driver.
There is no single answer. Cases with clear liability and limited injuries can be resolved in months. Those involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or multiple defendants often take a year or longer. Reaching a fair resolution matters more than reaching a fast one, especially when long-term medical costs are part of the picture.
Bystanders and pedestrians injured by a tow truck have the same right to pursue compensation as any other injured party. A claim can be filed against the responsible driver and, in most cases, the company that employed them. Colorado’s three-year statute of limitations applies, and consulting a Denver tow truck accident lawyer early ensures critical evidence is preserved and your claim is filed on time.
Key evidence includes the police report, scene photographs, witness contact information, and any available surveillance or dashcam footage. Driver logs, dispatch records, and vehicle maintenance reports can also establish negligence on the commercial side. This evidence can disappear quickly, making early legal involvement critical.
Claims against government-owned vehicles follow a different process. Colorado law requires injured parties to file a formal notice of claim within 182 days of the incident before a lawsuit can be filed. Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely, so speaking with an attorney promptly is essential.
A hit-and-run does not eliminate your right to compensation. An uninsured motorist claim may be available depending on your coverage, and law enforcement records, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can help identify the responsible party. The sooner the investigation begins, the better.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney, K.C. Harpring, a Denver personal injury attorney with extensive legal expertise.
(303) 756-3812
