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Fort Collins has grown fast, and the roads have not kept up. College Avenue handles traffic volumes it was never designed for; the interchange at I-25 and Prospect backs up daily, and drivers navigating the CSU area during peak hours are one distracted moment away from causing serious harm. When that moment affects you, you need a Fort Collins personal injury lawyer who understands what is actually at stake.
At Dormer Harpring, we represent injured people across northern Colorado with the same focused, case-by-case attention that has produced results in Denver courtrooms and settlement rooms alike. We do not run a high-volume practice. We take fewer cases so we can fight harder for each one, and we do not charge a fee unless we recover on your behalf. Call (303) 747-4404 to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Fort Collins is Larimer County’s largest city and one of the fastest-growing communities along the Front Range. Increased traffic on US-287, SH-14, and the Harmony Road corridor has brought a steady rise in serious accidents across the area. When an injury occurs, navigating the legal process in Colorado can be complex. Local courts, insurance practices, and state law all play a role in how a claim unfolds. At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys understand what it takes to handle these cases effectively.
When you hire us, you can expect:
When you are ready to take the next step toward protecting your claim, our attorneys are ready to listen and help you understand your options.
Over the years, our attorneys have secured meaningful recoveries for injured clients across Colorado. A few examples of those outcomes include:
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case, but they reflect the dedication our Fort Collins personal injury lawyers bring to every client we represent.
The people we represent are the best measure of how we work. The following reviews come from clients who trusted Dormer Harpring with their cases:
“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
“Thank you Greg Bentley, for your help and guidance in our predicament! Greg was to the point, truthful, and did not waste our money. Thank you for always being available and answering our questions! And your guidance today and referrals are much appreciated. Thank you so much for going the extra mile for us!” — Chris and Lynn Collins — 5 stars
“I had a great experience with Dormer Harpring, LLC. The team is professional and knowledgeable, and Abby, in particular, was incredibly helpful. Her expertise and attention to detail made everything much easier. I highly recommend this firm for anyone in need of legal assistance!” — Savannah Graves — 5 stars
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!
Fort Collins roads, properties, and public spaces see their share of serious accidents every year. Our Fort Collins personal injury lawyers handle a broad range of cases across the practice areas where injured people most often need representation, including:
If your situation does not appear on this list, contact our office directly at (303) 747-4404. Personal injury law covers a wide spectrum of harm caused by another party’s negligence, and many cases that appear unusual at first review still have a clear path to compensation.
The severity of an injury does not always match what a scene looks like immediately after a crash. Some of the most serious conditions take hours or days to fully appear, which is why medical evaluation should follow any significant accident, regardless of how a person feels at the scene. Knowing what to look for makes a meaningful difference in how a claim develops.
Common injuries seen in personal injury cases include:
Every injury listed above can affect the value of a personal injury claim. Medical records, treatment history, and expert opinions often play a major role in determining compensation. For that reason, documenting injuries from the beginning is critical. Once injuries are identified, the next step is determining who is legally responsible.
The steps taken immediately after an accident can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim. If your situation allows, consider taking the following steps:
Not every situation unfolds the same way, and some of these steps may not be possible depending on the severity of the injuries involved. What matters most is getting medical care first and seeking legal guidance before making any decisions about your claim.
Fault in a personal injury case is rarely limited to one person. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, potentially liable parties may include:
Identifying every liable party matters because it directly affects the compensation available in a claim. Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence framework under C.R.S. § 13-21-111, which means an injured person can still recover as long as they are less than 50 percent at fault. Insurance companies use this rule aggressively to reduce what they pay. Having a Fort Collins personal injury lawyer involved early in the process helps preserve key evidence and ensures fault is assigned accurately.
In a Fort Collins personal injury claim, compensation falls into three main categories. The Colorado Jury Instructions outline how each type of damage is defined and applied in personal injury cases.
Economic damages cover the financial losses directly tied to your injury:
Non-economic damages address the personal toll an injury takes beyond the financial:
These damages were previously limited under Colorado law, but HB24-1472 expanded those limits, allowing injured people to recover more for these losses, with future adjustments tied to inflation.
Punitive damages are not about compensation. They apply when a defendant’s conduct was willful, wanton, or malicious, going beyond ordinary negligence. Their purpose is to hold that party accountable and deter similar behavior in the future. Not every case qualifies, but when the facts support them, they can significantly increase the total recovery.
At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys work to identify and document every category of loss before any settlement is reached.
The deadline to file a personal injury claim in Colorado depends on the type of case. Motor vehicle accident claims, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, must be filed within three years under C.R.S. § 13-80-101. Most other personal injury cases, such as dog bites, slip and fall, and premises liability claims, carry a two-year deadline under C.R.S. § 13-80-102. Missing either deadline typically results in losing the right to recover compensation, regardless of the circumstances.
There are limited exceptions that can shift that deadline:
While these exceptions exist, they are not the rule. Two years can pass quickly, and evidence does not wait. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses become harder to reach, and important details fade over time. Consulting with a Fort Collins personal injury lawyer as soon as possible allows for a thorough investigation while key evidence is still available.
Recovering from an injury is hard enough without navigating a legal claim alone. At Dormer Harpring, our attorneys work directly with injured people throughout Fort Collins and Larimer County to evaluate claims, challenge unfair settlements, and pursue every dollar Colorado law allows. If you need a Fort Collins personal injury lawyer, call (303) 747-4404 today to schedule a free consultation.
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.
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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!!
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Highlands Ranch Personal Injury
Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, how the accident has affected your ability to work, and the strength of the evidence against the at-fault party. Cases involving serious or long-term injuries are generally worth more than those involving minor harm that resolves quickly.
Not necessarily. Many personal injury claims are resolved through a negotiated settlement before a lawsuit is ever filed. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial may be the right path. Having a Fort Collins personal injury lawyer prepared to litigate gives you leverage that unrepresented claimants rarely have.
You may still be able to recover compensation. Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can pursue a claim as long as your share of fault is below 50 percent. Your total recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you, but it is not eliminated. Insurance companies often exaggerate a claimant’s share of responsibility to reduce what they pay, which is why having an attorney review the facts matters.
It depends on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Straightforward claims with clear liability and documented injuries can be resolved in a few months. Cases involving disputed fault, serious injuries, or multiple parties can take a year or longer. Rushing toward a settlement before your injuries have stabilized almost always costs you money in the long run.
At Dormer Harpring, there is no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee comes out of the recovery we obtain for you. If we do not win, you do not pay. We also advance the cost of expert witnesses and case expenses, with no interest charged, so out-of-pocket costs are never a barrier to strong representation.
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.
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