Fort Collins Pedestrian Lawyers Protecting Victims on the City’s Most Walkable Streets

A walk around Fort Collins can become dangerous in the blink of an eye. Whether you’re walking across College Avenue near Old Town or walking near the CSU campus, distracted drivers put pedestrians in harm’s way every day. Our Fort Collins pedestrian injury attorneys at Levine Law are committed to holding those drivers responsible and helping injured citizens gain the compensation they deserve.

Pedestrian accidents all over Colorado are on the rise, especially in pedestrian-dominated areas like Fort Collins. The Colorado Department of Transportation says nearly 15 percent of all traffic fatalities involve pedestrians. The majority of the accidents happen within pedestrian-designed areas. Despite city programs like the Safe Streets Plan, distracted and speeding drivers continue to cause serious injuries.

At Levine Law, we focus on representing injured pedestrians throughout Fort Collins. Our lawyers are thoroughly familiar with the unique dangers present in this city and the devastation that these accidents can release. We’ve obtained millions of dollars for accident victims throughout Colorado, and we move fast to build your case, protect your rights, and pursue the justice you deserve.

When you need aggressive representation after a Fort Collins pedestrian accident, we can help you take the first step toward healing.

What Causes Fort Collins Pedestrian Accidents on City Streets and Sidewalks

Pedestrian injuries in Fort Collins often occur in familiar places. From the vibrant streets of Old Town to the busy corridors near Colorado State University, accidents happen where people live, walk, and commute every day. Understanding the most common causes helps establish fault, prove negligence, and ultimately win justice for victims.

Our legal team carefully investigates every factor that leads to a Fort Collins pedestrian crash. We focus on driver behavior, road design, and local traffic conditions to build a strong foundation for your injury claim.

Distracted Driving Continues to Threaten Pedestrian Safety

Distracted drivers are one of the most frequent sources of injury to pedestrians in Fort Collins. While cellphones are often the culprit, distraction can also include eating behind the wheel, adjusting controls, or turning to talk with passengers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 400,000 people were injured nationwide in distraction-related accidents in a single year. Many of those injured were pedestrians struck by drivers who failed to see them in time.

College Avenue and Old Town Crosswalk Dangers

College Avenue is one of the most heavily traveled roads in Fort Collins and cuts directly through popular pedestrian destinations. During weekends and events, foot traffic increases significantly, especially around the Old Town area. These zones demand alert drivers, yet distracted ones frequently barrel through crosswalks.

Pedestrian injuries in these locations often involve drivers using smartphones to navigate or respond to messages while driving. Our legal team obtains device data, app logs, and camera footage to prove distraction.

Intersections Near CSU and the Oval

The Colorado State University campus attracts thousands of students, faculty, and visitors every day. Intersections like Laurel and Meridian are frequent crash sites where foot traffic and vehicles intersect. When drivers text or check navigation, they fail to yield to crossing pedestrians.

If you were injured in this area, we can gather campus security footage, police records, and witness accounts to prove how distraction caused your injury.

Speeding Drivers Put Pedestrians in Extreme Danger

Speeding remains a top cause of pedestrian injuries throughout Fort Collins. Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of the impact. Even an extra 10 miles per hour can be the difference between a minor injury and a fatal collision.

The National Transportation Safety Board has long documented the dangers of speeding in pedestrian zones, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement and driver accountability.

Harmony Road and Mulberry Street Risks

Harmony and Mulberry serve as key east-west corridors in Fort Collins, connecting residential areas to commercial and school zones. These roads carry high-speed traffic even during peak pedestrian hours.

Drivers often ignore speed limits in these areas, even near crosswalks or transit stops. Many pedestrians struck along these roads suffer from multiple injuries due to the force of the collision. Our attorneys secure radar data and black box recordings to prove speeding occurred.

Local Neighborhoods and School Zones

In neighborhoods near Poudre High School and Lopez Elementary, posted speed limits are often ignored. Children walking to and from school are among the most vulnerable. When drivers race through residential streets without caution, they put families at risk.

We work with law enforcement and community records to show how habitual speeding in these zones directly contributes to injury.

Failure to Yield to Pedestrians Is a Persistent Violation

Many drivers simply do not yield to pedestrians as required under Colorado law. Whether in marked crosswalks, unmarked crossings, or at intersections, the obligation to stop is clear. Still, failure to yield remains one of the top factors in pedestrian crashes.

The Colorado General Assembly’s traffic statutes mandate that drivers give the right of way to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crossings. Violating this rule often results in serious legal consequences when a crash occurs.

Crosswalks on Prospect Road and Shields Street

Intersections like Prospect and Shields experience constant pedestrian flow, particularly near CSU housing and retail centers. Drivers failing to stop for people in crosswalks frequently cause high-impact injuries.

We investigate these violations by reviewing intersection footage, retrieving vehicle dashcams, and interviewing witnesses who saw the crash unfold.

Right Turns at Red Lights Without Full Stops

Many pedestrian accidents happen when drivers make quick right turns at red lights. Without a full stop and clear visibility, these turns endanger pedestrians lawfully crossing the street.

In Fort Collins, this issue is especially problematic near retail centers like Foothills Mall, where foot and car traffic merge. We establish fault by using timing data, traffic signal programming, and vehicle trajectory analysis.

Rideshare and Delivery Drivers Increase Urban Collision Risks

With growing demand for delivery and rideshare services, Fort Collins has seen a significant rise in traffic from companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon. Unfortunately, these drivers often rush to complete routes, ignore safe parking practices, and fail to yield in high-traffic zones.

Pickups and Drop-offs in Downtown and Midtown

Pedestrian injuries frequently happen when rideshare drivers double-park or block visibility in downtown Fort Collins. Whether a driver stops mid-lane on Linden Street or swerves into a bike lane near Mason Corridor, poor behavior creates real danger for pedestrians.

We examine GPS data, app usage logs, and rideshare company records to hold these drivers and their employers responsible.

Food Delivery Services on Tight Deadlines

Delivery drivers often operate under strict timelines. As a result, they take shortcuts, disregard signage, or roll through intersections without looking for pedestrians. These behaviors are common near apartment complexes, shopping centers, and CSU dorms.

Our team uses surveillance footage and company tracking systems to determine whether a delivery vehicle’s behavior caused the crash.

Poor Infrastructure Adds to the Danger for Pedestrians

Sometimes the road itself contributes to a pedestrian accident. When signs are missing, crosswalks are poorly marked, or lighting is inadequate, pedestrians are left exposed. In some cases, the city may bear liability for failing to maintain safe conditions.

The Federal Highway Administration provides guidelines on pedestrian-focused infrastructure, emphasizing how simple changes reduce injuries.

Dark Intersections and Broken Streetlights

Accidents often occur after sunset when lighting is poor. Streets like Lemay Avenue, Vine Drive, and Cherry Street can become dangerous when streetlights fail. Pedestrians are harder to see, and drivers may not notice them until it’s too late.

We request maintenance logs from the city and interview nearby residents to show that poor lighting contributed to your accident.

Faded or Missing Crosswalk Markings

In growing neighborhoods, city maintenance sometimes lags behind. Crosswalks near parks, schools, and residential developments often fade or vanish entirely, leaving pedestrians uncertain about where to cross safely.

These issues commonly arise in areas near Spring Creek Trail and Rigden Farm. Our legal team documents these defects and pursues municipal claims when appropriate.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Fort Collins Pedestrian Injury Claim

After a pedestrian accident in Fort Collins, identifying all liable parties is crucial. Many cases involve more than just the driver who caused the crash. Liability may extend to businesses, employers, government entities, or even property owners depending on how and where the collision happened.

Our Fort Collins pedestrian attorneys take an aggressive approach to uncover every source of legal responsibility. This strategy ensures injured pedestrians receive the full compensation they deserve.

Drivers Who Ignore Pedestrian Rights Are Often the Primary Cause

Most Fort Collins pedestrian injuries happen when drivers fail to follow the rules of the road. Whether they ignore crosswalks, speed through intersections, or drive distracted, their negligence often leads directly to serious harm.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, local governments nationwide continue to implement stricter rules to hold drivers accountable. In Colorado, laws require motorists to yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

Left Turns and Blind Intersections in Fort Collins Neighborhoods

Left-turn crashes are a frequent problem in areas like Midtown Fort Collins and around Prospect and Lemay. Drivers turning across traffic often fail to see pedestrians who have the right of way.

We use traffic camera footage, intersection timing reports, and witness interviews to prove the driver failed to yield.

Drivers Who Ignore Weather and Road Conditions

Snow, rain, and poor visibility are common in Fort Collins. When drivers speed or fail to adjust for slick conditions, they lose control and strike pedestrians. Liability still applies, even when the weather is a factor, because drivers must operate vehicles safely at all times.

We gather weather records, accident scene photos, and skid mark evidence to support our claims.

Employers Can Be Held Liable for On-Duty Drivers

When a pedestrian is hit by a commercial vehicle, the employer may share legal responsibility. Delivery companies, construction crews, and utility services all send vehicles through Fort Collins every day. If one of their drivers causes a crash while working, that company can be held accountable.

The U.S. Department of Labor outlines employer obligations when their drivers operate vehicles for business purposes. This includes proper training, supervision, and adherence to safe driving practices.

Delivery Van Crashes in Residential Zones

Companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS often deliver to neighborhoods like Fossil Lake Ranch, Rigden Farm, and Westchase. These vans may block sidewalks, rush through turns, or double park, increasing the risk to pedestrians.

We demand driver logs, dispatch records, and route schedules to show the company’s role in causing the crash.

Contractors and Utility Crews Working Near Streets

Construction and repair crews often block parts of sidewalks or road shoulders without clear signage. If a pedestrian is forced into traffic and gets struck, both the driver and the company creating the hazard may be liable.

Our legal team secures municipal permits, project maps, and public records to show whether safety guidelines were violated.

Fort Collins and Larimer County May Share Fault for Dangerous Road Design

When poor infrastructure contributes to a pedestrian crash, government entities can be held liable. If a crosswalk is not visible, a signal is broken, or traffic patterns are unsafe, the city or county may bear responsibility.

According to the Government Accountability Office, municipalities must maintain roadways to a reasonable safety standard. Failing to do so can open them to legal claims.

Poor Signal Timing and Malfunctioning Pedestrian Buttons

Many intersections in Fort Collins have outdated or non-functional pedestrian signals. Locations near CSU, along Shields Street, and at Timberline and Drake frequently generate complaints.

We investigate signal programming, maintenance logs, and city response times to show the city failed to fix known hazards.

Sidewalk Closures Without Alternative Routes

Construction zones or utility work may close sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into bike lanes or traffic. Without proper detours or signage, these closures increase the risk of injury.

Our firm files public records requests and reviews construction permits to determine if the city or contractor violated pedestrian access rules.

Property Owners Can Be Liable for Crashes on Private Land

Pedestrian accidents do not only occur on public roads. Parking lots, apartment complexes, and shopping centers also create risks. Property owners must maintain lighting, signage, and traffic flow in these areas to keep people safe.

The Colorado Premises Liability Act allows injured pedestrians to seek damages from property owners who fail to keep walkways reasonably safe.

Parking Lot Crashes at Retail Centers

Pedestrians often get struck in busy lots near places like Front Range Village, Foothills Mall, and large grocery stores. Drivers reversing without checking mirrors or speeding through parking aisles cause most of these injuries.

We examine surveillance footage, lighting conditions, and design features to show how poor lot management contributed to the crash.

Apartments and HOA-Controlled Streets

Gated communities and apartment complexes in Fort Collins sometimes maintain their own private roadways and walkways. These areas must still be safe for residents and visitors.

Our team investigates HOA rules, property maintenance records, and community policies to hold owners accountable when hazards cause injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Collins Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian crashes in Fort Collins often leave victims with more questions than answers. Between the medical bills, lost work time, and confusing insurance paperwork, it can be overwhelming to know where to turn next. That is why we have put together the most common questions our Fort Collins pedestrian attorneys hear from injured clients and their families.

This section will help clarify your legal rights and the steps you should take after being hit while walking in Northern Colorado.

How Long Do I Have To File A Pedestrian Accident Claim In Colorado

Colorado law sets a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing personal injury claims. In most pedestrian injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action. However, if the crash involved a government entity, like the City of Fort Collins or Larimer County, you must file a formal notice of claim within 182 days.

This rule applies to claims involving poorly maintained sidewalks, broken pedestrian signals, or unsafe crosswalk designs. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering any compensation. We recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your case.

Can I Still Recover Money If I Was Partly At Fault For The Crash

Yes, you can still pursue compensation even if you share some responsibility. Colorado follows a system called modified comparative negligence. As long as you are not more than 49 percent at fault, you can recover damages. However, your award will be reduced based on your level of fault.

For example, if a jury finds you 20 percent responsible for not using a crosswalk, and your damages total $100,000, you would still receive $80,000. Our team works to minimize any blame placed on you and highlight the driver’s role in causing the crash.

What Should I Do Right After A Pedestrian Accident In Fort Collins

Your health and safety come first. Call 911 and request medical assistance and a police response at the scene. Get checked by emergency personnel, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take time to show symptoms.

If you can, take photos of the vehicle, the scene, your injuries, and any traffic signs or signals. Get the names of witnesses and ask the officer how to get a copy of the police report. Then contact a pedestrian injury attorney right away. Fast action preserves evidence and protects your right to file a claim.

What Damages Can I Recover After A Pedestrian Collision

You may be eligible for compensation covering a wide range of losses. These include current and future medical bills, emergency transportation, surgeries, physical therapy, and mobility aids. Lost wages, reduced earning potential, and home care expenses are also included.

In addition to financial costs, Colorado law allows recovery for pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving extreme recklessness, you may also seek punitive damages. We document every loss in detail to ensure you are fully compensated.

What If The Driver Fled The Scene After Hitting Me

Hit and run pedestrian crashes happen far too often in Fort Collins. If the driver leaves the scene, you still have options. Police will try to locate the suspect using traffic cameras, witness reports, and vehicle descriptions. However, even if the driver is never found, you may file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage.

The Colorado Division of Insurance encourages drivers to carry this protection. It can pay for your injuries and expenses when the responsible driver is unknown or uninsured. Our legal team can handle the entire process for you and work with your insurance provider to secure fair compensation.

Do I Need A Lawyer If The Insurance Company Offers A Settlement

We strongly advise that you do not accept any settlement offer before speaking with a lawyer. Insurance companies often make quick offers that fail to reflect the true value of your injuries and losses. These offers may not cover future medical care, long-term disability, or emotional distress.

Our attorneys evaluate your claim thoroughly and demand full compensation backed by evidence. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we are prepared to take your case to court.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Fort Collins Pedestrian Lawyer

At Levine Law, we represent injured pedestrians on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. There are no hourly fees, retainers, or out-of-pocket legal costs. We also offer free consultations to discuss your case and answer your questions.

This system allows you to focus on healing while we focus on your financial recovery. Our goal is to level the playing field and give you access to experienced legal help, regardless of your income or background.

Talk With A Fort Collins Pedestrian Attorney Who Will Fight For You

When a pedestrian accident disrupts your life, you need more than just medical care. You need strong legal support from a team that understands Fort Collins streets, traffic patterns, and injury law. At Levine Law, we have helped thousands of Colorado residents recover from life-changing injuries caused by reckless drivers, unsafe road design, and corporate negligence.

Our team takes fast, aggressive action to preserve evidence, document your losses, and demand full compensation. From crosswalk crashes near the CSU campus to collisions outside Old Town breweries, we know how to build winning cases in Larimer County.

You do not have to face insurance companies or legal deadlines alone. We will guide you every step of the way, starting with a free, no-pressure consultation. If we take your case, you will not pay a single legal fee unless we win for you.

Now is the time to protect your future. Call Levine Law today or complete our online form to schedule your free case review with a Fort Collins pedestrian accident attorney who puts your recovery first.