Every driver on the road has a legal and moral duty to operate their vehicle responsibly. When someone makes the reckless decision to drive while impaired, by alcohol, drugs, or both, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash caused by a drunk or drug-impaired driver in Grand Junction, Colorado, you deserve answers, accountability, and full compensation for your losses.

At Slingshot Law, we represent victims of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) and DUI (Driving Under the Influence) crashes throughout Mesa County, including Fruita, Clifton, Orchard Mesa, Palisade, and Downtown Grand Junction. We understand the serious nature of these accidents and the complex legal landscape that follows. Our job is to fight for the justice and financial support you need to recover.

DWI and DUI Injuries in Grand Junction: A Community Problem

What Are DUI and DWI Under Colorado Law?

Its laws make a clear distinction between driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI), though both are treated with utmost severity. In legal terms, a DUI occurs when someone operates a motor vehicle while their ability to drive is substantially impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Similarly, the term DWI is often used interchangeably, but in Colorado, the primary charge is DUI; however, “DWI” remains a familiar shorthand for driving while impaired.

It doesn’t matter if the substance involved is beer from a local brewery, cannabis edibles, prescription sleep aids, or something illicit—the state’s impaired driving statutes apply. Law enforcement relies on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, field sobriety tests, and drug recognition experts to determine impairment. Even a BAC of 0.08% or higher leads to DUI charges, but you can be arrested with a lower BAC if your driving is noticeably affected.

These laws exist to protect everyone on the road and to hold accountable anyone who puts others in harm’s way.
Despite tough laws, drunk and drug-impaired driving remains a major problem in Grand Junction and across Colorado. Crashes involving intoxicated drivers often happen late at night or on weekends, particularly near:

  • North Avenue and Horizon Drive nightlife areas
  • I-70 corridor and Highway 6 & 50
  • Downtown Grand Junction bars and restaurants
  • Rural roads in Mesa County
  • College neighborhoods near CMU (Colorado Mesa University)

Whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, prescription pills, or illegal substances, their reckless behavior can change your life in an instant. DWI crashes often cause catastrophic injuries due to high speeds, head-on collisions, or failure to brake. Victims frequently suffer long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

What Is the Legal THC Limit for Drivers in Colorado?

Colorado law sets a “presumed impairment” threshold for marijuana: if a driver’s blood contains five nanograms or more of active THC per milliliter, they are presumed to be under the influence. However, this isn’t always the final word—drivers have the right to present evidence in court if they believe they were not impaired, even if their THC level was above that limit. This nuanced approach aims to balance public safety with individual circumstances, but it can add complexity to DWI and DUI cases involving marijuana.

How Colorado Law Enforcement Identifies Marijuana-Impaired Drivers

While you may be familiar with breath tests for alcohol, detecting marijuana impairment is a different kind of challenge for Colorado police officers. There’s no “marijuana breathalyzer,” and the law around what qualifies as impairment is less clear-cut than with a blood alcohol concentration.

Instead, officers in Grand Junction and throughout Colorado rely heavily on what they observe and the field sobriety tests they administer. If a driver is weaving, braking erratically, has bloodshot eyes, or is slow to respond, these are classic red flags. Officers are also trained to detect the distinctive odor of marijuana, and they look for other clues like delayed reaction times or confusion when asking questions roadside.

Field sobriety tests—those familiar exercises you see on TV, like walking a straight line or following an object with your eyes—play a key role. These help law enforcement assess whether a driver’s reflexes and mental sharpness have been compromised.

This law adds another layer: if a blood test shows five nanograms or more of THC (the main psychoactive component in marijuana) per milliliter, that creates a legal presumption the driver is impaired. But this is not an absolute rule. Drivers can challenge these results in court and argue they weren’t actually impaired at the time of the stop—a reality that brings extra complexity to marijuana-related DWI cases.

How a DWI Injury Lawyer Helps Victims

Victims of drunk driving accidents often assume that because the at-fault driver is facing criminal charges, their rights will be protected. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The criminal justice system focuses on punishing the driver, not compensating victims.

That’s where a DWI injury attorney in Grand Junction comes in. We pursue a separate civil claim for compensation while law enforcement handles the criminal prosecution. Here’s how we help:

1. Investigating the Crash

We work quickly to gather and preserve evidence, including:

  • Police reports and arrest records
  • Blood alcohol test (BAC) and toxicology results
  • Dashcam and surveillance footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Accident reconstruction and crash analysis

We may also subpoena bar receipts, text messages, or prior DUI history to prove the driver’s impairment and recklessness.

2. Proving Liability and Pursuing Damages

Unlike typical car accident cases, DWI injury claims often involve aggravated negligence or gross misconduct. This opens the door to punitive damages in addition to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Slingshot Law works to recover damages such as:

  • Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
  • Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Property damage
  • Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed

We also pursue punitive damages in eligible cases to punish the drunk driver and deter similar conduct.

3. Navigating Colorado’s DWI Injury Laws

Colorado allows DWI victims to pursue civil damages under both traditional personal injury laws and enhanced statutes related to impaired driving. An experienced local lawyer can help you:

  • Coordinate with law enforcement and prosecutors
  • Understand how criminal convictions impact your civil case
  • Meet strict filing deadlines under Colorado’s statute of limitations
  • Respond to insurance company tactics and bad-faith settlement offers

We’re familiar with Mesa County District Court, local prosecutors, and the insurance companies that handle DWI claims in the Grand Valley.

Can You Challenge DUI Charges in Colorado?

Absolutely. Many people don’t realize that DUI and DWI charges in Colorado are not always cut-and-dried. There are effective ways to challenge the prosecutor’s case—and sometimes, that can mean a reduced charge, lighter penalties, or even a complete dismissal.

Your defense can focus on several strategies, such as:

  • Questioning the traffic stop: Was there a lawful reason for the officer to pull you over?
  • Challenging field sobriety and BAC tests: Were the tests administered correctly? Is the science behind the results reliable?
  • Spotting procedural errors: Did law enforcement follow required protocols during arrest or evidence collection?
  • Medical and alternative explanations: Certain health conditions or prescription medications can sometimes cause inaccurate results on breathalyzers or physical tests.

Depending on the facts, challenging your DUI charge might result in:

  • The case being dismissed
  • Charges being reduced (to reckless driving, for instance)
  • Lesser penalties, such as probation instead of jail time

If you’re facing a DUI or DWI in Mesa County—including Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, or anywhere nearby—it’s important to act quickly and work with a lawyer who understands both the local courts and the science behind these cases.

What Makes DWI Injury Cases Different?

  • Higher speeds and impact forces: Impaired drivers often fail to brake or react appropriately.
  • More severe injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal trauma are common.
  • Greater emotional toll: Victims often experience PTSD, depression, or anxiety after being hit by a drunk driver.
  • Potential for multiple liable parties: In some cases, a bar, restaurant, or social host may be held liable under Colorado’s Dram Shop Law if they overserved the intoxicated driver.
  • Punitive damages: These are designed to punish egregious conduct and are only available in certain cases, such as DWI-related crashes.

Common Injuries in Grand Junction DWI Crashes

We represent clients suffering from:

  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Neck and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Broken bones and orthopedic trauma
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Burns and facial injuries
  • Amputations or permanent disability
  • Fatal injuries and wrongful death

We work with medical experts and local providers, including St. Mary’s Medical Center, Community Hospital, and Colorado Injury & Pain Center, to document the full extent of your injuries.

What to Do After a DWI Accident in Grand Junction

  1. Call 911 and report the crash
  2. Seek emergency medical treatment, even if you feel “fine.”
  3. Tell officers if you suspect the driver was impaired
  4. Get the police report number and witness contact information
  5. Do not speak to the insurance company alone
  6. Call Slingshot Law for a free consultation

The sooner we get involved, the more evidence we can protect—and the stronger your case will be.

Why Choose Slingshot Law?

Local Experience. Local Results.

We’re based in Grand Junction and proudly serve clients across Mesa County. We know the streets, the courts, the insurance companies, and the tactics they use to delay or deny claims.

We Fight for Justice

At Slingshot Law, we believe that drunk and impaired drivers must be held accountable—not just in criminal court, but through meaningful compensation to their victims. We handle everything from negotiating with insurers to filing lawsuits and preparing for trial.

No Upfront Fees

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. That gives you access to quality legal representation with no financial risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a DWI injury claim in Colorado?
 Generally, two years from the date of the crash for personal injury. However, it’s best to act immediately to preserve evidence and witnesses.

Can I file a civil case even if the driver wasn’t convicted?
 Yes. Civil cases require a lower burden of proof, and you can win even if the driver avoids criminal conviction.

What if I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance?
 We’ll explore uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and other sources of compensation.

Can a bar or restaurant be held liable?
 Possibly. Under Colorado’s Dram Shop Law, establishments that serve visibly intoxicated individuals can be held responsible if those patrons cause injury.

Talk to a Grand Junction DWI Injury Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was hurt by a drunk or impaired driver in Grand Junction, Fruita, Clifton, Palisade, or anywhere in Mesa County, don’t wait to get help. At Slingshot Law, we’re committed to fighting for crash victims and making our community safer.

Call us today or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.