Colorado Law on Accidents Involving Damage | Greeley Traffic Crime Lawyer

Sometimes in Greeley, you’re in an Accident Involving Damage. No one gets hurt or dies, but both cars and damaged. What used to be known as Leaving the Scene of an Accident has evolved into several different traffic laws to distinguish various kinds of damage or injuries which collisions and crashes cause. If someone is hurt or someone has died as a result of the accident, it is the law known as Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries. If you accidentally scratch someone’s car and the owner isn’t there, you still need to take responsibility under the law on Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property, or you can be criminally charged. So, it is very important that you’re aware of what you need to do when you’re in an accident of any kind. When facing any of these charges, contact our criminal defense attorneys who can help defend your case.

Your Duty When in an Accident Involving Damage, C.R.S. 42-4-1602, in Weld County

In Weld County, an Accident Involving Damage, C.R.S. 42-4-1602, is when:

(1) The driver of any vehicle is directly involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person. Those involved shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible, and shall immediately return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of such accident, except in the circumstances provided in subsection (2) of this section, until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 42-4-1603. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

(2)  When an accident occurs on the traveled portion, median, or ramp of a divided highway and each vehicle involved can be safely driven, each driver shall move such driver’s vehicle as soon as practicable off the traveled portion, median, or ramp to a frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location to fulfill the requirements of section 42-4-1603.

Basically, if you’re in a fender bender with someone, and the only thing damaged are the cars involved, you still have a duty to report what happened, and to move the vehicles from the flow of traffic.

Greeley Duty to give Notice, Information, and Aid, C.R.S. 42-4-1603

The statute above requires that you still must follow through with Greeley’s Duty to Give Notice, Information, and Aid, C.R.S. 42-4-1603. That law specifically requires that the drivers involved in the accident:

(1)  shall give the driver’s name, the driver’s address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving and shall upon request exhibit his or her driver’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with and where practical shall render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if the carrying is requested by the injured person.

(2)  In the event that none of the persons specified are in condition to receive the information to which they otherwise would be entitled under subsection (1) of this section and no police officer is present, the driver of any vehicle involved in such accident after fulfilling all other requirements of subsection (1) of this section, insofar as possible on the driver’s part to be performed, shall immediately report such accident to the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority as required in section 42-4-1606 and submit thereto the information specified in subsection (1) of this section.

This statute outlines a person’s duty to provide their contact information, and to help an injured person when they’ve been in a Greeley, Colorado accident. This statute is applied for Accidents Involving Damage, and Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury.

Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property, C.R.S. 42-4-1604, in Weld County, Windsor, and Dacono

Furthermore, if you’re charged with Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property, C.R.S, 42-4-1604, in Weld County, Windsor, and Dacono, you still have a duty to provide your information even though the owner isn’t there. If you are accused of not tying to find the owner or not leaving your information, you risk facing a misdemeanor traffic offense. The requirements of this statute state:

The driver of any vehicle which collides with or is involved in an accident with any vehicle or other property which is unattended resulting in any damage to such vehicle or other property shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle or other property of such fact, the driver’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving or attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on such vehicle or other property a written notice giving the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving. The driver shall also make report of such accident when and as required in section 42-4-1606. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

So even when in accidents with an unattended vehicle, you still must report it, and provide your information to the owner of the vehicle as best you can.

In a Car Accident Involving Damage in Greeley, Longmont, and Frederick

When you’re in an Accident involving Damage in Greeley, Longmont, and Frederick, there are a few things you need to do in order to avoid criminal charges against you. When in any accident, you should always:

  • Immediately stop and move the affected vehicles out of the way of traffic, but as close to the scene of the accident as you can.
  • Remain at the scene of the accident.
  • Provide your information to the other people involved
    • Driver’s name
    • Driver’s address
    • Vehicle’s registration number
    • Driver’s license
  • Report the accident to Greeley police

If you fail to do any of the above, you risk facing further consequences. However, if the Greeley, Colorado police do become involved afterward, we always recommend exercising your right to remain silent. Officers are known to threaten and bully our clients into admitting they were the driver, because it is difficult to prosecute them if they can’t prove you were the driver. If any officer tries this tactic on you, call the O’Malley Law Office, where an experienced criminal defense attorney can battle these charges for you.

Sentence for Failing Your Duties When in an Accident Involving Damage in Weld County, Brighton, and Firestone

When you’re sentenced for failing your Duties when in an Accident Involving Damage in Weld County, Brighton, and Firestone, you face the consequences for a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. Whether the accident caused only damage, you are accused of striking an unattended vehicle, or you have failed to report an accident, each will be punished with a class 2 traffic misdemeanor in Weld County.

The penalties for a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense are:

Accused of Violating Accident Involving Damage in Greeley or Weld County Law?

If you’re accused of failing your duties when in an Accident Involving Damage in Greeley or Weld County, you’ll need the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer from the O’Malley Law Office.

When Greeley police are asking you about an Accident Involving Damage, don’t admit you were the driver. Admitting guilty makes it easier for officers to officially charge you and the DA to prosecute you. The best thing you can do for yourself is to call the O’Malley Law Office.

Call 970-616-6009 or fill out the Get Help Now form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced traffic crimes lawyer in the Greeley and Weld County area today.

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