Have you been accused of Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Greeley? Leaving the Scene of an Accident or a Hit and Run as it is sometimes called, is a serious offense where you can lose your driver’s license. The lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office will learn the details of your case and fight to obtain the best result. For example, did you know the government must prove you were the driver of the vehicle involved? Never admit anything to police. In the below blog, our lawyers with more than 30 years of experienced of criminal defense knowledge will discuss what you need to know about Leaving the Scene of an Accident. If you are facing these charges in Larimer County or Fort Collins, you can find help here.
Weld County Laws that Could Lead to Leaving the Scene of an Accident
In Weld County, there are legal duties a driver must comply with after there is a traffic accident. When an accident occurs, the drivers involved are to give notice, information, and aid. Some of the statues that could be violated if a driver leaves an accident scene are:
- Duty to Report Accidents – C.R.S. 42-4-1606
- Duty to Give Notice, Information, and Aid – C.R.S. 42-4-1603
- Accidents Involving Damage – C.R.S. 42-4-1602
- Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury – C.R.S. 42-4-1601
Definition of Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Colorado
In Colorado, the definition of Leaving the Scene of an Accident is defined by whether damage, injury or death occurred. The definitions are:
The Greeley Definition of Leaving the Scene of an Accident when damage has occurred is:
The Weld County Definition of Leaving the Scene of an Accident when an injury or death has occurred is:
[su_qutoe]The driver of any vehicle directly involved in a Weld County accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close to the scene as possible or shall immediately return to the scene of the accident. The driver shall then remain at the scene of the accident.[/su_quote]Sentence and Penalties of a Hit and Run in Greeley, Colorado
The sentence and penalties of a Hit and Run or Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Greeley, are based on whether the other vehicle or property was occupied, if the other vehicle or property was damaged, and whether anyone involved was injured, sustained serious bodily injury, or died. For instance, an unoccupied car that is damaged and not reported is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. Penalties for this can include 10-90 days in Weld County Jail, and/or a fine of $150-$300. At the other end of the penalty range, the most severe involves you Leaving the Scene of an Accident in which someone dies. Then, you’d be charged with committing a class 3 felony. Penalties for a hit and run resulting in death can include 4-12 years in prison, and a fine of $3,000-$750,000. There can be other consequences of a hit-and-run conviction. The Department of Motor Vehicles will add 12 points to your driving record and possibly revoke your license. The Weld County Courts will also award a victim Restitution for the medical bills, car repairs, or other losses that the victim suffers.
Why Hire an Experienced Weld County Lawyer to Defend a Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Defenses to the Charge?
If you are facing a Leaving the Scene of an Accident charge in Weld County, you will need Greeley’s top traffic lawyers to aggressively fight for you. Facing a Hit and Run charge can result in loss of job, income, license, and result in a criminal record. While every case is different, common defenses to a Leaving the Scene of an Accident charge are:
- You were not aware of your actions
- You needed medical attention and were too seriously injured to remain on the scene or report the accident
- You left the scene to look for a Greeley Police Officer or get help for someone who was injured
- You didn’t realize anyone was injured or property was damaged
- No one was injured and you left a note
- It was an unsafe situation and you had to leave the scene for your own safety
If you or a loved one has been charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Greeley or Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
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