If you are in a motor vehicle accident in Weld County and commit Hit and Run, it is a crime to Leave the Scene of an Accident. Greeley’s top criminal lawyers advise that this can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the level of injury to another person. The misdemeanor sentence for a Hit and Run charge can impact your driving record, and your license can be suspended. The felony charge and conviction for leaving the scene can result in prison time, fines, court fees, and license revocation. Below, our lawyers discuss a Leaving the Scene of an Accident charge and things you should know. If you are facing charges of a Hit and Run in Fort Collins, click here.
The Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Leaving the Scene of an Accident:
#1 Definition of Leaving the Scene of an Accident
#2 Duty to Give Notice, Information and Aid Requirements
#3 Can You Be Charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident if the Vehicle is Unoccupied?
#4 Hit and Run Conviction Penalties and Sentence
#5 Why Hire Top Weld County Lawyers for a Leaving the Scene of an Accident Charge?
#1 Definition of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, C.R.S. 42-4-1601 and 42-4-1603, in Greeley, Colorado
This law states: “The driver of any vehicle directly involved in an 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.” C.R.S. 42-4-1601. If you don’t stop, you can be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense if the accident injured anyone, a class 4 felony if someone is seriously injured, and a class 3 felony if someone dies. The idea is to require people to stop and help people injured in a car wreck with them. Notice that this law doesn’t say the accident must be your fault – even if the injured or deceased person is at fault, you must stop to help them.
#2 Duty to Give Notice, Information and Aid Requirements in a Greeley Accident, C.R.S. 42-4-1603:
The C.R.S. 42-4-1603 law says, “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person or damage to any vehicle which is driven or attended by any person 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.”
There is also a police reporting requirement under this law: (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.
Simply put, any time there is an accident where there is damage to property, or a person is injured aid needs to be rendered and information needs to be exchanged. If these things do not happen then you could face a Hit and Run charge.
#3 In Weld County Can You Be Charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident if the Vehicle is Unoccupied? C.R.S. 42-4-1602 Hit and Run Law
The simple answer is yes you can be charged, in Weld County, with leaving the scene of an accident even if the vehicle is unoccupied. Under C.R.S. 42-4-1602, you must stop and remain there until police arrive. It is unlawful to not report or notify the owner when there is an accident when there is property damage, to fail to call the Greeley Police or Erie Police.
#4 Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Hit and Run Conviction Penalties and Sentence in Greeley, Colorado
In Greeley, the sentence for Leaving the Scene of an Accident conviction depends on a few things: whether the vehicle was occupied, if there was people injured and whether just property was damaged. If the vehicle was unoccupied and just property was damaged, the sentence is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. Penalties can include 10-90 days in jail, and a fine of $150-$300. If there is a Hit and Run with minor injury the sentence is a class 1 traffic misdemeanor with penalties that can include 10 days – a year in Weld County Jail, and a fine of $300-$1,000. Leaving the Scene of an Accident convictions with serious bodily injury or death are felonies with severe prison penalties.
#5 Why Hire Top Weld County Lawyers for a Leaving the Scene of an Accident Charge?
Talking with top experienced traffic crimes lawyers can get you the get possible outcome in your case. The lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office know all about defenses to Hit and Run, and ways to reduce your charges to a manageable level. Some defenses could be:
- You did not realize property was damaged or anyone was injured
- You were too injured yourself to be able to summon help
- You and the other driver did exchange the required information
- You left the scene to get help
- Accident Alert was in effect, thereby changing the law on Hit and Run
Have you or a loved one been accused of a Hit and Run charge or with Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Weld County? Be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
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