Have you been criminally charged for leaving the scene of an accident or being involved in a hit and run in Weld County? The top criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office are here to help you. When you are in an accident, there are specific requirements that you must fulfill, or you can face criminal charges. If convicted of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, you can face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on whether there was only property damage or if anyone incurred bodily injury. Below, our attorneys discuss Hit and Run charges and how our skilled attorneys can help you.
Colorado’s Laws on Remaining at the Scene of an Accident
In Colorado, there are several laws that detail a driver’s responsibility when involved in an accident, as well as penalties for leaving the scene. For example, C.R.S. 42-4-1602 describes the procedure for an accident involving damage:
The driver of any vehicle directly involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but 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.
Similarly, C.R.S. 42-4-1601 covers what a driver must do if involved in an accident involving bodily injury or death:
It is important to note that either driver can be held responsible for leaving the scene of an accident. It is not just the duty of the person who was at fault to remain at the scene – anyone else involved in the accident must also remain.
What is a Driver Required to Report After a Car Accident in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley and across Colorado, drivers have several requirements they must fulfill when involved in an accident, depending on whether there was only damage or if there was bodily injury or death. Per C.R.S. 42-4-1603, drivers in an accident must exchange names, addresses, and car registration numbers. If the vehicle was unoccupied, then the driver is required to either notify the vehicle owner, or leave a detailed message with contact information. If someone was injured, the driver is also required to give aid, such as calling for medical assistance. All drivers involved in the accident must remain at the scene until Greeley Police permit them to leave.
Though drivers must remain at the scene of an accident, they can move their vehicle if needed. For example, if the vehicle is blocking traffic, the vehicle can be moved.
Sentences for a Hit and Run in Weld County
In Weld County, the sentences for a Hit and Run depend on whether there was damage to the property or vehicle, if the vehicle was occupied, and if there was bodily injury or death. It is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense if the driver hit an unoccupied vehicle, or there was just damage to the vehicle. A class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense includes penalties of 10-90 days in the Weld County Jail and a fine of $150-$300. If the accident resulted in serious bodily injury, the sentence would be a class 4 felony with penalties of 2-6 years in a Colorado State Prison and a fine of $2,000 -$500,000. If a Hit and Run results in death to another person, the sentence is a class 3 felony with punishments of 4-12 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 -$750,000.
Other penalties for a hit and run can include up to 12 points on your license, which can result in automatic license suspension. Also, a defendant who is convicted of Hit and Run charges could be required to pay restitution to the victim.
Why Hire a Windsor, Greeley, and Milliken, Colorado Traffic Offense Attorneys?
If you have been charged for leaving the scene of an accident, hiring the best attorney should be your top priority. An expert traffic offense attorney in Windsor, Greeley, or Milliken can represent you at the Weld County Courts to protect your future. Misdemeanor and felony traffic offenses can affect your finances, ability to hold a job, and several other aspects of your life. Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience defending traffic offenses in Weld County – let us fight for you.