Castle Rock Leaving the Scene of an Accident Attorney

Pedestrian Injured During Hit and Run at a Vigil for Another Hit and Run

In Castle Rock and Douglas County, you have a duty to report a car accident to authorities. There are actually many different statutes that discuss those duties, including:

Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries – C.R.S. 42-4-1601
Accidents Involving Damage – C.R.S. 42-4-1602
Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property – C.R.S. 42-4-1604

Duty Upon Striking Highway Fixtures or Traffic Control Devices – C.R.S. 42-4-1605
Duty to Report Accidents – C.R.S. 42-4-1606

Not stopping and reporting an accident is often known as Leaving the Scene of an Accident or Hit and Run. Police are currently searching for two drivers involved in separate, but related Hit and Run accidents. A crowd was holding a vigil for a bicyclist who had passed away from a Hit and Run incident when a car sped through an intersection and hit one of the pedestrians attending the vigil.

Douglas County Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries Definition

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries – C.R.S. 42-4-1601 – is:

“

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. The driver shall then remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 42-4-1603 (1). Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.”

Because there is a duty to report any accident, not reporting is considered a criminal offense.

Sentence for Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Injury in Highlands Ranch and Parker

In Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker, not reporting an accident involving injury or death is charged as a traffic offense or felony depending on the extent of the injuries. If the accident resulted in bodily injury, it is charged as a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. If a person sustained serious bodily injury, it is charged as a class 4 felony. If someone dies as a result of the accident, it is a class 3 felony.