Leaving the Scene of an Accident Lawyer in El Paso County, CO

Leaving the scene of a traffic accident is unlawful in El Paso County, and throughout Colorado. Specific duties are required of all drivers, even in accidents where no one is injured. In situations where serious injury or even death occur, a hit and run can elevate to a serious felony charge. Car accidents can be upsetting and may result in a poor choice in the heat of the moment. Representation from an experienced leaving the scene of an accident lawyer can prove invaluable in these traffic crimes.

Responsibilities After a Traffic Accident | El Paso County Defense Attorney

Colorado drivers must stay at the scene of an accident in Colorado Springs. The only exceptions include:

a driver leaving to report the accident to law enforcement
the other vehicle is unoccupied (must leave information & call police)
leaving due to a severe personal injury that requires immediate medical assistance

Additionally, a driver can lawfully move their car a small distance after an accident to avoid blocking other traffic. If the accident results in injury, drivers must also provide reasonable assistance to the injured party. This can include calling an ambulance for the injured person so they can be seen by a medical professional.

In scenarios where damage occurs to an unoccupied car or other property, drivers must locate and notify the owner, or leave a note in a noticeable place. Including your name, address, and vehicle registration number on the note is a requirement as well.

Sentencing for Leaving the Scene of an Accident in El Paso County, CO

The determining factors surrounding a hit and run conviction are whether the vehicle was occupied, damaged, or anyone suffered injury. Below is a brief outline of the potential consequences of conviction:

unoccupied vehicle = class 2 misdemeanor (10 – 90 days in county jail / $150 – $300 fine)
hit and run resulting in injury = class 1 misdemeanor (10 – 90 days in county jail / $300 – $1,000 fine)
hit and run resulting in serious bodily injury = class 4 felony (2 – 6 years in prison / $2,000 – $500,000 fine)
leaving the scene resulting in death = class 3 felony (4 – 12 years in prison / $3,000 – $750,000 fine)

Conviction of a hit and run in Colorado Springs can also negatively impact your Colorado driver’s license with a 12 point penalty.

El Paso County Traffic Attorney

It is not uncommon for those involved in a traffic accident to panic and not exercise clear judgement. It can be difficult to assess how serious an accident is in the moments immediately following a crash. With consequences that can reach felony range, contacting a skilled leaving the scene of an accident lawyer is especially crucial. Contact our office for a free consultation where we will carefully analyze your case and outline next steps.