Hit and Run / Leaving Scene of Accident in Castle Rock
C.R.S. 42-4-1601
The law on Hit and Run, Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident, C.R.S. 42-4-1601, in Castle Rock states that a driver involved in an accident resulting in someone’s injury or death, must stop at the scene of the accident or as close to the scene of the accident as possible. When the driver returns to the scene of the accident, they must provide required information and render assistance to anyone injured. Failure to abide by the requirements under this law will lead to a 12 point traffic violation and the loss of their driver’s license.
Your Duties if You are Involved in an Accident in Castle Rock, CO
If you are involved in an accident in Castle Rock that involves the injury or death of another, you are required by law to:
- Immediately stop at the scene of the accident (or as close as safely possible without obstructing traffic more than necessary, and return to the scene)
- Give your name
- Give your address
- Give the registration number of the vehicle you are driving
- Upon request, show your driver’s license to the person you hit (or the person driving or watching the car)
- Give reasonable assistance to the injured person if necessary or requested
If the people involved in the accident are not in condition to take this information and there are no Castle Rock Police Officers present, you are required to call the police and immediately report the accident and give them the information instead (C.R.S. 42-4-1603).
Penalty for Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Douglas County
In Douglas County and throughout Colorado, leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run) and thus failing to perform the required duties when involved in an accident that resulted in death or personal injury has serious penalties, that will range depending on the severity of the injury: If the accident resulted in injury to any personClass 1 Misdemeanor Traffic Offense, punishable by 10 days to 12 months in jail and/or a fine between $300 and $1,000. If the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to any personClass 4 felony, penalties range from 2 – 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and fines between $2,000 and $500,000. If the accident resulted in the death of any personClass 3 felony – Sentences can include 4 – 12 years in prison and a fine ranging from $3,000 to $750,000.
Any of these scenarios also include the added punishment of your driver’s license being revoked if you are convicted, as well as a term of mandatory parole.
C.R.S. 42-4-1601. Accidents involving death or personal injuries – duties
(1) 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.(1.5) It shall not be an offense under this section if a driver, after fulfilling the requirements of subsection (1) of this section and of section 42-4-1603 (1), leaves the scene of the accident for the purpose of reporting the accident in accordance with the provisions of sections 42-4-1603 (2) and 42-4-1606.(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits:(a) A class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense if the accident resulted in injury to any person;(b) A class 4 felony if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to any person;(c) A class 3 felony if the accident resulted in the death of any person.(3) The department shall revoke the driver’s license of the person so convicted. A revocation pursuant to this subsection (3) runs concurrently with any suspension imposed pursuant to section 42-2-127.9, if imposed as a result of the same episode of driving.(4) As used in this section and sections 42-4-1603 and 42-4-1606:(a) “Injury” means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical or mental condition.(b) “Serious bodily injury” means injury that involves, either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, a substantial risk of death, a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, or a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body, or breaks, fractures, or burns of the second or third degree.
Charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Douglas County?
Call us at 303-265-1950
If you are facing charges after leaving the scene of an auto accident in Douglas County, or any other traffic offense, contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group today at 303-265-1950. Together, we can protect your future.