In Denver, Kit Carson County and every other county of Colorado, Colorado law has specific requirements you must follow if you've been involved in an accident. Those requirements are all listed under the following statutes:
- Duty to Report Accidents, C.R.S. 42-4-1606
- Duty to Give Notice, Information, and Aid, C.R.S. 42-4-1603
- Accidents Involving Damage, C.R.S. 42-4-1602
- Duty Upon Striking Highway Fixtures or Traffic Control Devices, C.R.S. 42-4-1605
- Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, C.R.S. 42-4-1601
- Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property, C.R.S. 42-4-1604
If you violate any of the statutes listed above after being in an accident, you could be charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Hit and Run), C.R.S. 42-4-1601. Let's look more closely at how these traffic crimes are charged individually across Colorado.
Facing Hit and Run charges?
Duty to Report Accidents in Douglas County, Colorado – A Traffic Attorney's Definition
In Castle Rock, Larkspur, Douglas County, and everywhere else in Colorado, the definition of Duty to Report Accidents, C.R.S. 42-4-1606, is:
“The driver of any vehicle directly involved in an accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person or any property damage shall, after fulfilling the requirements of sections 42-4-1602 and 42-4-1603 (1), give immediate notice of the location of such accident and such other information as is specified in section 42-4-1603 (2) to the nearest office of the duly authorized police authority and, if so directed by the police authority, shall immediately return to and remain at the scene of the accident until said police have arrived at the scene and completed their investigation thereat.”
Anyone who violates this statute commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
Duty to Give Notice, Information, and Aid in Arapahoe County and Across Colorado – Your Defense Lawyer
In Glendale, Arapahoe County and everywhere else in Colorado, the definition of Duty to Give Notice, Information and Aid, C.R.S. 42-4-1603, is:
“(1) 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.”
(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.”
Accidents Involving Damage in Adams County, Colorado – An Attorney Details What to do After an Accident
In Brighton, Adams County and across Colorado, the definition of Accidents Involving Damage, C.R.S. 42-4-1602, is:
“(1) 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. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection (1) commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
(2) When an accident occurs on the traveled portion, median, or ramp of a divided highway and each vehicle involved can be safely driven, each driver shall move such driver's vehicle as soon as practicable off the traveled portion, median, or ramp to a frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location to fulfill the requirements of section 42-4-1603.”
Colorado Definition of Duty Upon Striking Highway Fixtures or Traffic Control Devices, C.R.S. 42-4-1605 – A Denver Lawyer Explains the Basic Law
In Denver, Englewood, Aurora and everywhere else in Colorado, the definition of Duty Upon Striking Highway Fixtures or Traffic Control Devices, C.R.S. 42-4-1605, is:
“The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to fixtures or traffic control devices upon or adjacent to a highway shall notify the road authority in charge of such property of that fact and of the driver's name and address and of the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving and shall make report of such accident when and as required in section 42-4-1606. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.”
Denver County Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury Lawyer: Definition of Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury – Prison is a Possibility
Across Colorado, the definition of Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury, 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.”
If you violate the requirements listed in this statute, you could face:
- A class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense if the accident resulted in injury to any person;
- A class 4 felony if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to any person;
- A class 3 felony if the accident resulted in the death of any person.
- A class 3 felony if the accident resulted in the death of any person.”
Your driver's license will also be revoked if convicted.
Jefferson County Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property – Hire a Traffic Defense Attorney
In Golden and Jefferson County, Colorado, the definition of Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle or Other Property, C.R.S. 42-4-1604 is:
“The driver of any vehicle which collides with or is involved in an accident with any vehicle or other property which is unattended resulting in any damage to such vehicle or other property shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle or other property of such fact, the driver's name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving or attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on such vehicle or other property a written notice giving the driver's name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving. The driver shall also make report of such accident when and as required in section 42-4-1606. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. This section shall not apply to the striking of highway fixtures or traffic control devices which shall be governed by the provisions of section 42-4-1605. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.”
Charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Colorado? Call Our Attorneys
If you've been charged for violating any of the above statutes in Denver or anywhere else in Colorado, contact our experienced traffic crime attorneys right away. In addition to possible jail or prison time, your driving rights could be jeopardized. Don't put your future on the line by fighting any charges or accusations alone. Instead, call our office to schedule a free initial consultation with our lawyers, so we can begin planning your defense.
Get Help Now
If you or someone you love has been charged with Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury, or Leaving the Scene of an Accident / Hit and Run in Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future. Request a Free Consultation
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