As you may have heard, the word “selfie” is now a word commonly used by people taking photos of themselves. It's a popular thing to do when you're traveling, eating exotic food, or spending time with your significant other. It's not such a popular thing to do when you're driving. For example, in a recent news story I read, a man was driving with seven other passengers when they decided to take a group selfie. The driver didn't want to be left out of it, so he leaned in as the photo was being taken. As he leaned in for the photo, he ended up driving off the road and running into a tree. Four passengers in the car were injured as a result. One suffered from a fractured nose and cuts, while another suffered from possible neck / back injuries. The other two passengers had cuts near their eyes and backs. In Denver and Arapahoe County, the driver would face charges of Careless Driving.

Careless Driving in Denver and Aurora, Colorado

The definition of Careless Driving, C.R.S. 42-4-1402, in Denver, Aurora and across Colorado is:

“A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or low-powered scooter in a careless and imprudent manner, without due regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and use of the streets and highways and all other attendant circumstances, is guilty of careless driving.”

When the driver leaned in for the selfie, he was no longer paying attention to the road. And, he ended up causing an accident that caused injuries to his passengers. A Denver police officer may ticket him for driving in a careless and imprudent manner, without regard for his passengers' safety. Careless Driving is normally charged as a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense in Colorado, but if a defendant's actions are the proximate cause of bodily injury to another, such person commits a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. Bodily injury includes “physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical or mental condition” (18-1-901(3)(c)).

Careless Driving is a “Catch-All” Crime in Jefferson County

Careless Driving is a “catch-all” crime in Jefferson County and across Colorado.

Careless Driving is a “catch-all” crime in Jefferson and Douglas County. This means police often write tickets for Careless Driving when they feel nothing else fits a crime committed. Jefferson County police officers also give out Careless Driving citations in a motor vehicle accident because the Careless Driving statute is so broad.  This “catch-all” crime makes it easy for defendants to be overcharged when they're involved in a motor vehicle accident. That's where a criminal defense lawyer is vital, because the Careless Driving statute can be interpreted in so many ways. Don't risk facing Jefferson County jail time or getting points taken off your license if you've been ticketed for Careless Driving in Colorado. Instead, contact one of our exceptional criminal defense attorneys to protect your future.

Get Help Now

If a police officer tickets you for Careless Driving or any other traffic offense in Denver, Aurora, or Englewood, Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense lawyers at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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