Any auto accident, even a minor one can be very traumatic. But if you were involved in an accident that may have been your fault, and you didn’t stop to talk to the other party, you could face criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run).
After an accident, adrenaline is high and you may not make the best decisions. Perhaps you were frightened after the accident and didn’t know what to do. But if you were arrested, cited on the spot, or received a criminal citation in the mail, I know you are scared to be facing criminal charges. You must appear in court, and defend your actions, and possibly face serious criminal penalties under Colorado hit and run laws.
The right lawyer can be critical in helping you through this difficult legal situation. We have experience in cases like yourse. We know how to represent people accused of hit and run – we have done it successfully many times before.
All hit and run charges are different, and the exact circumstances about what happened, and how you acted are crucial. We want to know what happened in your case and how the accident occurred. The more we know about what happened to you, the better we can protect you under our system of justice.
Don’t go into court without someone on your side. Contact us for a free consultation for advice on cases like yours, and find out what we can do to help you.
What is “Duty to Stop” ?
After an accident you are required to stop your vehicle as soon as possible and remain at the scene until certain things are complete. You must exchange information with the other driver, or in more serious accidents, you must remain on the scene until law enforcement responds.
If someone is injured in the accident, you are required to provide reasonable assistance. This means you should help make sure an ambulance is called or do your best to accommodate the injured party until help arrives.
If you fail to stop and complete your legally required duties you may be facing criminal charges.
The charge you face depends on the result of the accident. Accidents involving injuries are obviously seen as more serious than accidents with only property damage.
Colorado Hit and Run Criminal Penalties
If the accident only involves property damage:
It is a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.
If the accident causes injury to someone:
It is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail and $5,000 in fines.
If the accident causes serious bodily injury to someone:
It is a Class 5 felony punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and fines reaching $500,000.
If the accident results in a death:
It is a Class 3 felony punishable by 4 to 12 years in prison and fines reaching $750,000.
Ref: CRS 42-4-16
Colorado Hit and Run Charge? Get Legal Advice on Your Criminal Case
Hit and Run is a serious offense. As if an auto accident isn’t stressful enough, criminal charges make it much worse.
We know the kind of stress you are under. Your case needs an aggressive attorney on it, to protect your interests, and make sure your side of the story is heard. We pledge to work diligently to get you the best possible results in court.
Whatever happened, you deserve fair treatment under the law. Call our experienced defense lawyers to discuss your hit and run charge today.