The injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision are already tough to deal with. The process becomes even more frustrating when the other vehicle’s driver fails to stop and instead, leaves the accident scene.
Per Colorado law, specifically C.R.S. 42-4-1603, drivers who have been involved in an accident are expected to come to a complete stop and remain at the scene. A motorist must exchange contact and vehicle information with the other driver, and render reasonable assistance to the other driver. If you continue to drive away from the scene and fail to return, you risk being caught and criminally charged with a hit-and-run violation. Such criminal charges are specified in C.R.S. 42-4-1601.
Additionally, a motorist is required to report an accident involving bodily injury, serious bodily injury, death, or property damage to the local police department then remain at the scene while the police investigate, as stated in C.R.S 42-4-1606.
If convicted, the driver’s license of the guilty party will be revoked by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Even if the driver is not convicted in criminal court, the hit-and-run criminal charge is a factor in determining liability for the accident in the civil suit.
There are two common ways. The first is to provide all descriptive information of the other driver and their vehicle to the responding law enforcement officer. The police officer may be able to track down the other driver based on their license plate number or other identifying information. If found, the officer will likely issue the other driver a citation for hit-and-run. The officer will also be able to get insurance information from the other driver, if applicable, during the course of their investigation. If the other driver has auto insurance, you can make a claim on their policy.
The second common way is to make a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage pays for your bodily injury losses caused by a hit-and-run driver. The coverage is optional in Colorado, so you will need to check your automobile insurance policy’s declarations page to verify that the coverage is part of your policy. If you did not reject the coverage in writing, you may still qualify for coverage.
At Tipton Law, an innovative automobile accident lawyer can assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve for the injuries caused as a result of a hit-and-run driver’s conduct.
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