Hit and Run Accidents Injury Attorney Denver, Colorado
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ToggleThe injuries one suffers from a motor vehicle accident are difficult enough to deal with. Add in the knowledge the driver of a vehicle didn’t have the decency to stop and help, thus committing hit and run, and you have even more emotional and mental anguish with which you must cope.
In Colorado, being a hit-and-run driver is not only negligent, but it’s also a crime. As the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you have a right to pursue justice both in criminal court and civil court. An experienced Denver County hit-and-run accident lawyer can help you in civil court by fighting for the maximum compensation your hit-and-run accident case needs.
Attorney for Victims of Hit and Run Accidents in Denver, CO
Were you seriously injured or was your loved one killed by a driver who left the scene of the collision? Donaldson Law, LLC fights to get justice for clients in and around the Mile High City, including Boulder, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Littleton, Thornton, Westminster, Longmont, and Centennial.
Jennifer Donaldson is a Colorado hit and runs accident attorney with 30 years of civil litigation experience. Call (303) 458-5000 right now to have her review your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Definition of a Hit and Run Accident in Colorado
Hit and run accidents in Colorado are defined by C.R.S § 42-4-1601 and C.R.S § 42-4-1603. The first statute designates the failure to stop or return to the scene and provide information and/or render aid after being directly involved in an accident with injury or death to a person as a crime. The second statute defines the duty of a driver at the scene of an accident he or she was involved in.
According to C.R.S § 42-4-1603, it is the duty of the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in property damage, injury to a person, or death of a person to stop and give the following information to either the other driver or any occupant of that vehicle:
- Name;
- Address;
- Vehicle Registration Number; and
- Driver’s License Information (On Request).
Additionally, it is also the duty of the driver to provide reasonable assistance when practical to an injured person at the scene, including transporting him or her to a medical facility or making arrangements for such transportation. Failure to stop and give information and render aid according to these statutes is the Colorado definition of hit and run.
Hit and run is also a contributing factor to negligence, even if the alleged offender is not convicted in criminal court. An experienced Denver car accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need for the injuries sustained due to the actions of a hit-and-run driver.
Under the policies of the Denver Police Department, when an Accident Alert is in effect, the police officers in Denver, CO, will only respond if the following circumstances exist:
- The traffic crash involves on-duty City personnel or there is damage to public property.
- Any of the involved drivers do not have a valid driver’s license.
- Any of the involved drivers fail to remain on the scene (often called the hit-and-run crash).
- The crash involves a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol (DUI).
- Damaged vehicles caused the street to be closed.
- The crash involves a fatality or injury requiring medical attention.
Injuries Frequently Suffered in Denver Hit and Run Accidents
The circumstances of a hit and run are what define the injuries most likely to be sustained in the accident. A pedestrian or a motorcyclist, for instance, will suffer different injuries than the driver of a sedan at low speed. The hit-and-run trend in Denver indicates a rising number of pedestrian accidents in addition to those involving other motor vehicles. Therefore, some of the more common injuries seen in Denver-area hit-and-run accidents include:
- Lacerations, abrasions, and road rash;
- Contusions;
- Burns;
- Whiplash;
- Nerve damage;
- Internal bleeding;
- Fractures and broken bones;
- Head injuries;
- Neck injuries;
- Back Injuries;
- Concussion or other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); and
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs).
Any one of these injuries can have a lasting physical or financial impact on your way of life. Because of Colorado’s modified comparative negligence standard, obtaining the compensation you need from the hit-and-run driver’s negligent actions may be more complicated than you think. An experienced Denver County hit-and-run accident attorney serving Denver County can help you fight to get the maximum compensation available in your case.
Additional Resources
Hit and Run Reports to the Denver Police Department – Visit the website of the Denver Police Department to learn more about traffic enforcement and how to report a hit-and-run accident now. After a traffic accident or crash with any other object or another bicyclist, building, pedestrian, or vehicle, the law in Colorado requires that all drivers involved in the crash give their name, address, and vehicle registration information to any victim involved in the crash. The driver must show their driver’s license to anyone who asks to see it. Except for cases when an “Accident Alert” has been declared, the driver must stop and report the crash to the local district police station. Find information on reporting a crash during an accident alert. An “Accident Alert” is announced when severe traffic conditions because of poor weather or another community emergency are so serious that police officers are unable to respond to the volume of motor vehicle crashes.
Requesting an Accident Record in Denver – Visit the records page of the Denver Police Department to order accident records or for information pertaining to an accident report. Call (720) 913-6029 to get the accident report case number between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call the records section of the Denver Police Department to find information about a hit and run crash involving serious personal injury, death, or a fatality. The website shows information about the hit and runs cases that occurred yesterday.
Yesterday’s Hit and Run Cases in Denver – Visit the website for CBS Local Media Denver, a division of CBS Radio Inc., to find information about the hit and run cases that occurred yesterday that are still under investigation as well as criminal cases being prosecuted in the courtrooms throughout Denver, Colorado.
We also offer the following practice areas at Donaldson law LLC:
- Rear-End Impact Accidents
- Reckless Driver Accidents
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Underinsured / Uninsured Motorist Accidents
- Low Speed Impact Crash
- High Speed Impact Accident
- Passenger Injury Accidents
- Side Impact Collisions
- Winter Driving Collision Resource
- Distracted Driver Accidents
- Denver, Colorado Uber Accidents
- Teenage Driving Accident
- Underage DUI
Contact Our Denver, Colorado Hit and Run Accidents Lawyer at Donaldson Law, LLC For Your Free Consultation Today
If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed after being struck by a Colorado driver who fled the scene of the collision, it is in your best interest to immediately seek legal counsel. Donaldson Law, LLC helps car accident victims throughout communities in Jefferson County, Denver County, Boulder County, Arapahoe County, and Adams County.
Denver personal injury lawyer Jennifer Donaldson has more than a quarter-century of legal experience that includes thorough investigations of accident scenes. You can have her review your case and discuss your options when you call (303) 458-5000 or by submitting an online form today to schedule a free consultation.
Hit and Run Accident FAQs
What can I do about a hit and run accident?
Colorado drivers who are involved in an accident must legally stay at the scene to assess the damages and any injuries sustained by the other parties. If a driver hits you or your car and leaves the scene, move your car to a safe place (if possible), and call 911. The responding officer will create a police report to record the details of the crash, and any information you can recall about the other driver, their vehicle, and what caused the crash to occur.If the driver of the other car is not located, you may still be able to pursue a claim under your auto insurance policy for your damages using the uninsured/underinsured coverage purchased with your policy.
Who pays for my injuries in a hit and run accident?
Since there is no other driver that can be held liable for your financial recovery, you may pursue your auto insurance policy for your damages using the uninsured/underinsured coverage purchased with your policy. Isn’t this the same as above???
Why do I need a personal injury attorney for a hit and run accident?
If you are involved in a hit and run car crash and have sustained injuries, you can make a claim under your automobile insurance if you have uninsured motorists’ coverage. You will need to provide all information available to your insurance company to prove that the crash was caused by the other driver, such as the traffic accident report and witness statements, as well as all documents proving the nature and extent of your injuries and damages.Partnering with a skilled personal injury lawyer will allow you to focus on your recovery while the firm pursues the best financial outcome for your unique case.
How long do I have to file a hit and run claim?
Injury victims have three years from the date the accident occurred to file a personal injury claim in Colorado — even when it is a hit and run claim.
What should I do if I am injured in a hit and run accident?
Seek medical care right away and follow all physician’s orders throughout your treatment plan, so you can achieve maximum physical recovery. Contact our Colorado personal injury attorneys to discuss your injuries and overall financial recovery needs, so we can go to work for you.