Hit & Run Pedestrian Accidents

Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law in Colorado. The criminal penalties associated with committing a hit-and-run accident vary depending on whether anyone suffered bodily injuries, or whether the accident resulted in property damage only. However, in either incident leaving the scene of the crash is a criminal offense with penalties including possible imprisonment. When someone causing an accident injuring another person and they flee the scene of the crash, this reasonably suggests a number of reasons why they left – including possible intoxication, drugs in the vehicle, illegal weapons in the vehicle, outstanding criminal warrants and/or just trying to evade the police and consequences of their actions.

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident and subsequently failing to provide information or assistance to others carries with it the following legal consequences:

Injury

Leaving the scene of an accident in which another person was injured is a Class 1 misdemeanor with a possible penalty of up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Serious Bodily Injury

Committing a hit and run after another person suffered a serious bodily injury is a Class 4 felony with a possible penalty of up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Death

A hit and run in Colorado involving a fatality is a Class 3 felony with a possible penalty of up to 12 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

Property Damage Only

Being convicted of a hit and run involving only property damage carries with it a possible penalty of 90 days in jail and a $300 fine. It is a Class 2 traffic misdemeanor.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Hit & Run

Not surprisingly, a pedestrian who is the victim of a hit-and-run is more likely to be seriously injured or killed than somebody inside the structural protection of a motor vehicle. A pedestrian who is involved in a hit-and-run should immediately call 911 for immediate medical assistance and perhaps transportation to a hospital. If possible, the pedestrian should try to identify witnesses and obtain their contact information to assist in the criminal investigation and identification of the defendant and insurance company. Witness testimony can be especially useful to legal authorities in their attempt to understand how the pedestrian hit-and-run accident occurred, and who caused it.

Although it may be difficult simply due to the nature of hit-and-run accidents in general, injured pedestrians should always try to gather as much information as possible about the vehicle that hit them. This can include the license plate number, the vehicle’s make, model, and color, and the direction the vehicle was heading as the driver left the accident scene. The location, date, and exact time of the pedestrian hit-and-run would also be helpful information for the authorities to know. If a family member or friend is at the scene of the accident or shows up shortly afterward, they can serve as a resource in helping you get medical treatment and assisting the police in investigating.

About Whalen Injury Lawyers

Whalen Injury Lawyers is a Colorado personal injury law firm that has obtained significant monetary settlements on behalf of pedestrian hit and run victims. In each case, we aggressively pursue pedestrian hit-and-run compensation that our clients deserve. The lawyers at Whalen Injury Lawyers are highly experienced trial litigators who exclusively represent injured plaintiffs against insurance companies and large corporations.

Being badly hurt in a pedestrian hit-and-run is a serious matter that calls for professional legal representation. For help exploring your legal options, consider speaking with one of our Colorado pedestrian hit-and-run lawyers during a free consultation.

Contact Whalen Injury Lawyers either by calling 720-307-2666 or submitting this form.