A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in a vehicular accident leaves the scene without providing their contact information, offering aid to injured parties, or notifying law enforcement. This applies regardless of who is at fault. It encompasses incidents involving damage to property, injury to individuals, or even fatalities.
Hit-and-run accidents can leave you to deal with mounting medical bills all while trying to recover from the injuries you sustained in the accident, time off of work, property damage, and moret. Casares Injury Law may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve and hold the responsible party accountable. Call our Castle Rock car accident attorney today at (303) 688-7474 or contact us online to learn more about how our hit-and-run accident lawyer in Castle Rock can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Common Causes of Hit-and-Runs in Castle Rock
There are many reasons a person may leave the scene of an accident:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving involves any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio. These distractions reduce a driver’s reaction time, significantly increasing the likelihood of accidents. When a distracted driver realizes they caused an accident, panic may set in, leading them to flee the scene to avoid consequences.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence occurs when a driver operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Impaired judgment, slower reflexes, and poor decision-making dramatically heighten the risk of collisions. Intoxicated drivers often leave the scene of an accident to avoid the additional legal repercussions of a DUI charge, such as arrest, fines, or imprisonment.
Panic or Fear of Legal Consequences
Some drivers flee accident scenes due to emotional reactions like panic or fear. They may act impulsively to avoid arrest, lawsuits, or financial penalties. This reaction is especially common among inexperienced drivers or those with prior offenses, who may feel overwhelmed by the potential fallout and choose to flee rather than face responsibility.
Legal Implications for Leaving the Scene of a Hit-and-Run Accident in Castle Rock
The legal consequences for a hit-and-run vary based on the severity of the incident. In cases of property damage, it is typically classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and potential jail time. However, if the accident involves injury or death, it escalates to a felony, carrying significantly harsher penalties such as substantial fines and extended imprisonment. In addition to criminal charges, drivers may face civil liability in the form of lawsuits for damages caused by the incident. Many jurisdictions, including Colorado, also impose automatic license suspension or revocation for offenders. Furthermore, a hit-and-run can severely impact insurance, leading to policy cancellation or increased premiums, adding to the long-term financial burden on the offender.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Hit-and-Run in Castle Rock
Being prepared and knowing how to respond during a hit-and-run can make a significant difference in ensuring justice and minimizing harm. Here is what you can do if you are involved in a hit-and-run car accident.
Ensure Safety
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run, your first priority should be safety. Move to a secure location, away from traffic, and assess any injuries. Seek medical attention immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, they should not be ignored, as symptoms can develop later.
Gather Information and Document the Accident
Once safe, gather information and document the scene thoroughly. Take photos or videos of your vehicle, the surrounding area, and any visible damage. If there are witnesses, collect their contact information and ask them to share what they saw with authorities.
While gathering as much information as possible after the accident is mandatory, do not attempt to chase the liable motorist if they flee from the scene. While you may deserve compensation for the damages that occurred, you do not have the legal authority to chase the other driver, leave that up to the law enforcement agencies.
Your first instinct after the crash should be to record the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved and gather personal information such as name, contact, and insurance company details from any other drivers who were involved.
Make notes of whatever you remember happened at the time of the accident. You can also gather information from witnesses to support your claim. You should collect witnesses’ contact information in case you need them to testify in court.
Get a Police Report
If the local police are nearby, they are likely to arrive soon at the crash site make a report of the scene, and collect information from the witnesses and the victim. If that happens, you can request a copy of that report afterward to share with your legal representative or to give it to your insurer.
File a police report as soon as possible, providing all available details about the incident, including the direction the fleeing vehicle was heading. This step is vital for legal and insurance purposes.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Hit-and-run accident cases can take some time to resolve, so one of the first things you should do is inform your insurance company. If your vehicle was totaled, you might need a replacement vehicle which the insurance company can provide.
You can also file a claim with your insurance company or file a lawsuit against the other driver if they are found.
Why Do Drivers Flee The Scene?
There could be many reasons why a driver would flee the scene of the accident, including the following:
- The motorist was driving a stolen vehicle.
- The driver might be charged with other crimes and wants to avoid facing them.
- The driver was driving their employer’s vehicle and did not want to face the consequences of informing their employer about the crash.
- The driver is not a documented citizen.
- The driver was drunk. Driving under the influence can be charged as a felony in most states if they have a prior history of similar offenses.
- The driver is involved in drug dealing.
- The driver might be afraid of getting their commercial driving license revoked.
- If the victim sustains severe injuries due to the accident, it can result in a criminal record and conviction for the liable motorist. This can be one of the reasons why drivers flee the scene.
In all states, hit-and-run accidents resulting in slight damage or inconvenience to another person or their personal property can be charged as a misdemeanor. In civil liability cases, the motorist is required to pay compensation to the victim after being sued in court.
However, if the post-accident injuries cause death or significant damages, the penalty can be charged as a felony. Felony hit-and-run accident charges can lead to imprisonment according to state laws.
Contact our Castle Rock Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Casares Injury Law, our Castle Rock hit-and-run accident attorneys are here to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today by filling out our easy-to-use online form or call us at (303) 688-7474. Our experienced legal team is ready to provide the support and guidance you need. Don’t wait – let us help you take the first step toward recovery.