A hit-and-run accident is a terrifying event. In the moments that follow, you may feel lost and uncertain what to do next. After all, you just got into an accident, but the other driver fled the scene. If you get into a hit-and-run accident in Colorado Springs, the steps you take can help your case and your ability to collect the compensation you deserve.
In Colorado, a hit-and-run accident is a crime. All drivers must stay at the scene of the accident and lend aid to injured victims. If there is property damage, they must report the accident and wait for the police to arrive. Even if you are not to blame for the accident, leaving the scene is a criminal offense and punishable by law.
CRS 42-4-1603 is the Colorado law that addresses the crime of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in bodily harm. It doesn’t have to be serious bodily injury, either. Simply leaving the scene of an accident is a punishable offense. If the passengers or other driver suffered serious injuries, a hit-and-run accident driver can face years in prison.
What Can You Do After a Hit and Run Accident?
If you get into a hit-and-run accident in Colorado Springs, remain calm and gather as much information as you can. Then follow these steps.
- Move your car to a safe location
- Call the police or 911 to ensure that injured accident victims receive medical attention.
- Try to make a note of every detail, including the car make and model, as well as the driver’s appearance.
- Collect evidence when it is safe to do so. This might mean taking pictures of scraped paint or getting eyewitness information.
- Make a claim with your insurance company and notify them of the hit-and-run accident.
- Call a Colorado Springs hit-and-run attorney.
Where Can You Get Help?
After a hit-and-run accident in Colorado Springs, you may not know where you can get help. Fortunately, an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney can help you put the pieces back together. While the police investigate the accident and try to locate the hit-and-run driver, your attorney will go to work for you.
Your car accident attorney will start by building your case and negotiating with your own insurance company. If you have UM/UIM coverage, you can make a claim with your own insurance policy. However, insurance companies still fight these claims aggressively – even when their own policyholders are the ones making the claims.
This is where having an experienced Colorado Springs hit-and-run accident lawyer on your side is invaluable. Your attorney will fight for you and your rights to compensation, so you can focus on getting back on your feet after a serious crash.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Call our law firm immediately if you or someone you love suffered an injury in a hit-and-run accident. Contact the Green Law Firm, P.C. today by calling (719) 694-8515, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case. We are here and ready to help you quickly after a serious hit-and-run accident in Colorado Springs.
