Anytime you’re in an accident in Greeley, if you leave the scene or refuse to call the Greeley police, you can actually be charged with a Hit and Run. In Colorado, anytime you hear the phrases “Hit and Run,” “Leaving the Scene,” “Duty to Report,” or “Accidents Involving Death, Personal Injury, or Damage” remember that they all refer to the same conduct: some kind of accident occurred, the police weren’t called, and at least one person left the scene of the accident.
Your Duty to Report Accidents in Weld County, C.R.S. 42-4-1606
In Weld County, whether you’re the victim of the accident or if it is your fault, Colorado Law requires you to Report Accidents, C.R.S. 42-4-1606. The statute states:
Basically, big or small, as soon as any kind of accident occurs, you should call the local police so they can evaluate the situation. Generally, they will officially assign blame to the person at fault, and will make sure all the correct information is gathered by each person involved. If you leave the accident before a cop shows up, you could be charged with “leaving the scene of an accident,” which can be a felony.
What Happens if You Don’t Call Longmont Police after an Accident?
If you don’t call Longmont Police after an accident, they can still charge you for failing to Report the Accident. At the very least, the police can hand you a class 2 misdemeanor traffic summons. The penalties for failing to report a non-injury accident are: spending between 10 and 90 days in the Weld County Jail, and paying a fine between $150 and $300.
Duty to Report an Accident Charges in Greeley, Erie and Evans
In Greeley, Erie and Evans, police are known to tack on extra charges of Duty to Report an Accident when citizens do not report an accident as they are supposed to. If you cause an accident and the person you hit suffers a serious injury or dies, you could be charged with an additional felony. If police think you might be under the influence, they can charge you with Vehicular Assault or even Vehicular Homicide. They could even tack on Following Too Closely or some other ridiculous charge. Don’t let the police take advantage of you. Reach out to our office to see how we can help defend you and your situation.
Falsely Accused of Failure to Report an Accident / Hit and Run in Greeley or Weld County?
Contact the O’Malley Law Office today to speak with an experienced criminal defense and traffic crimes attorney about these wild allegations against you.
Call 970-616-6009 or fill out the Get Help Now form to schedule a free consultation with a skilled defense lawyer in the Greeley and Weld County area today.
Together, we can protect your future.
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