What Happens If You Leave the Scene of a Car Accident in Denver, CO? 2025

Being involved in a car accident is a scary and uncertain experience. Many individuals may wonder what steps should be taken immediately following the crash, while others may feel tempted to simply leave the scene of the accident. However, leaving the site of an accident, even in cases where no injuries are suffered, can be considered a hit-and-run. You might wonder, “What happens if you leave the scene of a car accident in Denver, CO?” Our attorneys can answer that.

If you find yourself leaving the site of an accident in Denver, it is essential that you remain calm and return to the scene. You must not leave the site of the accident. Furthermore, if you are physically able, you are required to help injured parties and report the accident to the authorities. Your initial response to a stressful situation may be to simply leave. While this is understandable behavior, it is also illegal and should be avoided in every case.

What Can Happen If You Leave the Scene of a Denver Car Accident?

Even if there are no injuries suffered in a car accident in Denver, the individual drivers involved in the wreck cannot leave the scene. You are required, by law, to report the accident by calling the police to get them to the scene. Leaving the site of an accident is illegal and can result in several penalties, including jail time and fines. It is also important to note that fleeing the scene of an accident can not only result in criminal penalties but also civil liabilities.

Even if you are not the at-fault party in the accident, leaving the scene of an accident in which injuries were suffered and not reporting the accident to the authorities can leave you facing liability for those injuries. In addition to personal injury liabilities, you may also face punitive damages if you leave the scene, as this can be seen as “willful and wanton” conduct. Along with criminal penalties, civil liabilities can be extremely costly.

What Should Be Done Following a Colorado Car Accident?

Instead of leaving the scene of an accident, you might wonder what should be done instead. There are several steps you can take following a Colorado car accident. These can not only ensure your own health and safety but also that of other victims of the crash. It can also preserve any future personal injury claim you may wish to file. If you are involved in a Colorado car accident, it is important that you take the following measures:

• Stay Calm: First, stay put, and remain calm. It is understandable to be feeling anxious and frightened in the midst of a car accident, but it is wise to stay level-headed. Move yourself to a place of safety to check for injuries.
• Call the Police: You should then contact the law enforcement authorities in your area and medical emergency services if individuals suffer any injuries. When the police arrive, you can offer them a report of what happened but do not discuss fault.
• Gather Evidence: You will then want to gather evidence, such as photos and videos of your injuries, injuries suffered by other passengers, the positioning of the vehicles involved in the accident, road conditions, missing or inadequate signage, and damage sustained by your vehicle.
• Exchange Contact Information: Then, you should exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved in the accident. You can also exchange contact information with any party who might have witnessed the accident.
• Contact Your Insurance Provider: You will then want to contact your insurance provider and make them aware of the situation. If you have been injured in the accident, or suffered property damage, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim. This is one of the many reasons why it is imperative that you do not leave the scene of the accident. Even if you are partially at fault, you could still seek damages.
• Consult an Attorney: Lastly, you can consult an attorney, who can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim.

Instead of leaving the scene of the accident and risking both civil liability and criminal penalties, it is wise that you follow the above steps. That way, you may have a chance to seek damage recovery where applicable.

FAQs

Q: How Can an Attorney Help Me in a Colorado Hit-and-Run Case?

A: If you are the victim of a hit-and-run case in Colorado, it is wise to consult an attorney who can help you file a personal injury case against the at-fault party. When you hire an attorney, they can advise you, offer a compassionate shoulder to lean on and handle all the legalities of your case while you focus on rest and recovery. They can also investigate the cause of the accident and determine the liable party.

Q: What’s the Punishment for a Hit-and-Run in Colorado?

A: There are several penalties an individual can face in Colorado if found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident. The severity of these penalties largely depends on the nature of the accident and whether anyone has been seriously injured or killed. In many cases, the penalties often involved include:

• Fines
• Jail time
• Restitution payments to victims
• License suspension or revocation
• Having to face a civil claim

Q: What If the At-Fault Party Flees the Car Accident Scene?

A: If the at-fault party flees the scene of the accident, it is vital that you stay put and gather as much evidence and information as you can. This can include taking photos of the accident and recording any license plates or makes and models of the cars involved. You will also want to call the police to notify them of the accident and make them aware of the fact that a hit-and-run situation is involved.

Q: How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge in Colorado?

A: A personal injury attorney in Denver, Colorado usually works on a contingency fee basis, including those at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard. In a contingency fee arrangement, an attorney is only paid if they win your case. Their payment will be part of your settlement or case award. If they don’t win your case, you do not have to pay any fees.

Contact Cheney Galluzzi & Howard

Managing the complexities of a Colorado hit-and-run accident, wherein one of the drivers has fled the scene, can be a difficult task to handle on your own. Instead, trust the attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard to keep your interests in mind when handling all aspects of a personal injury claims case. Contact our offices today for more information.