Hit and Run in Fort Collins | Now, Technology Will Tell on You

A woman was charged with Hit and Run after her car notified police where she was. Read more in our blog.
A woman was charged with Hit and Run after her car notified police where she was. Read more in our blog.
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Graphics Mouse

Nowadays, cars have so many fancy features it’s hard to keep up with them all. I’ll bet many people driving around in these feature filled cars don’t even know half of what they do. That’s definitely true for one woman who decided to leave the scene of a car accident, only to have her car tell on her. According to the news report, the woman hit a truck and van before fleeing the scene. It seems she wasn’t aware that her car had an emergency assistance feature, which automatically calls 911 in the event of an accident. This automated call will provide GPS coordinates and other vital information. What it did for this woman is get her ticketed for hit and run. Both she and another driver sustained injuries.

Colorado Definition of Hit and Run Accidents in Larimer County

The Colorado law definition of Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries – Duties – C.R.S. 42-4-1601 – defines a person’s responsibilities when involved with any traffic accident. It states:

The driver of any vehicle directly involved in an accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close to the scene as possible or shall immediately return to the scene of the accident. The driver shall then remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 42-4-1603 (1). Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

In Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County, you are required to stop if you are involved in any accident and stay until the police have arrived and have all the required information they need for their report. You are even required to report if you hit a parked car. Sometimes, it can be tempting to try to come to an agreement with the other driver and settle things without police involvement. If police ever become involved, both parties can end up with Failure to Notify Police charges.

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If this law is violated in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, a person can be charged with:

(a) A class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense if the accident resulted in injury to any person;

(b) A class 4 felony if the accident resulted in serious bodily injury to any person;

(c) A class 3 felony if the accident resulted in the death of any person.

The accident caused injuries, though it is not known whether they were serious injuries or not. The level of injury determines whether it is a misdemeanor traffic offense or a felony- which carry two very different sentencing requirements.

If you or someone you love have been contacted about a hit and run accident, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact an experienced lawyer from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 for a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.