Fleeing the scene of a car accident in Denver without stopping to exchange information or render aid if necessary is a Colorado crime.
The punishment for hit and run turns on the extent of the injuries, if any.
As long as no one gets seriously hurt, you face only traffic misdemeanor charges. Otherwise, leaving the a crash scene is a felony.
| Denver hit-and-run crime | Penalties in Colorado |
| Hitting an unoccupied vehicle (CRS 42-4-1604) | Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense
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| Causing only property damage (CRS 42-4-1602) | Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense
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| Causing a non-serious bodily injury (CRS 42-4-1601) | Class 1 traffic misdemeanor
The DMV will also revoke your driver’s license for six months to one year. |
| Causing a serious bodily injury (CRS 42-4-1601) | Class 4 felony
The DMV will also revoke your driver’s license for six months to one year. |
| Causing death (CRS 42-4-1601) | Class 3 felony
The DMV will also revoke your driver’s license for six months to one year. |
In addition, the Denver County judge can order that you pay victim restitution (which is separate from the criminal fine).1
Plus, the alleged victims may bring a negligence lawsuit against you in pursuit of compensatory damages. This typically includes:
- medical expenses
- pain and suffering
- loss of past and future wages from being too injured to work
Note that if the alleged victim died, their family might bring a wrongful death lawsuit demanding that you pay for loss of support and funeral expenses.
Can I get the charge dismissed?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, the Denver District Attorney may dismiss your hit and run charges if we can show that either:
- The accident seriously injured you, and you were in no position to exchange information or render age.
- You honestly did not realize that there had been an accident.
- You honestly believed the accident caused no injuries or property damage.
- The only reason you left the scene of the accident was to get medical help or to find a Denver police officer.
- You left a note with your contact information after hitting unattended property, and something beyond your control caused the note to disappear (such as windy weather).
- Someone else caused the crash, and you are being falsely accused.
When fighting these cases, our Denver hit and run lawyers rely on such evidence as traffic surveillance video, eyewitness accounts, GPS records, and accident reconstruction expert testimony.
How long after the hit and run can I be charged?
The statute of limitations by which time the Denver D.A. must bring hit and run charges turns on the seriousness of the case.
If there was only property damage, prosecutors have to file charges within one year of the accident. If there was a non-fatal injury, then the time limit to press charges is three years.
In fatal hit-and-run cases, the D.A. has five years to file charges. Though if prosecutors suspect you were driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, then they have ten years after the accident to bring charges.2
See our related article, What is the statute of limitations for hit-and-run in Colorado?
Additional Information
- Denver Hit and Run – Top Questions Answered
- Denver Hit and Run – 5 key things to know
- Felony hit-and-run (CRS 42-4-1603)
- How can I get a police report after a car accident in Denver?
- What is the penalty for hit and run of a parked car in Colorado?
