Continuing from where Colorado Hit-and-Runs: 6 Facts to Know (Pt. 1) left off, here, we’ll resume this discussing by reveal a few more important facts you may need to know about these types of traffic accidents.
Colorado Hit-and-Runs: More Important Info
Fact 3 – Colorado hit-and-run criminal cases are often dismissed in court.
Regardless of the outcome of criminal cases, people injured in Colorado hit-and-runs can still pursue justice in civil court. Here are some more important facts about Colorado hit-and-runs.
This fact about Colorado hit-and-runs may be disconcerting to the victims of these accidents, but it is, nevertheless, true. In fact, as the Denver Post reported last year:
- Since 2008, more than 60 percent of the cases that involved charges of fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury were eventually dismissed by the court.
- Over this same period of time, more than 38 percent of the cases that involved charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death were later dismissed.
What may be just as concerning to the victims of hit-and-runs are the facts that:
- Even when the drivers responsible for committing serious Colorado hit-and-runs are caught and convicted, they may not receive harsh penalties.
- Since 2008, less than half of the people convicted of hit-and-runs (resulting in serious bodily injury and/or death) were ever even sentenced to prison.
Fact 4 – Regardless of the disposition of criminal hit-and-run cases, victims can still pursue justice in civil court.
Although the above fact about Colorado hit-and-runs can be disheartening for the victims of these accidents, it’s crucial to understand that the criminal justice system is not the only recourse for justice in these cases. In fact, when the drivers who cause Colorado hit-and-runs are identified, regardless of how the criminal case unfolds, a civil case can also be filed against these drivers, and these civil cases can result in far more favorable outcomes for the victims of hit-and-runs.
Here, we also want to point out that, when it comes to obtaining compensation after Colorado hit-and-runs:
- The civil justice system will only be an option when the responsible party (i.e., the driver who caused the accident and fled the scene) is identified and tracked down.
- Victims can still obtain compensation even when the responsible drivers aren’t found if these victims had uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of their auto insurance coverage.
- Dealing with insurers after Colorado hit-and-runs can present its own challenges, so it’s best for victims to retain an experienced lawyer to help them secure the payouts they need and likely deserve.
Don’t miss the upcoming conclusion to this blog series for some final important info to know about Colorado hit-and-runs.
Contacting a Denver Car Accident Lawyer at Cederberg Law
Have you been injured in a hit-and-run accident? Or have you lost a loved one to a fatal hit-and-run accident? If so, it’s time to contact an experienced Denver car accident lawyer at Cederberg Law to find out more about your best options for financial recovery.
To meet with us at no cost or obligation to you, call us at 303-499-0449 or email us using the form at the side of the screen. In addition to offering free initial consults and contingency fee options, our lawyers make hospital visits to ensure that you have access to the legal support you need – whenever you need it.
