After a Crash
C.R.S. 42-4-1601 — stop, give a name and plate, help the injured, report it, and a felony for leaving an injury crash
A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone, or damages an attended vehicle, stops at once at the scene or as close as possible, and stays until the duties to give information and aid are met.
Who handles this in Colorado: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Colorado directory.
- The driver gives a name, address and the vehicle's registration number, and shows a license on request.
- Where practical, the driver gives reasonable help to anyone injured, including getting them to a doctor or hospital.
- On a divided highway, if the cars can be driven safely, they are moved off the road to exchange information.
A driver who hits an unattended vehicle or property stops and finds the owner, or leaves a secure written note in a conspicuous place with a name, address and plate number. Every crash with injury or property damage is reported at once to the nearest police authority.
| Leaving the scene of a crash causing | Offense |
|---|---|
| Leaving the scene of a crash causingInjury | OffenseClass 1 misdemeanor traffic offense |
| Leaving the scene of a crash causingSerious bodily injury | OffenseClass 4 felony |
| Leaving the scene of a crash causingDeath | OffenseClass 3 felony |
Sources for this section (5)
- C.R.S. 42-4-1601 — Crashes involving death or personal injuries - duties
- C.R.S. 42-4-1602 — Crash involving damage - duty
- C.R.S. 42-4-1603 — Duty to give notice, information, and aid
- C.R.S. 42-4-1604 — Duty upon striking unattended vehicle or other property
- C.R.S. 42-4-1606 — Duty to report crashes - definition
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Colorado attorney.