Most car accidents can be attributed to careless driving of one kind or another. Someone wasn’t paying enough attention to their surroundings, to traffic laws or changing road conditions, and the result is a crash. Being vigilant can help avoid accidents, but it’s also important to be on alert after the accident happens.
All too often, one accident leads to another.
We’ve all seen the tragic stories about state troopers stopping to deal with an accident on the interstate, only to be injured or killed by other motorists who failed to slow down or yield to the emergency in progress. And the recent death of a female motorist in Aurora highlights the dangerousness of any accident scene, especially if other drivers don’t respond appropriately.
According to police, the woman was involved in a two-car collision at East Illiff Avenue and Interstate 225 on Saturday morning, October 12. She was crossing the westbound lanes of East Illiff on foot in order to contact the other driver when she was struck by someone driving a black Nissan Altima. The Nissan fled the scene. The woman was transported to a local hospital and died of her injuries.
Acting on accounts of witnesses and evidence gathered at the scene, patrol officers were able to locate the damaged Nissan, which was registered at a nearby apartment complex, and arrest a 23-year-old suspect in the hit-and-run, Jackson Donald, who was booked on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
According to Colorado statute, it’s a crime to leave the scene of an accident that results in injury to any party. If the accident results in a death, fleeing the scene is a class 3 felony, punishable by up to twelve years in prison and a $750,000 fine. Read more about the consequences and punishment of hit-and-run accidents here.
Preventing “Chain Reaction” Accidents
In many accident situations, there’s a strong possibility of a crash leading to chain reactions or multiple car pileups. Determining who’s at fault in true chain-reaction crashes can be challenging, as we’ve discussed in another article.
But hit-and-run accidents are as contemptible as they are preventable. We can’t always be protected from the irresponsible behavior of other drivers, but it’s best to exercise extreme caution in any accident scenario.
Following any crash, your first priority should be to check for injuries and get to a safe place. If your vehicle can be safely moved out of traffic lanes, do so as soon as feasible.
Assess your surroundings before leaving the vehicle or putting yourself at any risk as a pedestrian; if in doubt about how to proceed, wait for police and emergency personnel to arrive and direct you.
Don’t be so focused on getting on with your day that you don’t do everything you can to protect yourself from the genuine hazards that arise in the immediate aftermath of a crash.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney at Franklin D. Azar & Associates
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or financial loss as a result of a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Over the past 30 years, Franklin D. Azar & Associates has represented victims in some of the most complicated and serious personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from car accidents.
Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal-injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Denver, Greenwood Village, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us at (303) 900-5595 or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
