Felony Hit-and-Run Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury — C.R.S. 42-4-1601(1), (2)(b)

Denver Hit & Run Lawyer – Serious Bodily Injury (SBI)

A hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury is one of the most aggressively charged traffic felonies in Colorado.

The law requires the driver to stop, remain, and fulfill specific legal duties.

Failing to do so — even if you panicked — can lead to a Class 4 felony under C.R.S. 42-4-1601(2)(b).

I defend drivers under investigation before charges are filed and after filing.

No case managers. You speak with me — start to finish.

📞 303-355-5148

✅ What the Law Requires (C.R.S. 42-4-1601 + 42-4-1603 + 42-4-1606)

If a driver is involved in a crash that results in injury or serious bodily injury, Colorado law requires three core duties:

1. Stop the vehicle at the scene (or as close as possible).

C.R.S. 42-4-1601(1)

2. Return to the scene if the driver did not stop there.

C.R.S. 42-4-1601(1)

3. Remain and perform the required duties under C.R.S. 42-4-1603, including:

• Providing your name, address, and vehicle registration number
• Exhibiting your driver’s license upon request
• Rendering reasonable assistance to any injured person (including arranging transport to medical care if needed or requested)

Additionally, Colorado law requires:

➡️ Reporting the accident to law enforcement.

C.R.S. 42-4-1606 (duty to report accidents)

You can comply with these legal duties without making statements about fault or giving self-incriminating information.

🚨 Penalties for Hit & Run Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

Felony – C.R.S. 42-4-1601(2)(b)

Serious bodily injury includes fractures, loss of consciousness, disfigurement, or any injury involving a substantial risk of permanent impairment.

🧠 Understanding Colorado’s Legal Duties After a Crash (Injury / Serious Bodily Injury)

Colorado law imposes three separate and simultaneous obligations when a crash involves injury or serious bodily injury:

1. Stop / remain / or return to the scene C.R.S. § 42-4-1601
2. Provide identifying information and render reasonable aid C.R.S. § 42-4-1603
3. Report the accident to law enforcement C.R.S. § 42-4-1606 (This reporting duty exists even if someone else calls 911.)

These are legal requirements, not optional steps.

⚖️ Legal Duties ≠ Waiving Your Rights

Colorado requires a driver to perform their statutory duties, but the law does not require self-incrimination.

You are not required to:

• Explain fault
• Answer investigative questions
• Give written or recorded statements
• Consent to interrogation
• Allow vehicle inspection without legal authority (warrant or valid consent)

✅ Statutory duties must be fulfilled.

⚖️ Statements are voluntary.

You can comply with the law and protect your constitutional rights at the same time.

How I Help

I assist clients with:

• Ensuring required legal duties are fulfilled (stopping, identifying, reporting)
• Managing contact with law enforcement
• Protecting Fifth Amendment rights
• Preventing unintentional self-incrimination

The goal is simple:

Comply with the law — without making statements that harm your defense.

🚓 How Hit-and-Run Investigations Actually Start

Officers frequently initiate contact using:

• License plate reader hits (LPR)
• Surveillance / doorbell cameras
• Insurance inquiries
• Texts, calls, or home visits by detectives
• Letters from Traffic Investigations requesting a vehicle inspection

➡️ If you receive a letter requesting an inspection:

Do not bring your vehicle in before speaking with counsel.

⚖️ Defenses in Felony Hit-and-Run Cases

Every case is fact-specific. I investigate:

• Whether you were the driver (identity issues)
• Whether the alleged injury meets the statutory definition of serious bodily injury
• Whether law enforcement obtained statements in violation of your rights
• Whether the duty to remain was fulfilled (sometimes drivers leave due to safety concerns)

❓ FAQ — Hit & Run Felony (SBI)

☎️ Free Consultation — Speak Directly With Me

Hit-and-run felony cases move quickly.
Before making any statement or responding to police:


📞 303-355-5148
📩 You speak with me — not a case manager.