Being the victim of a car accident is a traumatic and scary event. Injuries suffered in car accidents can range from bruises and soreness to traumatic brain injuries and fatal internal injuries. Most Colorado drivers know what they are supposed to do in the wake of an accident and understand that it’s critical to stop to make sure everyone involved is alright and to exchange insurance information and call the police. Despite this knowledge, however, a recent investigation by 9NEWS and I-News shows that annually there are an alarming number of hit-and-run accidents in the city of Denver as well as throughout Colorado.
National traffic statistics show that roughly 10 percent of all motor vehicle accidents reported in the U.S. are hit-and-run accidents. In Denver, however, that percentage is much higher with more than a quarter of all motor vehicle accidents being reported as hit-and-runs.
During the first four months of 2014 alone, a total of 11 people have already died in hit-and-run accidents throughout Colorado. Some public safety advocates consider the high number of hit-and-run accidents throughout the state to be an epidemic. In the last six years and four months, 132 hit-and-run fatalities have been reported throughout Colorado. Of these, about 55 percent involved pedestrians.
In many cases, the pedestrians killed were reported to have been walking in close proximity to traffic or crossing a street or highway illegally. The majority of fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accidents occurred “between 4 p.m. and midnight,” during diminished daylight or nighttime hours.
When a hit-and-run accident occurs the victims and family members often go through a grieving period that eventually turns into anger and a quest for revenge. Individuals who are victims of hit-and-run accidents may suffer serious and painful injuries that result in permanent injuries, disabilities or death. These individuals and their family members deserve justice as well as answers and compensation.
Source: 9NEWS.com, “Quarter of drivers flee after wrecks,” Chris Vanderveen, May 9, 2014