Colorado has already had its first snowfall for this winter. This means that there will likely be slushy road conditions — increasing the chances for automobile and motorcycle accidents. Such circumstances sometimes lead to Accident Alerts being issued.
But what is an Accident Alert? They are issued by authorities when the numbers of crashes due to adverse weather conditions are so high that police officers and Colorado State Patrol troopers struggle to cope. When such an alert is issued, law enforcement only responds to the most serious accidents. In cases of minor collisions, drivers must exchange information and report the incident at a police station as soon as possible.
Only under certain circumstances will there be a response from law enforcement. These include so much damage that vehicles are disabled or crashes leading to fatalities or serious injuries that require medical attention. Also when drugs or alcohol impairment caused the accident or if it was a hit-and-run incident. Officers may even respond if there was damage to property or wildlife.
What an Accident Alert also means is that drivers should take extra care on Colorado roads in adverse weather conditions. Any injured victims of car or motorcycle accidents will still be entitled to pursue financial relief if other parties’ negligence was the cause. With sufficient evidence of negligence, a civil court may award a monetary judgment to cover documented financial losses and emotional damages. However, this can be a complicated process that is best navigated with the support and guidance of an experienced Colorado personal injury attorney.
Source: 9news.com, “This is what it means when Colorado activates an ‘Accident Alert'”, Jacob Rodriguez, Oct. 8, 2017
