Almost a year ago, a 44-year-old man lost his life in Colorado. This followed an accident in which a hit-and-run driver ran him down in Colorado Springs on Oct. 31, 2018. That driver was recently found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident that involved death, and he will be sentenced on Nov. 20.
Reportedly, the pedestrian accident victim was well-known because, every year on Sept. 11, he carried the American flag to honor those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. The 26-year-old driver was arrested on the day following the accident. It is unclear whether the victim died at the crash scene or later at a hospital.
Like in other states, leaving an accident scene is a crime in Colorado. In this case, the accident caused a death, and the driver was charged with a felony. Drivers must remain at the accident scene and assist those who are injured, if possible. Drivers must remain at the scene of the accident for law enforcement personnel to arrive.
When the negligence of another party causes a loved one’s death, the surviving family members are typically entitled to pursue claims for financial relief. However, when it involves a hit-and-run driver, the matter could be complicated. Fortunately, law enforcement catches up with most of them, allowing families to pursue recovery of financial and emotional damages to cover end-of-life costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced personal injury attorney in Colorado can provide the necessary support and guidance throughout the legal proceedings of a wrongful death lawsuit.
