What Is In My Colorado Accident Report?
Were you involved in an automobile accident in the state of Colorado? Regardless of how mild or severe the accident may have been, it is important for you to contact local law enforcement so that they can properly file an official Colorado accident report. This is a document which includes all of the details surrounding the crash. It can be very helpful to have your report on hand if you plan to file a lawsuit or claim insurance benefits after being involved in a car accident.
Your Colorado Crash Report Explained
Even if you’ve dealt with an official Colorado accident report in the past, it can be difficult to remember how to navigate and interpret the document. Although the report’s layout may appear confusing at first, it is easy to understand with a few quick pointers.
The first page of the report contains all of the crash information and is split into several sections. This page includes all of the following details:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Number of vehicles involved
- Property damages sustained in the accident
- Injuries and fatalities suffered in the accident
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident
The second page of the report is where the law enforcement officer will include a written narrative which covers all of the details of the accident. They will also draw a diagram so that they can visually demonstrate the events of the accident.
The third page of the report includes all details about the first vehicle and its occupants. There is a copy of this page for every vehicle involved in the crash. Page three makes a note of:
- Vehicle information (make, model, year, color, etc.)
- Any defect the vehicle may have had
- Each occupant’s name, contact information, and potential injuries
This page includes all of the information regarding any commercial vehicles which may have been involved, including vehicle type, special functions of the vehicle, and whether or not any hazardous materials were released at the time of the accident.
The fifth page of the report includes the details surrounding any pedestrian or non-motorist who may have been involved in the accident. It makes a note of:
- Non-motorist type
- Contact information
- Their location at the time of the accident
- Their actions at the time of the accident
- Whether or not they sustained any injuries
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Common Questions About the Colorado Traffic Crash Report
If you are able, you should always call local law enforcement to the scene of the crash so that they can file an official report. However, if you did not call an officer to the scene, you can file a report on your own. You are legally required to report any accident which results in property damage, injury, or death within ten days of the accident.
Because Colorado law requires you to report any crash which results in death, injury, or property damage, you can face penalties like fines, license suspension, or even jail time for failing to report an accident.
To search for an accident, you’ll need to provide the driver’s name, as well as the date, time, and location of the crash.
