psiphi

This is the first time I've ever started a thread, but I just made it home from the hospital after being hit by a car! I'm a little bruised and I've chipped my front teeth. My bike's down tube is dented, from what I've read on the forums, that means it's unsafe to ride it, correct?

The guy who hit me stopped and asked if I was okay and offered to give me a ride anywhere. I was a bit shocked but he even seemed more spooked than me so he took off! Thankfully there were lots of witnesses and one lady was able to get a license plate number. I know in an accident things happen fast, so sometimes people aren't accurately able to remember plate numbers, but at least it's better than nothing.

My question is, how seriously will the police dept look for this person? I know there are bigger crimes than someone being minorly hurt by a traffic accident, but I'm pissed that he took off and now I have to replace my bike.


EDIT: UPDATE ON 8/6 ON HOW THE DENVER POLICE DEPT DOES NOTHING.

Sead0nkey

Call them daily and ask for updates! If they (police) have a plate number it's fairly easy to find him.

psiphi

I tried calling them as soon as I made it home, but the investigation dept is closed for the night and now I have to wait until 7AM. All these worst case scenarios are coming to mind, for example that the license plate wasn't remembered correctly or that it's a stolen car. I don't know the make and model, but it was a very nice blue car driven by a youngish guy. If they only have a partial plate number, would the police still make an effort for tracking the car down?

Bigmark

Yes, with a partial plate and the make of the car the police should have the guy by morning. If you saw the guy, you can positively id him, so he can’t say the car was stolen. Not only would I make him replace the bike, but I would make sure every bit of med bills get paid and any other expenses that were accrued by this bonehead.

Then keep a copy of the police report so you have his address, and around Christmas give him a present for being such a considerate person. You all know what I mean.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Miracle Whip

It's called hit and run, the police will investigate.

heckflosse

Not sure if it's classed as hit and run because he did stop. Whether he knew how you felt or what he'd done if you were unconcious is another matter.
Had a taxi knock me off my bike a few years ago, reported to the Police and even had the taxi firms name but never heard anymore about it
Hope your okay and get things sorted.

KingTermite 

By the fact that he stopped at all, I doubt it was a stolen car. Unless the plate number is absolutely no where's near correct, he can easily be found (in seconds) by the police.

Now the question is this....what are the circumstances? I don't mean to imply anything or be rude, but was it completely his fault (hope so)? If so, then as stated....he should pay for med bills, new bike, new accessories that were messed up (like helmet), etc...

Since he left and didn't come back.....and didn't give you any info about him, I'd think he "could" be facing jail time. I believe that IS a hit and run...unless you told him it was ok to leave.

Bigmark

I am not in with all the laws, but if you are in an accident that causes damage to others property vehicle, or person, or your own vehicle you MUST fill out an accident report.

If you didn’t exchange information and you didn’t give him the OK to leave it is hit and run.
I assume you had the police called, and had a report taken.

Other than that I carry a disposable camera just in case of an accident, so I have visual aids of intersections, traffic signs, and anything else that would aid in helping my case.

For not giving a crap about how you are I would screw this idiot to the wall. What a dirt bag by leaving he showed you how much he gave a darn about you, you should do the same to him in a court of law. I hope he does jail time.

My 2 cents.

psiphi

Thanks for the all replies, I appreciate your support. I've calmed down some and have left a message for the police asking them for updates. I was going straight down the street and he was going in the opposite direction getting ready to make a left hand turn at an interesection. I thought he had stopped and was going past him, I'm not sure if really wasn't stopped or if he was stopped and started moving, but if I had just been a few seconds faster he would have missed me. The witnesses all say that it was his fault. When he stopped the car and stepped out he was saying "Sorry sorry sorry I didn't see you sorry sorry sorry."

If I can figure out how to post a picture, I'll show you a diagram of the accident. I couldn't sleep last night, so I googled Colorado Hit and Run and learned that it's a misdemenor if it's a hit and run with no injury, and it's a felony if the person is injured or disfigured. Does chipped teeth count as injuries or disfigurment? I just hope that the police find the guy because I'm so tired of people getting away with things like this.

KingTermite 

I hope you got the names of the witnesses that all said it was his fault. That would be good to get them to write their statements and sign them.

It also sounds like his words are an "admission of guilt" that can be used against him (if need be) as well.

Sounds like you have good ground to move forward and teach this jackass a lesson.

Edit: Will send PM about picture posting.

skiahh

I would think the cops would be very interested in a "hit and run" driver. A simple accident they might not have been all that interested in (sadly), but one where someone injures another then takes off? They're generally VERY interested in those.

Good luck.

operator

My experience with the hit and run is that you MUST report it into the police regardless of whether they are closed or not.

If you want them to catch the guy, call in a 911 and report a hit and run, they'll dispatch cruisers to track that guy down immediately. If you wait to report it, the case will go to the hit and run squad where it'll take a long ass time for anything to happen.

If the police catch him later, he could just say that he wasn't driving the car and that his friend was. He could also refuse to give the name and then you're screwed.

psiphi

Thanks again for the replies. A few people at the accident called 911 so the paramedics had me lie down and they checked me for injuries. The lady who got the plate number called my mom. My mom has her number. I didn't have a chance to really talk with any of the people who saw the accident, but a few of the witnesses were talking with either the police dept or the fire dept, I couldn't tell which.

Before the ambulance took me to the hospital an officer took down my description of the accident, but I couldn't give him a plate number or the make of the car. When I made it home, I did have message from a police officer asking the make and model of my bike for his report. I had to leave a message for him at the number he left me and I haven't been able to talk to anyone at the police dept about the accident. The person who answered the phone said it would take at least a day to get a case number for the accident report. I would just like to know how much detail the witnesses were able to give the police and if they have any leads.

"If you want them to catch the guy, call in a 911 and report a hit and run, they'll dispatch cruisers to track that guy down immediately. If you wait to report it, the case will go to the hit and run squad where it'll take a long ass time for anything to happen."


The waiting and wondering if they will find this person is the worst part. Is there anything else I should be doing?

LordOpie

Give Stubacca and I the license plate and car description, we'll find the punk!

It sounds like you're ok, other than the teeth, so I'm happy it wasn't worse. Where did it happen?

Feel better and I'm sure your teeth with only a little work will be sparkling new again!

jitteringjr

Sorry about the accident, that sucks. I hope they find the guy.

dobber

I'm confused. Your first post made it seem like law enforcement wasn't involved. This one has the paramedics, fire department and cops involved.

psiphi

Sorry for the confusion. He hit me, stopped and got out of the car to say he was sorry, and then took off. People at the scene were calling 911 right after it happened, but the paramedics, fire dept, and cops were not able to get the accident site until after he drove off. At no time did I tell him that I was okay with him leaving. After he drove off, the fire dept (In Denver it always seems like they send the fire dept to the scene of an accident even if nothing is burning) arrived about 5-10 minutes later. I wasn't sure when the police arrived, but the first "official" people I spoke with were the fire dept and paramedics. A policeman took a brief statement from me before they drove me the hospital.

Lord Opie, it happened on Cherry Creek Drive & Mississippi, about a block before Holly. I'm back from the dentist and no longer looking like a Colfax street fighter, thank god. I am still waiting for the police to call. Thanks to everyone for giving me a place to vent.

operator

Do you know if anyone got the license plate? If not, you can call the police station and ask them if there was a follow up after people did the 911 calls (those are also taped/recorded and can be searched, not by you though).

taylor8

It is also called leaving the sceen of and accident. They guy is in deep Kim Chee.
Joe

operator

Actually it's failing to remain. It doesn't matter if you stop, you have to stop until the police get there.

KeithA

If there is a good thing to come out of this, it is that people were there trying to assist you. Too often, people just say it isn't there problem and move on. Some nice people there to help and support you.

As for the guy who did it, I agree that he needs to be addressed on the matter and, at the very least, fully compensate you for out of pocket financial expenditures. Where I live, even if you are covered by medical insurance, the liable party is still responsible for the amount of the cost of medical treatment.

psiphi

Still no updates from the police, I guess I need to be patient until they file a report and then I can get some information. I did just get off the phone with the lady who called my mom for me. She was behind the guy who hit me. She did speak with the police at the accident and told them what she saw. She thought the guy was going to stay so she didn't focus on his plate, but what she remembers is a bright blue newer sporty looking sedan. She couldn't remember if it had two doors or four, but it was a Colorado license plate with what she thinks was 833 HAY. It was driven by an Asian guy with a slim/medium build who looked to be in his early to mid twenties. Thanks again for all the replies.

mtnbiker66

Sounds like he should be buying you a really sweet new bike,really sweet......like mucho $$$$$$$$$ sweet.

psiphi

Update: The Denver Police Dept. does nothing.

A few days after the accident I am able to speak with the officer who responded to the accident, and he tells me that the plate number the witness gave him matches the car described by all three witnesses. He tells me the car is registered to a lady with an Asian sounding last name who is old enough to have a teenage son. This information is given to a detective who will be handling the case from now on.

I speak with the detective who works 7PM to 3AM, this is on a Thursday. He tells me that he has sent the owner of the car a letter asking them to come to the station on the following Monday to talk about the accident and after that he will send me a letter telling me what happened during the interview. Monday comes and goes and I get impatient waiting for my letter. I call the detective on Thursday and ask what happened.

He tells me the person did not come in and now a pick up order will be placed on the car. This detective does not like to give out information and speaks in very brief sentences. I assume this means that they will actually send a tow truck to the house where the car is registered and they will pick up the car. I receive a letter from the Denver Police Dept with a copy of the accident report and the name and address of the person the car is registered to, the lady lives in Parker, CO, which is outside the jurisdiction of the Denver Police Dept.

I wait another week and call the detective on Thursday to get an update, I have to leave a message and he does not return my call. He does not call the next night and I leave another message halfway through his shift. He does not return my call.

I called the Denver Police Dept today to speak with someone and they tell me the standard procedure for a hit and run, where there is not great bodily harm, is to send a letter and if the person does not come in they issue a pick up on the vehicle. Apparently they do not actually send an officer out to go get the car if it is in another jursidiction.

So, it seems like the police are not actively doing anything to catch this person. I am so angry that they won't even send an officer out the person's house to question them. Any suggestions on what I should do next?

af895

Is there not the option of filing a civil suit if the police won't pursue criminal charges? Glad to hear you're OK - bike still functional? No problems crop up since?