How do the police respond to a motor vehicle accident?

Upon arriving at the scene of an accident involving one or more vehicles, the police agent will do the following.

• Make sure the scene is safe.
• Call an ambulance if needed.
• Obtain a brief synopsis of the incident and a description of the suspect and vehicle in a hit-and-run.
• If the accident involved a hit-and-run, relay information to a dispatcher so police units in the area can be informed.
• Check for physical evidence.
• Take a detailed report.
• Question witnesses.
• Give the drivers a case report number for the accident.
• Take enforcement action as appropriate.
• Answer drivers' questions. 

In cases of severe weather, you might be directed to file an accident report within 24 hours at the police station if there are no injuries and the damage is minor. You can stop by the Police Department to file a report with the desk agent. After hours, call the desk agent at (303) 987-7150.

Do I need to call the police if my accident involved minor damage and the other driver does not want to call the police?

• State traffic law requires immediate police notification of traffic accidents involving any property damage or a claim of injury.
• When in doubt, call the police for instructions on how to report and document the accident.
• If you fail to call the police immediately, the accident might not be investigated, and you might only have a civil claim against the other driver.

How do I report a traffic accident if it occurs on private property? 

The Lakewood Police Department does not investigate accidents occurring on private property (driveways, parking lots, etc.) unless the following circumstances exist:

• Injury or fatality
• Hit-and-run
• Damage to public property
• Indication of alcohol or drugs involved
• Indication of reckless driving

If I have an accident on private property and the owner of the damaged property is unknown, what do I do next?

• Remain on scene until you attach a note with your personal information to the damaged property.
• Then call police immediately to receive instructions on how to report the accident.

If police do not respond to my minor traffic accident, what should I do?

A Colorado Financial Responsibility Act form must be filled out and mailed to the Colorado Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division within 10 days if you are involved in an accident on public property and no official law enforcement report is filed. This includes any accident regardless of damage and/or injury. Failure to make this report will cause the suspension of your driver's license. These blank report forms may be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles or any police station, including the Lakewood Police Department at 445 S. Allison Parkway.

  I received a traffic/parking ticket. How do I know when I need to go to court and where do I appear for the hearing?

Traffic tickets and parking tickets issued for both municipal and county courts have the required court appearance date, time and location printed in the center portion of the ticket. Some traffic offenses require an appearance in court while others may have provisions for a mail-in procedure. Check the reverse side of your ticket for instructions regarding a mail-in procedure.

Failure to appear in court as required, or to mail in a fine if applicable, could result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.

Misdemeanor criminal offenses are charged on the same ticket form as traffic charges. Again, an appearance date will be noted in the center portion of the ticket. There are no mail-in provisions for criminal offenses, and the instructions on the rear of the ticket should be followed regarding required court appearance.