If you’ve been in a car accident, first and foremost, we’re sorry that it happened. We hope everyone involved is safe and uninjured.
No one likes to think about the possibility of going to jail, but it’s important to know if it could be a possibility in your situation so that you can be prepared mentally and emotionally, as well as have the right information at hand.
Car accidents are usually classified as either felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies being the more serious of the two. In order to be charged with a felony, there usually has to be some element of intentionality or recklessness involved in the accident. For example, if you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and caused an accident that resulted in injuries or death, you would most likely be facing felony charges.
However, even if there was no intentionality or recklessness involved in your accident, you could still be charged with a misdemeanor if the accident resulted in property damage or minor injuries. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, it is unlikely that you will serve jail time, but you may have to pay a fine or perform community service.
Of course, every situation is different, and the severity of the charge will depend on the individual circumstances of the accident. If you are facing charges after an accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your specific situation and what you can expect.
Let’s take a deeper look.
What is a car accident?
A car accident is defined as a collision between two or more vehicles. It can also be called a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, or simply an accident. Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common include:
-Distracted driving
-Speeding
-Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
-Reckless driving
-Poor road conditions
What are the different types of car accidents?
There are three main types of car accidents: rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and side-impact collisions.
Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. These types of accidents are usually caused by distracted driving or tailgating.
Head-on collisions occur when the front end of one vehicle hits the front end of another vehicle. These types of accidents are often caused by speeding or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Side-impact collisions, also called T-bone collisions, occur when the side of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, but they are often the result of someone running a red light or stop sign.
What are the consequences of a car accident?
The consequences of a car accident depend on the severity of the accident. If there is only property damage, the consequences will likely be limited to financial responsibility for the damage. However, if there are injuries or fatalities, the consequences can be much more severe.
Injuries from car accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones and concussion. In some cases, injuries from car accidents can even be life-threatening or result in death.
If you are responsible for a car accident that results in injuries, you could be facing charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving, or even vehicular homicide. If convicted of these charges, you could be facing jail time, significant fines, and a loss of your driver’s license.
Even if you are not facing criminal charges, you could still be held liable for the injuries or damage caused by the accident. This means that you could be sued by the victim or their family and be required to pay damages.
What should you do if you are in a car accident?
If you are in a car accident, the first thing you should do is check to see if anyone is injured. If there are any injuries, call 911 immediately.
Once the police and ambulance arrive, be sure to get the name, address, phone number, and insurance information from the other driver. You should also get the name and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
If you are not injured, you should move your vehicle out of the way of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Once you have moved your vehicle, exchange information with the other driver and wait for the police to arrive.
Be sure to get a copy of the police report from the officer at the scene. This report will be important if you need to file an insurance claim or take legal action against the other driver.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
An attorney can also help if you are facing charges in connection with a car accident. If you are facing criminal charges, you could be facing jail time, significant fines, and a loss of your driver’s license. An experienced attorney will fight to protect your rights and get the best possible outcome in your case.
The consequences of a car accident can be severe. If you have been involved in a car accident, contact an experienced attorney today to discuss your case.
If you know someone who has been convicted because of a car accident, visit this page for more information on the tools you can use to specify their location.
