Charges Distracted Drivers Face after They Kill Someone in an Accident
Many factors can ultimately lead to a fatal motor vehicle accident. In some cases, the responsible motorist might suffer from an underlying medical injury, while others might have consumed drugs or alcohol prior to operating a vehicle. However, in particularly tragic cases, people will be distracted by texting or a random phone call and, in the blink of an eye, crash into an unsuspecting person.
Given the severity of these circumstances, you would probably assume that people who are responsible for killing unsuspecting victims as a result of distracted driving would have severe consequences. However, certain circumstances pertaining to the incident may result in less severe or more severe forms of punishment for the driver (only on rare occasions).
For today, let’s take a closer look at the charges distracted drivers face after they kill someone in a motor vehicle accident.
The Reality of Distracted Driving in the United States
One of the most horrific, recent cases of distracted driving occurred when a 20-year-old man drove his pickup truck directly into a bus along a South Texas highway. In the end, 13 of the passengers died, while he survived. Ultimately, police discovered that he had not only consumed medication prior to driving but had also been using a cell phone, a perfect example of how distracted driving can be taken to the most dangerous degree.
Frequency of Distracted Driving Cases
Sadly, the incident in South Texas is just one of hundreds of thousands of distracted driving accidents that take place throughout our country, and all drivers of legal age are involved. According to a report from the NHTSA, from 2007 to present, 16 to 24-year-old drivers have triggered the most cases of distracted driving in the United States.
How Distracted Drivers Who Killed Victims Are Punished
By setting up laws that criminalize cell phone use, legal officials across these states and territories are sending a message about the criminalization of cell phone use, but the legal proceedings for dealing with these problems are much different. If a person uses a cell phone and ultimately causes an accident, he/she will face severe charges for civil liability, even if he/she did not face criminal penalties for the incident.
Incidentally, the punishment for distracted driving varies. For example, if a person was only distracted and did not consume mind-altering drugs, he/she may face less severe charges (e.g. one year or a couple of months in prison). For people who are drunk and ultimately distracted, these charges can skyrocket a staggering 10 to 16 years in prison.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Syracuse, New York
In the blink of an eye, a simple drive down the road or major highway can turn into a fight for your life or the life of your loved one. Without warning, you and those you care about can become victims of deadly motor vehicle accidents and suffer from excruciating injuries, like bone fractures, which can take a long time to heal and mend. As a result, you will have to reap the consequences, which can include hefty medical bills and an overloading cost of vehicle damages. Simply put, no one should have to suffer through these problems, particularly if the accident was triggered by negligence or malicious intentions.
Although this might be difficult, though, you must remain calm. With the assistance of a lawyer who is experienced with personal injury cases, you can gather viable resources to create a strong case in court.
We at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and deliver the some of the most high-quality legal services to victims of a wide variety of accidents in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you receive the justice you deserve. For more information on our four practice areas or your legal matter, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.