An auto injury attorney notes that officials believe that a teen driver who allegedly caused a crash in Minnesota that killed two people was updating her Facebook page moments before the accident. In February 2016, the teen pled guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide according to court officials. In addition to criminal charges, people who drive recklessly may be liable to the others they harm, and victims of negligence, as well as the families of those killed, may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of a car accident lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated auto injury attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
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Report: 10-Year-Old Girl Among the Victims as Teen Enters Vehicular Homicide Guilty Plea
A teen driver who refused to put down the phone at the urging of her fellow passengers has now entered a guilty plea of vehicular homicide for her alleged role in a deadly Minneapolis, Minnesota, car crash. Though the teen’s boyfriend initially claimed he was driving when the car struck another vehicle after running a red light, other passengers later told authorities it was the female who was behind the wheel.
According to CBS Minnesota, the female motorist did not have a valid driver’s license, and her boyfriend claimed he was driving in an effort to protect her. The July 2015 crash claimed the lives of a 10-year-old girl and her father. Law enforcement officials claim the at-fault driver blew through the red light mere seconds after posting to her Facebook page using her phone. Two other children were also injured in the crash, although they are expected to survive, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Car Accidents is Different Than Civil Liability
An auto injury attorney notes that, whereas criminal charges have been brought in connection with the July 2015 incident, the driver may still be liable under the civil justice system regardless of the outcome of his criminal case.
In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail. Sometimes monetary fines and restitution are imposed on the guilty party. However, the outcome of a criminal matter is often not relevant to a civil matter that could be brought against the person committing the wrongful act. A driver who intentionally harms pedestrians or other drivers commits a crime, but that person may also face civil liability in addition to criminal charges.
How an Auto Injury Attorney Can Help
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of the ability to earn
- Scarring and disfigurement
If a driver or passenger is killed in a car accident, his or her family members may be able to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. Wrongful death damages can include:
- Loss of the economic support of the loved one
- Medical expenses incurred prior to death
- Conscious pain and suffering prior to death
- Loss of the companionship of the loved one
- Funeral expenses
If the actions causing injury are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
People who have been injured in a car accident are advised to seek a qualified auto injury attorney to help them protect their legal rights.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
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