A Nevada auto accident lawyer notes that witness reports suggest that alcohol may have played a role in a car accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Las Vegas. The driver, who initially fled the scene, reportedly failed a blood alcohol concentration test and showed other indications of intoxication immediately after the crash. In addition to criminal charges, people who drive under the influence 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 Nevada personal injury lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Nevada. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Nevada auto accident lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Driver Charged with Driving Under the Influence and Leaving the Scene
The woman who allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian near West Sunset Road in Las Vegas may have been intoxicated at the time of the accident, according to official reports. According to the The Las Vegas Review-Journal, the driver hit the pedestrian and failed to stop after the collision. Tragically, the victim was later pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The woman reportedly drove off and struck another vehicle before stopping on the shoulder of a nearby road, attracting the attention of other drivers. Another motorist who stopped to check on the driver noticed a smell of alcohol in the vehicle, as did the police officer who responded to the scene. The woman was arrested after she failed a breath test, and she has since been charged with driving under the influence resulting in death and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.
Criminal Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents is Different Than Civil Liability
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal action against the driver, the determination of the criminal court is different than any civil case that may be brought against the driver. In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail or probation. 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 person who drives drunk commits a crime, but if that person also injures or kills another person while driving drunk, he or she may face civil liability in addition to criminal charges.
In a civil case, a person’s actions are not judged on whether they were illegal, but instead on whether they constituted negligence, reckless or malicious behavior, or other fault. If those actions are found to constitute fault, and if those actions caused injury to another person, then the wrongful actor may be held liable to the injured party for the payment of money to compensate for the injuries and other damages caused.
How a Nevada Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be able to file a lawsuit with the help of a Nevada auto accident lawyer and recover compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
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.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Nevada. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
