An Oregon woman faces 71 felony charges for allegedly driving her vehicle into a crowd of people in Las Vegas and causing devastating injuries to several of them. In an addition to criminal charges, drivers who recklessly or intentionally cause injury to others can be liable for paying money damages to their victims. A Nevada car accident attorney can help injured parties and the families of those killed.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Nevada to learn more about your options in a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. If you wish to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated Nevada car accident attorney.
Driver Kills One, Injures 35 Others
The tragic December 2015 incident claimed the life of one person, severely injured 11 others and caused non-life-threatening injuries to an additional 24 individuals, the Las Vegas Sun reports. Authorities believe that the woman intentionally drove her vehicle into the crowd of pedestrians and that intoxication was not a contributing factor.
The woman now faces multiple charges of murder, attempted murder and battery with a deadly weapon. She also has been charged with two counts of child abuse, neglect or endangerment, due to the presence of her daughter in the vehicle and an 11-year old child in the crowd. If convicted of all of these charges, the woman could be sentenced to more than 1,000 years in prison, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Car Accidents is Different Than Civil Liability
Car accident attorneys note that, whereas criminal charges have been brought in connection with the December 2015 incident, the driver may still be liable under the civil justice system regardless of the outcome of her 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 a Nevada Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Additionally, drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income or ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from an injury
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:
- Mental anguish, and pain and suffering from the loss of a loved one
- Loss of relationship or financial support of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
- Conscious pain and suffering or a loved one prior to death
People who have been injured in a car accident are advised to seek a qualified Nevada car accident attorney to help them protect their legal rights.
Contact Us For More Information
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Attorney Group for Nevada for more information. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or 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 for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Nevada today.
