Hitting a pedestrian may not sound like something to worry about but it happens more often than you may imagine. In 2017, there were more than 5,970 pedestrian deaths and a total of 5,890 traffic crashes had the death of at least one pedestrian. The charges for hitting a pedestrian differ depending on the nature of the accident. If you get into an accident and hit a pedestrian, get the help of your Austin personal injury attorney.
The charges for hitting a pedestrian may include the following;
Criminal Penalties
1. DUI/DWI
If you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be charged. The fact that you hit a pedestrian will make your sentence worse than it would have been. You may face a jail term or a fine.
2. Hit and run
If you hit a pedestrian, the law requires you to stop and contact the police. If you flee the scene of the accident, you may face both criminal and felony charges. If you are arrested for hit and run, you may face a prison sentence.
3. Vehicle Manslaughter
Unfortunately, many car-pedestrian accidents lead to death. If you accidentally kill a pedestrian in an accident, you may face criminal charges. The charges depend on the specifics of the accident. If you were negligent or over speeding, you may be charged with involuntary manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter.
This is a rare occurrence. You are unlikely to be charged with vehicular manslaughter unless you were incredibly negligent. If there is no proof that you were negligent, you may be charged with wrongful death.
Civil Penalties
1. Personal Injury Claims
If you hit a pedestrian, they are likely to seek compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage. They may file a third-party auto insurance claim with your insurance provider. If you were not at fault, work with your Austin personal injury attorney to prove it.
If the pedestrian wishes to get compensation for damages, the burden of proof lies with them. They must prove that you were negligent.
2. Wrongful Death Suit
If the pedestrian dies, their family may seek compensation for wrongful death. The claim is only valid if they can prove that you were negligent and that your negligence led to the death of their loved one. They may seek settlement for lost companionship, funeral costs, and loss of support.
If you are looking for an Austin personal injury attorney, consider hiring Robert Littlefield Buford III, Attorney at Law. We have a team of professional and experienced attorneys that may help you through the entire process. We are glad to handle cases in any state or federal courts in Texas. If you are facing criminal or civil charges, you need a reliable attorney to work with. We have experience in representing criminal defendants. It does not matter whether you are facing a serious felony or just a misdemeanor. If you hit a pedestrian, contact us today and get a free and confidential consultation.
