If you hit a pedestrian, you may face consequences such as criminal charges, losing your license, fines, or jail term. The confusing question is ‘can you get in trouble for almost hitting a pedestrian?’ the answer is no. Almost hitting someone is not an offense. They cannot sue you. If you are unsure of what to do, seek the help of your Austin personal injury attorney.
Lawsuits are about seeking compensation for damages that result from negligence. If there are no damages, there are no grounds for a suit. If, however, you were violating traffic laws, you can get in trouble for them. You are unlikely to almost hit a pedestrian without violating the available regulations.
What Type of Trouble Can You Get In?
DUI/DWI
Driving intoxicated is a criminal offense. You can get into trouble for it even if you didn’t hurt anyone. If you are arrested and convicted for DUI/DWI, you may face jail time or a fine. In such cases, hitting a pedestrian would be considered an ‘aggravating circumstance.’
Over speeding
Over speeding is a common cause of accidents. If you were caught over speeding, you will be given a ticket. It does not matter whether you hit a pedestrian. There are speed limits anywhere. Going faster than you should might cause fatal accidents. If you hit a pedestrian while driving at high speed, their chances of survival are reduced.
Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Driving recklessly endangers your life as well as other road users. Some reckless habits include; texting while driving, failure to use turn signals, and doing any other activities that take your attention away from the road. You can get in trouble for reckless or aggressive driving even if no one really gets hurt.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Red lights may be annoying but they are there for a reason. Running stop signs and red lights endangers other people. You may be risking other people’s lives just to save a few minutes. It is a traffic violation even when you don’t actually hurt anyone.
Unsafe Lane Changes
You must always alert other drivers when you are about to make a move that affects them. When you want to change lanes, use your signal. Changing your lanes without paying thought to it may make you pay a huge fine.
Can you get in trouble for almost hitting a pedestrian? Even though the answer is no, you can still get in trouble for violating traffic regulations.
Are you looking for an Austin personal injury attorney? Consider working with Robert Littlefield Buford III, Attorney at Law. We are a specialized practice that can take care of all your personal injury and criminal defense cases. We deliver effective trial representation in Austin. If you or a loved one have been arrested for suspicion of violating traffic regulations, our attorneys are always willing to help. We have handled plenty of traffic violation cases over the years. Call or contact our office today and request a free and confidential consultation.
