Are Car Accidents Civil or Criminal? Get the Answers Here

America is losing the war on car accidents. Nearly 39,000 Americans died in traffic crashes during 2020. That’s an increase of 7.2% from the previous year.

Even if you weren’t injured in an accident, a car accident can be very disorienting. The law doesn’t help matters. Take some time to recover from the accident, and then get the facts so you can go to court.

Are car accidents civil or criminal? What are the circumstances that lead to a criminal court case? When should you go to a lawyer for help?

Answer these questions and you can plan your future after a car accident. Here is your quick guide.

Hit-And-Run Accidents

After an accident, drivers should pull over and exchange their contact information. This allows each driver to talk to their insurance company and work out terms for compensation.

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver is involved in an accident and chooses to leave the scene. All 50 states have laws against hit-and-run crashes, and drivers who flee may face felony charges.

If you get into an accident and everyone pulls over, you can press for a civil case. If they leave, you should contact the police and press for criminal action. The driver who fled may cause another accident if you don’t do anything.

DUIs

Driving under the influence is another crime that all 50 states regulate. If a driver has a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, they are committing a crime just by getting in the driver’s seat. If they cause an accident, they can be charged with reckless driving and other criminal offenses.

You may contact a car accident lawyer and press for a civil lawsuit after a DUI. Drinking while driving increases someone’s fault percentage, so you can expect a higher compensation payout. Make sure you find a lawyer who is familiar with both car accidents and criminal charges, as many lawyers only have experience with civil suits.

Fatal Car Accidents

Whatever the cause of the accident, a prosecutor can press charges if someone died from their injuries. Someone who is intoxicated and kills someone can receive a vehicular homicide charge.

However, fatal car accidents also allow for civil lawsuits. You may be able to receive millions of dollars from your loved one’s insurer. You should contact an attorney for car accidents after a fatal accident so you know what your rights are.

So Are Car Accidents Civil or Criminal?

People have a lot of questions about car accidents. Are car accidents civil or criminal?

Any car accident can lead to civil action, even a minor crash. You can ask for compensation for a damaged vehicle and/or your medical expenses.

If the driver flees the scene, they have violated the law. They also violate the law when they drink and drive or when they kill someone. Yet you can create a civil lawsuit while prosecutors work on a criminal case.

A lawyer can help you when you know the facts. Read more legal guides by following our coverage.