You could go to jail for a fatal car accident. Nevada statute 484B.657 makes vehicular manslaughter a misdemeanor offense–if the driver proximately causes the death of another person through negligence or an act of omission. However, not all accidents are caused by negligence. The highway might have been dangerous due to inclement weather, such as a blizzard or torrential downpour, causing a motorist to lose control, or there might have been a vehicle malfunction, e.g., the brakes failed.
If you lost a loved one in a car accident, contact us at Valiente Mott for a free consultation. Your choice of a personal injury lawyer is an important one. Put your trust in our team of skilled attorneys for aggressive, client-focused advocacy that gets results.
What is Vehicular Manslaughter in Nevada?
A driver who causes the death of another person due to negligence could be found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. This criminal charge is typically reserved for cases where a person caused a fatal accident due to their reckless or dangerous actions. They are often arrested on these charges. For example, a fatality that occurs in an accident caused by a drunk driver could be considered vehicular manslaughter.
What happens in a hit-and-run accident?
State law requires that motorists remain at the scene of an accident when a fatality or serious bodily injury is involved. The failure to do this is a violation of state hit-and-run laws. Leaving the scene of a fatal accident is treated as a felony, and the perpetrator could spend up to two years in prison.
What is a Civil lawsuit?
Not every fatal accident will result in criminal charges. In many situations, the negligent person’s actions will not rise to the level of a felony. However, they may face additional consequences. For example, surviving relatives of the victim have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. While this legal action will not result in the negligent party going to jail, it could result in a monetary judgment against them.
These cases are often complex, which makes the guidance of a skilled Las Vegas car accident attorney essential. Let our team advise you of your rights.
Contact us at Valiente Mott for a free consultation
If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you could be entitled to a monetary award. In some situations, a civil lawsuit is the only avenue for justice. If the responsible driver is not charged with a crime, you still have an opportunity to pursue a wrongful death claim. Reach out to Valiente Mott to learn more during a free consultation. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your injuries. We look forward to hearing from you.