Colorado Springs Vehicular Homicide Lawyer Is Here to Help You With Your Situation

Modern automobiles are high-powered machines capable of doing a lot of harm. And when you add human error, drugs, and alcohol to the mix, accidents can and do happen. When a pedestrian or other driver is killed by a vehicle operated recklessly or under the influence, that accident becomes vehicular homicide.

A motorist commits vehicular homicide when they drive recklessly or under the influence and are responsible for another person’s death. Even if the victim doesn’t die at the scene of the accident, if the results of their injuries are deemed the proximate cause of death then you have a case of vehicular homicide. No one intended for this to happen. But all it takes is one bad, life-altering decision.

Even when it was a complete accident, vehicular homicide cases are still all about assigning blame. Whether one was driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, vehicular homicide is a felony. If you have been charged with vehicular homicide in the state of Colorado, you need a defense lawyer right away. In Colorado Springs, Joyner Law has years of experience defending people from vehicular homicide charges. Securing legal representation now is your first step to a strong defense.

What is the Difference Between Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is when one causes the death of another by taking substantial and unjustifiable risks behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. A driver is deemed to be driving in a reckless manner when they know they are not exercising clear judgment while operating an automobile. Basically, if an accident could have been avoided were the driver not to drive recklessly and, instead, operated their motor vehicle with all due caution, it would not be deemed homicide. But when reckless actions in the driver’s seat lead to the wrongful death of another, then you have vehicular homicide, which is a class 4 felony.

Vehicular homicide can also be the result of driving under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs. When drugs or alcohol are responsible for the car accident which caused the death of another, this is a class 3 felony. Even if the accused was not driving recklessly, if the driver consumed alcohol, one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and drugs, this will be considered vehicular homicide. It doesn’t matter if the drug was prescribed to you.

Vehicular homicide is a serious crime that often receives high-profile, aggressively prosecuted cases. Contact a Colorado Springs vehicular homicide lawyer today to protect your rights and future.

What are the Serious Penalties for a Vehicular Homicide Charge?

If you are found guilty of the class 4 felony of vehicular homicide which came as the result of reckless driving, you could face financial penalties as well as prison time.

If you get a class 3 felony conviction for vehicular homicide which came as the result of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you could face years in prison and fines up to $750,000. The severity of the charges and legal penalties may be dependent on the specific felonies and the substances in your system at the time of your arrest.

How Can Vehicular Homicide Lawyers Help Me?

In Colorado, every driver gives “express consent” to tests for blood alcohol levels. If pulled over for probable cause, a DUI test or the defendant’s blood can be taken and run for analysis. Other competent evidence could also be used against the driver charged with vehicular homicide.

Your defense attorney will attempt to build a case to protect your rights.

Vehicular homicide cases can be intense. The law and the victim’s family will seek the most severe criminal charge. Motor vehicle accidents are tragedies, but accidents just the same. Hire a defense lawyer in Colorado Springs for your best hope of avoiding the worst outcome in civil court.

Hire the Services of Joyner Law

Every vehicular homicide case is different. Your actions when in control of a vehicle should be careful and cautious. But we know accidents happen. The law will provide an aggressive prosecution, seeking to punish you for the accidental death of another.

You need a defense team that’s just as aggressive.

Joyner Law has years of experience defending those accused of vehicular homicide in Colorado. Call today at (719) 294-0566.