Vehicular homicide is one of the worst charges anyone could have to deal with. Not only do you have to live with the fact that you killed someone, but this is a label you may have to bear for the rest of your life. This is why it’s very important that you do everything right from the get-go to make sure that your rights are respected and that you get a fair sentence. Let’s take a look at what you should do if you’ve been involved in a vehicular homicide.
Never Assume Responsibility
First of all, you should never admit responsibility. This is for your lawyer and the prosecution to find out. Never assume that you’re the one at cause here, even if you feel partially responsible. It’s normal for people to feel survivor’s guilt, especially if the other party has suffered injuries. However, you have no idea what the other person was doing. Maybe they were themselves negligent in some way. Maybe they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Or maybe they were using their phones. These are all things that could end up exonerating you later.
Another thing you should not do is apologize at any point to the other party. Doing so could be seen as an admission of guilt.
Know the Laws in Your Area
You should also know the different laws in your area regarding vehicular homicide. Some states might be tougher than others, and if there are aggravating factors in your case, such as alcohol, for instance, it’s very important that you speak with a vehicular homicide lawyer to know what the possible penalties could be. This is also when you will start building a case and finding ways to alleviate your charges.
As a matter of fact, the only person you should be talking to about the facts of the incident is your lawyer. A lawyer will be the best person to support you at the moment as they will be the only ones able to give you sound and productive advice. Also, be very careful about what you say to police officials. They are skilled at getting you to divulge things that may seem innocent at first glance, but could end up incriminating you.
Having an Interview with the Insurance Company
Speaking of which, you should never agree to give information to any insurance company that isn’t required. You have to know that the nature of insurance companies is to avoid paying out, and that none are working in your best interest. This may sound cynical, but that’s the truth. The other party’s insurance company will try to find you guilty, and your own insurance company could be trying to put the blame on you so they can pay fewer damages or raise your rates. So, if you must give any statement to an insurance company, you have to make sure that you run it by your lawyer first.
Dealing with vehicular homicide is never easy, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to get the fairest judgment possible. The most important part is working with a reputable lawyer with solid experience dealing with these types of cases.