Washington State is lucky to play host to a variety of different landscapes and environments. It is widely regarded as the de facto Pacific Northwest destination for Americans and others who want a taste of largely untouched wilderness and access to the North Pacific. It is also a very large state with its own share of urban and rural environments, and for many, that means travel by automobile is a must.
However, as with any other part of the United States, the need for automobile travel by so many people guarantees that there will never be a perfect traffic system. With so many cars and other vehicles on the road and so many people with different aptitudes and states of mind, mistakes are going to happen. While some mistakes can be easily recovered from behind the wheel, others can have damaging or even fatal consequences for people beyond the driver who made an error. In some cases, these mistakes can even result in charges from law enforcement, and negligent driving charges are one such possible legal consequence.
For many decades, our experienced attorneys have successfully handled legal cases all over Washington State, whether they are simple civil cases or complex criminal trials. We are ready to provide legal services to cities like Tacoma and the surrounding region. We have substantial legal experience helping people deal with the stressful situation that is being charged with negligent driving.
Tacoma’s RoadwaysTacoma is situated just south of Seattle, the state’s largest city, and is also located on the shores of Puget Sound. For people with motor vehicles, this puts plenty of desirable destinations within easy access, whether that is the restaurants and nightlife of a major city of the world or the natural splendor of Washington State’s forests and shorelines. However, the number of people on the road, the weather conditions during a given time of year, and the physical and mental condition of the drivers all work together to create circumstances in which a careless error can result in an accident. In fact, Washington State frequently ranks as one of the top states in the country for multi-car collisions.
Of course, car accidents can occur for any number of reasons. People still learning to drive, such as teenagers, may be prone to mistakes, and, unfortunately, impaired driving accidents are on the rise as well. However, accidents can also occur because people aren’t exercising the care and responsibility they need to while on the road, and this is where other charges, such as negligent driving, come into play.
Ignoring ResponsibilityThere are a series of vehicular offenses that are considered criminal acts, with violations such as reckless driving, driving under the influence, and some types of negligent driving all classed together. There are essentially two types of negligent driving that drivers may be charged with, and within each is another subcategory. Of course, the actual charge of negligent driving is, on the surface, fairly easy to understand. The act of negligence in driving is defined as not exercising the due care that a person behind the wheel is legally required to execute. Weaving in and out of traffic in an attempt to get past cars perceived to be slower or not paying attention to traffic signs such as speed limits or yield signs are two common examples.
In both cases, drivers may not mean anyone harm, but they ignore their basic responsibility to show situational awareness of road conditions and laws, even by simple error. Ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law, especially if those actions result in damage to property or the harm of others.
The most serious negligent driving charge that a person can face is:
Negligent Driving In The First DegreeNegligent driving in the first degree is considered a criminal act, though in this case, it is a misdemeanor, the least severe type of criminal offense. In some instances, driving under the influence, whether that is through consuming alcohol or drugs like marijuana, may result in a lesser charge of negligent driving in the first degree rather than a more serious charge of driving while under the influence. Similar symptoms, such as impaired reflexes or poor judgment, are still of note in such a charge. The likelihood of harsher penalties is higher if the consumption of illegal drugs is involved.
Negligent driving may also involve harm to others. There is a subcategory of negligent driving known as negligent driving with a vulnerable user victim. Here, the focus is not on property damage but on actual physical harm to someone considered vulnerable. Common examples of vulnerable victims include cyclists in bike lanes or road shoulders who are hit by drivers anyway, pedestrians, or even school children crossing the street.
Because negligent driving in the first degree is considered a criminal offense, this does mean that potentially more serious consequences are possible. While people found guilty of first-degree negligence won’t spend years in jail, imprisonment of up to 90 days is possible. In addition, there are the expected fines, as well as possible probation and ignition interlock requirements for a vehicle. In terms of records, a negligent driving charge would remain on your driving record for five years. The criminal record, however, is permanent, though it is possible to have it stricken from the record after three years or, if it was a plea-bargained down from a DUI charge, ten years.
We’re Here To HelpWe believe that even when people are facing legal charges, such as negligent driving, these charges still have the potential to be challenged and mitigate the consequences people face. Our lawyers have been diligently challenging negligent driving charges in Western Washington and the rest of Washington state for over 20 years. If you, a loved one, or someone else you know is facing negligent driving charges, a negligent driving attorney has the experience and knowledge to help change the legal outcome of such charges. Our Tacoma negligent driving attorneys are experienced, passionate lawyers who can help people facing negligent driving charges avoid having to deal with the most punishing consequences of this offense.