ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Vehicular Homicide Defense | Haskell & Dyer
A Tragic Accident Is Not the Same as a Crime. The Science Often Proves It.
Vehicular homicide cases turn on accident reconstruction, impairment evidence, and the question of negligence. We bring in the experts to challenge the State's version of how the crash happened and whether it was a crime at all.
If You're Facing This Charge
Say nothing about the crash. Call a lawyer immediately.
After a fatal crash, what you say to police or at the scene can be used to build a vehicular homicide case against you, even when the death was a genuine accident. With prison and a homicide conviction on the line, the most important step is to stay silent and call a defense lawyer before any questioning.
The Core Question
Accident, Negligence, or Crime?
Not every fatal crash is a crime. These cases live on the difference between a tragic accident and conduct the law treats as criminal.
The Negligence Line
Ordinary vs. Gross Negligence
A fatal mistake behind the wheel is not automatically a crime. The State often has to prove gross negligence, a serious departure from how a reasonable driver acts, not just an ordinary error. That line is where many of these cases are won.
The Impairment Claim
When DUI Is Alleged
Many vehicular homicide cases hinge on alleged impairment. We challenge the stop, the testing, and whether impairment, rather than the other driver, the road, or the conditions, actually caused the death.
Where These Cases Are Fought
The Crash Evidence the State Relies On
Vehicular homicide cases are built on physical and forensic evidence. Each piece is something we and our experts can challenge.
Accident reconstruction
Skid marks and vehicle damage
Vehicle data recorder downloads
Blood or breath testing
Speed and impact analysis
Road and weather conditions
Witness accounts
The other driver's conduct
What's at Stake
Serious Charges After a Fatal Crash
A vehicular homicide conviction carries consequences well beyond the courtroom.
Prison
Significant incarceration on a conviction
Record
A homicide conviction that follows you
License
Loss of driving privileges on top of the case
Future
Effects on work, reputation, and your life
How We Defend a Vehicular Homicide Charge
We fight the science with science, and we hold the State to proving the crash was a crime, not just a tragedy.
We Bring In Experts
Our own accident reconstructionists and forensic experts test the State's version of how the crash happened.
We Challenge Causation
The other driver, the road, the weather, or a mechanical issue may have caused the death. We press hard on what actually did.
We Attack the Impairment Case
Where DUI is alleged, we challenge the stop, the testing, and whether impairment caused the crash at all.
We Press the Negligence Line
We argue the conduct was an ordinary mistake, not the gross negligence the crime requires, where the facts support it.
Common Questions
Vehicular Homicide, Answered
It was an accident. How can I be charged with homicide?
Not every fatal crash is a crime, but the State can charge vehicular homicide when it claims the driving was grossly negligent or impaired. The defense often turns on showing the death was a genuine accident or an ordinary mistake, not the serious, criminal conduct the charge requires.
What is the difference between ordinary and gross negligence?
Ordinary negligence is the kind of mistake any driver might make. Gross negligence is a serious, reckless departure from how a reasonable person would drive. Many vehicular homicide charges require that higher level, and showing the conduct was only ordinary negligence can defeat the charge.
How important is accident reconstruction?
It is often the heart of the case. The State uses reconstruction to argue speed, fault, and what happened. We bring in our own experts to test those conclusions, and a flawed reconstruction can fall apart under real scrutiny, changing the whole picture.
They say I was impaired. Can that be challenged?
Yes. We challenge the stop, how testing was done, and whether the results are reliable. Just as important, we press on causation, whether any impairment actually caused the crash, or whether the road, conditions, or the other driver did. Both are open to a real defense.
What should I do after a fatal crash?
Say as little as possible and call a lawyer immediately. Statements at the scene or to investigators can be used to build a case against you, even when the death was an accident. Getting a defense involved early, before key evidence is locked in, makes a real difference.
Charged After a Fatal Crash? Let's Challenge the State's Version.
These cases turn on the science and on whether a tragedy was actually a crime. Tell us what happened and get an honest read on how we fight it. The first conversation is free and confidential.
Arrested or being questioned? Call our 24/7 line now: 240-687-0179
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC
Fax: 301-627-5848
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