An allegation of causing death by dangerous driving is extremely serious, for free initial advice 24/7 call 0845 00 20736 or complete our online enquiry form. Causing death by dangerous driving is one of the most serious, if not the most serious, of all motoring offences. If convicted of causing death by dangerous driving you will almost inevitably receive a prison sentence. These cases can only be dealt with by a Crown Court and if you plead not guilty your case will be heard before a jury.
In recent years the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving has been increased to 14 years imprisonment which could have a devastating impact on anyone convicted of the offence. The Court has also the power to impose a disqualification from driving for a minimum of 2 years and an extended driving test.
If you have been involved in an incident where the death of another has been caused then it is vital that you obtain immediate legal advice so that your side of the story is conveyed to the Police at an early stage. The defence process needs to be started early on so that you receive good clear legal advice on how to proceed.
In order to prove the offence the prosecution must establish that your driving would have been obviously dangerous to a reasonably competent driver, and that driving was a cause of the death of another person. The driving may be alleged to be dangerous for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, driving at high speeds, aggressive driving, overtaking where it is illegal to do so, ignoring road signs or traffic markings, driving a vehicle which is not road worthy and driving under the influence of excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs.
The most effective way to defend cases that fall into this category is by putting forward a strong factual defence to establish that you did not drive in the manner alleged by the prosecution. At Stephensons our specialist motoring offences solicitors can help by taking your detailed instructions on what really happened, obtaining witness statements, collating expert reports and carrying out accident and scene reconstructions.
If you face investigation or prosecution for an offence of causing death by dangerous driving the importance of seeking early expert legal advice cannot be overstated.
Our expert solicitors have a proven track record of success in this area and have successfully defended many cases. We have acted for both private individuals and HGV drivers and have widespread experience of analysing prosecution evidence and preparing an effective defence. We also have strong relationships with leading experts in the field of accident reconstruction - this evidence is often a crucial part of any defence.
We can assist you from the very outset of an investigation, by accompanying you to the Police Station for interview, all the way through to conclusion at trial.
