Hypothetical Dilemma

[Spooner]

You are driving down the road and a dog runs out in front of you (owner is present without the dog leashed) - you swerve on instinct causing an accident with another vehicle that results in a death. Should you be charged with manslaughter or is the dog owner liable as it should have been leashed?

 

[iamwiz82]

You swerved, you lost control of your vehicle, it's your fault. Always hit the animal.

 

[franksta]

Driver: Shouldn't have swerved into oncoming traffic

 

[Vic]

Always hit the dog.

 

[Electric Amish]

I'd go with Negligent Homicide on the part of the dog owner, assuming there is a leash law.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

your fault. that's why i don't flich when a cat or squirrel runs in front of my car.

 

[ggnl]

It's your fault for swerving, but no one should be charged with a crime. It was an accident.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
You swerved, you lost control of your vehicle, it's your fault. Always hit the animal.

 

[Saint Nick]

this didn't really happen to you right lol

ahh i guess thats why he wrote "hypothetical"

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
You swerved, you lost control of your vehicle, it's your fault. Always hit the animal.

dude is this your chick?

she's smokin'!

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: ggnl
It's your fault for swerving, but no one should be charged with a crime. It was an accident.

LOL.
This hypothetical situation is in the US right?
Accident, lol.

 

[Juice Box]

is the owner of the dog driving the car? Didnt think so...

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
You swerved, you lost control of your vehicle, it's your fault. Always hit the animal.

QFT.

 

[Nitemare]

Swerve and hit the owner

 

[BigJ]

I was under the impression that they still taught you never to swerve unless it's a very large animal (Deer, Elk, Moose, etc). Regardless, you should be charged with manslaughter.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Spooner
You are driving down the road and a dog runs out in front of you (owner is present without the dog leashed) - you swerve on instinct causing an accident with another vehicle that results in a death. Should you be charged with manslaughter or is the dog owner liable as it should have been leashed?

I wouldn't swerve into another vehicle in that situation. I'd try to stop but I wouldn't swerve.

 

[Spooner]

I don't think there is a law to "never swerve"

 

[Baked]

You give it more gas and hope the damn dog's the only thing you hit.

 

[Rainsford]

My understanding is that driving laws are based on the idea that you should be in control of your car at all times. If you can't react to a reasonable emergency situation without causing a worse emergency, you aren't in control of your car. Obviously this isn't always possible, but if an owner is walking their dog, chances are this was a local road. If you can't stop in time if someone/something runs out into a local road, you are driving too fast.

 

[mugs]

I don't think anyone should be charged with manslaughter in that situation...

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: ggnl
It's your fault for swerving, but no one should be charged with a crime. It was an accident.

I'd split blame between both (poll option?). As far as criminal charges? Absolutely. Intent or not, a life is lost, a family is likely devastated.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
You swerved, you lost control of your vehicle, it's your fault. Always hit the animal.

 

[Excelsior]

The 9 who voted for the dog owner should be sterilized.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Rainsford
My understanding is that driving laws are based on the idea that you should be in control of your car at all times. If you can't react to a reasonable emergency situation without causing a worse emergency, you aren't in control of your car. Obviously this isn't always possible, but if an owner is walking their dog, chances are this was a local road. If you can't stop in time if someone/something runs out into a local road, you are driving too fast.

If you're driving 15MPH down a residential road, and a dog darts out in front of you, it's still going to take a few feet and seconds to come to a complete stop.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
The 9 who voted for the dog owner should be sterilized.

So someone throwing things in the road / at cars wouldn't be guilty of a crime, in your opinion?