Background
Our client ran a red light while turning left and collided with an oncoming vehicle travelling straight, injuring the other driver, who required three weeks of treatment. Running a red light is one of the "twelve major negligence categories" under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents, and this accident was not covered by insurance either.
What Was at Stake
Where one of the twelve major negligence categories combines with injury to the victim and no insurance cover, even a first offender ordinarily finds a suspended sentence or a fine hard to avoid. The position was very unfavorable for our client.
How Changchun Helped
From the earliest stage, Changchun (attorney Jaeeun Byun) opened negotiations with the victim and reached an amicable settlement, and made a thorough showing of our client's circumstances through the response to questioning and submissions at the investigation stage.
The prosecution accordingly issued a suspension of indictment rather than sending the case to trial. The case shows how greatly the outcome can change with an early response and efforts to make the victim whole, even where matters look unfavorable. (Outcomes depend on the facts of each case and may differ.)