The Difference Between Criminal Responsibility and Civil Responsibility After a Crash | Car Wreck Paragould AR A serious car accident can leave more than damaged vehicles in its wake. Depending on how the collision occurred, one crash can trigger multiple legal issues, each handled in a different courtroom with a different purpose. Many people assume that if someone is found responsible for causing an accident, the legal process ends there. In reality, that's rarely the case. Understanding the difference between criminal responsibility and civil responsibility can help you better understand your rights after a Car Wreck Paragould AR and why the outcome of one case does not always determine the outcome of another. One Accident Can Lead to Two Separate Cases After a motor vehicle accident, there may be two entirely different legal proceedings. The first is a criminal case , which focuses on whether a driver violated the law. The second is a civil case , which focuses on compensati...