It is not as serious as you think despite the seriousness of the topic. If it was a true accident, no negligence, etc it would be very common to get away with j

It is not as serious as you think despite the seriousness of the topic. If it was a true accident, no negligence, etc it would be very common to get away with just a fine or a ticket, not even going to jail. We (USA) are a culture very accustomed to cars and what they impose on society. A friends relative got killed after a car lost control on an embankment turn and crashed into their living room - driver walked away unscathed and without even a ticket.