An accident may involve two side of the law.
(1) A driver caused B driver damage. B driver may seek compensation from A driver. This is a civil dispute and usually handled by their insurance company. In rare cases the dispute will go to court, the court is the civil court.
(2) The government might charge A driver a crime of driving careless, run the stop sign etc. The goal is to enforce public safety. This is criminal side of the accident.
Criminal law defines following level of seriousness
(a) infraction, such as run a stop sign, speeding etc. Usually ends up in fines.
(b) misdameanor, for crimes punishable under 1 year of detention.
(c) fenoly, for crimes punishable over 1 years of incarsaration.
