It's a confusing concept to many. How can a man plead guilty to causing a drunk driving accident but then turn around to sue the supposed victim for injury? ABC News reports that it was a 2007 DUI accident in Florida that has led to this complicated legal turn of events.

This story highlights that a guilty plea may not always be what the public makes it out to be. It's not always a blatant admission of guilt; rather, it can be a way to hurry up the legal process and try to move on with one's life. Or, it can be a way to avoid a potentially harsher sentence.

On Christmas Day in 2007, a fatal car accident occurred in Florida. A man was charged for the accident that ultimately killed three people. He wound up pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter, a move that he and his attorney claim was made to avoid a possible life sentence following a trial. The plea deal landed the defendant in prison for 12 years.

Despite being in the process of serving that sentence and that the public sees the man's guilty plea as a confession, the inmate is seeking justice himself. He is suing the estate of the other driver who was involved and died in the crash. He claims that the supposed victim was the one who caused the accident because he recklessly changed lanes.

The defendant-turned-plaintiff wants damages to help cover his medical bills and to compensate him for the personal and emotional losses he's suffered following the crash. The fate of this case will likely depend on whether a jury can wrap its brain around the various motivations behind plea deals.

Source

ABC News: "Florida Man Guilty of DUI Manslaughter Sues Victim," Edward Lovett, Jan. 18, 2012