is the guilty party at risk of criminal charges as well?

I would be somewhat surprised if they pursued criminal charges, but I would suggest that he contact a criminal attorney, to get a 2nd opinion from a professional in that field. Having known a very qualified one, by way of opening an office next to his, being married to one of his secretaries for a couple of years and going to one of their office Christmas parties, the most lavish and expensive I have ever attended I might add, those guys always enjoy a good laugh... like, how stupid can one be - Did your mother play basketball with your head?

Their work tends to get a lot more dismal at times. I once referred a rural mail carrier I insured to the above attorney. The insured had hit and killed a 17 year old rural newspaper delivery buy on a bicycle after some drinks after work before driving home, and then fled the scene of the incident at his intoxicated passenger's advice. The attorney got him off with 5 years probation and only charged him a $10,000 attorney's fee.