Reckless driving is when someone behind the wheel behaves negligently or with the intent to harm others on the road. This behavior, such as speeding, distracted driving, and not following road rules, puts others at risk of a catastrophic motor vehicle accident. These motor vehicle accidents expose other drivers and passengers to catastrophic impacts that can cause significant damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A reckless driver can be held liable for damages caused by their negligent or intentionally harmful behavior. A car accident lawyer with experience in motor vehicle accident claims caused by reckless drivers can help you assess damages, assign liability, and negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer. The reckless driving accident attorneys at The Russo Firm have decades of experience helping motor vehicle accident victims and can apply that experience to your case.
Distracted Driving is a Form of Reckless Driving
One of the most common causes of car accidents and reckless driving behavior is distracted driving. This is when a driver’s attention shifts from the road to something else, either in the car, outside the car, or on their mind. These are the three types of driver distractions:
- Manual Distractions: This is anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel. It can include eating, texting, putting on makeup, or adjusting your GPS.
- Visual Distractions: Any distraction that takes your eyes off the road is a visual distraction. These can include looking at attractions outside of the car, focusing on a conversation in the car, or looking at the phone while texting.
- Cognitive Distractions: This is anything that takes your focus and attention away from the road. It can include thinking about work, reflecting on an earlier conversation, or worrying about something other than driving.
A driver who does not focus on the road can ignore other cars, traffic signals, and pedestrians walking in front of the car. They will not be able to adjust their car to account for obstacles on the road, which can cause a car accident as a result. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 3,142 fatalities related to distracted driving in 2020.
Motor Vehicle Accidents Caused by Speeding
Drivers may become frustrated by low-speed limits and stalled traffic and opt to drive above the speed limit to get to their destination faster. Their attempt to get to their location on time can lead to speeding and cause a car accident. By going above the speed limit, drivers will have less room for error behind the wheel.
Speeding drivers will have reduced reaction time, limited ability to maneuver their vehicle correctly, and less time to adjust to a red light. Any lapse in judgment behind the wheel while speeding can cause catastrophic damage to others on the road. A high-speed collision can cause severe injury and long-term harm.
Impaired Driving Can Cause Significant Harm to Others on the Road
Using alcohol and drugs can impair a person’s vision, decision-making, and reaction time, making driving a difficult task. Drivers that do not have their full mental capabilities will make mistakes behind the wheel that can cause major harm to others on the road.
While people leaving parties and clubs after a night of drinking are the main impaired drivers people point toward as negligent, those that use medication can also have their senses affected. Products containing antihistamines can impair judgment just like drugs and alcohol. Drivers who use pain relievers, stimulants, and diet medications can be held liable for impaired driving caused by their medication.
Motor Vehicle Accidents Caused by Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is when someone operates a vehicle while fatigued or on the verge of falling asleep. These drivers will have limited mental faculties, which can lead to mistakes like going above the speed limit, changing lanes at the wrong time, or making ill-advised turns. Not getting enough sleep, using sleep medication, or working for too long without a break can cause drowsiness or fatigue behind the wheel. Drowsy drivers can be held liable for negligent behavior that causes a motor vehicle accident.
Failure to Follow Road Rules is Reckless Driving Behavior
The rules and laws that dictate driving behavior are there to prevent automobile accidents. Those who break those rules put others at risk and can cause motor vehicle collisions. Breaking these rules intentionally can lead to a driver crashing into other vehicles, causing motor vehicle accidents through negligence.
The following are some of the road rules that drivers can break and cause a motor vehicle accident:
- Driving above the speed limit
- Not using turn signals
- Tailgating
- Improper passing
- Not observing right-of-way laws
- Running red and yellow lights
If you were involved in an accident caused by breaking road rules, the at-fault driver could be held liable in a reckless driving accident claim. A reckless driving accident lawyer can assist you with assessing damages and collecting evidence proving the reckless driver’s liability.
Severe Injuries Caused by Reckless Driving
Reckless driving can bring others into direct harm through many types of collisions, including rear-end, sideswipe, and T-bone collisions. The impact of a car crash can result in your body experiencing pressure and trauma that can injure parts of your body. A reckless driving accident victim can suffer a severe injury through blunt force or penetrating trauma, whiplash, direct contact with a hard object, or crushing impact from being pressed between two hard objects.
The following are some of the severe injuries caused by a reckless driving accident that you can pursue compensation for:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Chest injuries
- Infections
- Internal injuries
Damages You Can Seek From a Reckless Driver
A reckless driver can cause damages through their negligent driving behavior that you can pursue compensation for. Damages are losses caused by a reckless driver’s negligent or intentionally harmful behavior. A reckless driving accident lawyer can help assess your current and future damages to determine the full cost of your injuries.
Your reckless driving accident attorney can help you pursue economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those with a bill or monetary value attached to them that your lawyer can easily point to, which include medical bills, lost wages, and property damages. Non-economic damages are those without a specific monetary value but still cause harm or negative changes to your life. These include loss of society, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.
The following are some of the car accident damages you can pursue compensation for in a reckless driving accident claim:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Disability costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium/companionship
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You File a Reckless Driving Accident Claim?
You can handle a reckless car accident claim on your own, but your lack of experience in handling personal injury claims may cause you to make a mistake that can hurt your ability to recover full compensation. Hiring a car accident lawyer is your best chance to recover full compensation for your reckless driving damages. They can handle the process correctly and will know when to do certain steps in the process. Their experience in negotiating settlements with insurers can also help as the insurer attempts to deny, evaluate, or delay your claim.
The following are some of the ways a reckless driving accident attorney can help with your case:
- Assess your reckless driving accident damages
- Determine which party drove recklessly and caused the car crash
- Send a demand letter to the reckless driver’s insurer
- Collect evidence and important records that can prove the reckless driver’s liability
- Interview witnesses and experts to strengthen your reckless driving accident case
- Negotiate a settlement with the reckless driver’s insurance company
- Represent you in a reckless accident lawsuit court case
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Reckless Driving Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, our car accident lawyers have specific experience in helping victims of every kind of reckless driving. Whether you were stuck by a distracted, drunk, or drowsy driver, we have a lawyer with experience in that type of claim that can help. Our car accident lawyers help clients by maintaining constant communication, sculpting a personalized legal counsel plan based on the specifics of your case.
If you were involved in a reckless driving accident, you could get a free consultation with the Russo Law Firm’s reckless driving accident lawyers to see how they can help you recover compensation for your damages. Contact us at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.