Reckless Driving Car Accident Lawyers
Victims of reckless driving car accidents often struggle with physical injuries, financial hardships, and emotional trauma after being hurt in a car crash. Others involved in the accident may wonder if they have any legal options. If a reckless driver injured you, you deserve justice. An experienced reckless driving attorney from NST Law will help you get maximum compensation for your losses while you focus on your recovery.
Reckless driving goes beyond simple carelessness. A driver is reckless if they act with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of other people or their property. Recklessly operating a vehicle creates substantial risks or endangers the lives of others. While each state has different definitions and criteria for reckless driving, they are generally similar.
The penalties for reckless driving differ from state to state, but each state typically treats it as a serious traffic offense with possible criminal consequences. In addition, car accident victims can claim compensation for their losses through a civil car accident case.
Accident victims shouldn’t have to pay the price when a reckless driver decides to take chances on the road. The resulting accidents tend to be more severe due to the nature of reckless conduct. Most car accidents leave victims and their families with painful injuries and expensive medical bills while insurance companies unfairly deny or diminish their claims. Because reckless driving accident claims can be complex, you need an experienced attorney on your side. At NST Law, our skilled reckless driving attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Hiring NST Law for Reckless Driving Car Accidents
Known as the Champions for the Injured, NST Law dedicates our practice to helping victims and people affected by accidents, including those hurt by reckless drivers. When you hire our firm, you get the following:
- More than three decades of experience in personal injury law and car accident claims
- An impressive track record of recovering $2 billion in settlements and verdicts
- Resources, technology, and legal strategies necessary to build a strong case
- A supportive team of legal professionals available around the clock
- We care about and give back to the communities we serve
The time following a car accident can be overwhelming for victims and their loved ones. Our compassionate attorneys understand these physical, financial, and emotional struggles, and we do everything we can on your behalf. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a reckless driving lawyer.
How Our Reckless Driving Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
While the reckless driver responsible for your accident may be charged with a misdemeanor, criminal charges alone will not make you whole. You want that person held accountable to you for your losses and suffering. Our reckless driving accident attorneys know exactly what steps to take to bring a successful car accident claim and secure the maximum compensation for your damages. We have the skills to handle difficult cases, including hit-and-runs.
Your dedicated team of attorneys at NST Law will handle the following aspects of car accident cases, among others:
- Investigating the accident and what led up to it
- Gathering evidence to prove negligence and fault
- Collecting witness statements to support your claim
- Identifying all liable parties and associated insurance companies
- Valuing all of your damages, including punitive damages
- Communicating with insurance company representatives
- Negotiating a fair settlement for your damages
- Taking your case to trial and representing you in court
While insurance companies will try to minimize your accident injuries, our reckless driving lawyers are experts at pursuing compensation for our clients. We won’t let the insurance adjusters intimidate you into accepting an unfair amount. We’ll guide you throughout the process to help you make the most informed decisions that benefit you and your family.
Types of Reckless Driving Behaviors
Driving behaviors are considered reckless when they put people and property at unnecessary risk. A reckless driver willfully acts with disregard for the safety of others. These behaviors include the following:
- Excessive Speeding
Excessively passing the speed limit creates hazardous conditions for other drivers and pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,258 traffic deaths resulted from speeding in 2020, an alarming 29 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities that year.
- Drunk or Drugged Driving
Choosing to get behind the wheel and operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is reckless behavior. Alcohol impairs drivers by affecting the nervous system, slowing brain function, reducing reaction times, blurring vision, and causing drowsiness. Other drugs also impact a driver’s concentration and ability to react to hazards on the road.
- Aggressive Driving or Road Rage
Aggressive driving or road rage is when drivers become frustrated and begin driving erratically or reacting emotionally to other drivers. Aggression and rage can lead drivers to swerve in and out of lanes, follow too closely, speed, or engage in other dangerous behavior. When drivers do these actions intentionally or with reckless disregard for the safety of another person, they are driving recklessly.
In some jurisdictions, an aggressive driver can be charged with reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. If these behaviors cause an accident, victims may qualify to claim compensation for damages from the person responsible.
- Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a common type of reckless driving that pulls a driver’s attention away from the road. Texting, emailing, checking social media, and other cellphone use are typical sources of driver distractions. Many states discourage these distractions through laws that make it illegal for drivers to use hand-held electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Reckless Driving Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been in a car accident caused by reckless driving, you deserve justice and compensation for your injuries and losses. You need an attorney with the proven ability to uncover and prove the reckless behavior that caused your injuries.
At NST Law, our experienced reckless driving accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and fight for your rights. Don’t wait to get the help you need—contact us today for a free consultation.
Reckless Driving FAQs
While the penalties vary by state, reckless driving is a traffic offense that carries heavy penalties, particularly if you’re a repeat offender. If a driver ignores the rules of the road and willfully endangers others, it’s a traffic violation—regardless of whether the reckless driver caused an accident or property damage.
All states have laws that consider reckless driving to be a criminal offense. Reckless driving is typically punishable by hefty fines, DMV demerit points, and jail time.
While it is a misdemeanor offense in most cases, reckless driving can be a felony if the actions cause physical harm or the death of another person. The level of the charges depends on the crime’s severity and results.
Distracted driving is rising as drivers become more dependent on cell phones. According to online driver education provider I Drive Safely, distracted driving is the most common type of reckless driving. Speeding and road rage are also forms of reckless driving.
There are several causes for driving recklessly, depending on the person and type of behavior. Some people choose to speed because they’re running late or want to impress their peers. Others are texting on their cell phones and ignoring the cars around them.
In many cases of road rage, somebody has become irritated with another driver and chooses to drive aggressively around that vehicle. All of these scenarios create unsafe conditions that can lead to an accident.
Different states enforce varying punishments for reckless driving traffic violations. How long it stays on your record will depend on whether the charge was a misdemeanor or felony. In general, reckless driving can stay on your record for three to 10 years.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.