Reckless Driving in Florida is a big-dimension problem that needs to be overcome as a whole community!
Texting while driving is just one form of reckless behavior that contributes to countless accidents every year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies various types of reckless driving, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drowsy driving, road rage, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. Each of these behaviors poses a significant risk to the safety of everyone on the road.
Suppose you've suffered injuries or damages from a car accident caused by reckless driving. In that case, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering. The Ward Law Group is here to ensure that your legal rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
What is Reckless Driving?
Understanding reckless driving is essential in building a solid case. It involves operating a vehicle in a manner that disregards the safety of others. From driving under the influence to aggressive behaviors like road rage, each form of reckless driving can have devastating consequences.
Types of reckless driving, such as driving under the influence, drowsy driving, road rage, and distracted driving, contribute to numerous accidents each year. These behaviors can lead to severe injuries and even fatalities on the road.
If you've been injured in a car accident caused by reckless driving, seeking legal representation is crucial. Our experienced attorneys at The Ward Law Group can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What are the consequences if a court determines a reckless driving felony?
Reckless driving can have far-reaching impacts on various aspects of a driver's life, including legal, financial, and personal.
- Legal Ramifications: Reckless driving often results in misdemeanor charges in many states. A conviction can lead to a permanent criminal record, potentially resulting in jail time, fines, and the revocation of the driver's license. For instance, in New York, a first offense could lead to up to 30 days in jail, a $300 fine, and the accumulation of five points on the driver's license.
- License Points: Reckless driving typically adds points to the driver's license, varying by state. Accumulating points can lead to license suspension or revocation. Additionally, drivers may incur additional fees and assessments for each point accrued, further impacting their finances.
- Financial Penalties: Reckless driving convictions often carry hefty fines, sometimes exceeding $1,000 for repeat offenses. These fines can significantly strain the driver's financial resources.
- Legal Proceedings: A criminal conviction for reckless driving can influence civil litigation related to car accidents. It may extend the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim and serve as compelling evidence of negligence, potentially leading to punitive damages against the at-fault driver.
- Insurance Premiums: Reckless driving convictions typically result in substantially higher insurance premiums, sometimes increasing by 50% or more. The driver may face monthly payments close to $1,000. However, completing approved courses like the Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) can help mitigate these increases by reducing premiums by at least 10%.
If you've been involved in an accident caused by reckless driving, seeking legal assistance from The Ward Law Group can help protect your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today at 786-751-7481 for a free consultation to understand your legal options.
What leads to reckless driving accidents?
Reckless driving encompasses a range of hazardous behaviors that significantly increase the risk of accidents on the road.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a prime example of reckless driving. Such impairment significantly impairs judgment and reaction time, often resulting in severe accidents and legal consequences.
- Distracted Driving: Engaging in distractions like talking on the phone, texting, adjusting the radio, or eating while driving is a growing cause of accidents. Laws are increasingly prohibiting these behaviors to enhance road safety and reduce accidents.
- Illegal Maneuvers: Making illicit turns or abrupt lane changes demonstrates a blatant disregard for traffic laws and poses a danger to other road users, contributing to reckless driving accidents.
- Negligent Use of Headlights: Failing to use headlights in low-light conditions compromises driver and motorists' visibility, increasing the risk of collisions, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions.
- Lack of Turn Signal Use: Remembering to use turn signals when changing lanes or making turns makes it easier for other drivers to anticipate movements, leading to clarity and potential accidents.
- Tailgating: Driving too closely to the vehicle in front reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, constituting reckless behavior on the road.
- Sudden Braking: Abrupt braking, often a response to tailgating or other aggressive driving behaviors, can catch following vehicles off guard, resulting in rear-end collisions and escalating the risk of accidents.
- Disregarding Traffic Signals: Ignoring red lights or stop signs disregards essential traffic regulations, posing a significant threat to the safety of all road users.
- Speeding: Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for prevailing conditions is a common form of reckless driving. It significantly increases the likelihood of accidents and is often cited as a factor in many crash investigations.
Reckless driving poses substantial risks to drivers and others on the road, often resulting in severe injuries, property damage, and legal consequences.
Common Injuries from Reckless Driving Accidents
Reckless driving often results in severe injuries and significant hardships for those whose lives are affected by the actions of a careless driver.
- Spinal Injuries: Reckless driving accidents frequently result in spinal injuries, which can have life-altering consequences. Even minor spinal cord damage can cause permanent or temporary loss of function and sensation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): TBIs are common in reckless driving accidents and can cause profound changes in motor function, cognitive abilities, and executive function. Even injuries classified as mild can lead to long-lasting complications and potentially fatal consequences if left untreated.
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash injuries, often overlooked, can significantly impact mobility and lead to chronic pain that persists for a lifetime.
- Fractures and Amputations: Reckless driving accidents frequently result in fractures and limb injuries that may require extensive medical treatment, including amputations in severe cases.
- Internal Injuries: The impact of a reckless driving accident can cause internal bleeding and damage to vital organs such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart, posing life-threatening risks if not promptly treated.
Types of Damages Available: In a personal injury lawsuit resulting from reckless driving accidents, victims may pursue various forms of compensation:
- Economic Damages: This includes medical expenses, lost wages (both current and future), property damage, and costs associated with assistive equipment and care.
- Non-economic Damages: These are subjective and cover pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life.
- Punitive Damages: While challenging to obtain, punitive damages may be awarded if the reckless driver's behavior warrants punishment and deterrence. These damages are separate from compensatory damages and aim to penalize the at-fault party.
How a Reckless Driving Attorney Can Assist You?
If a reckless driver has injured you, navigating legal proceedings can be overwhelming. A seasoned reckless driving attorney can shoulder the burden, handling negotiations with insurance companies and, if necessary, pursuing litigation on your behalf.
Contact a car accident attorney at The Ward Law Group today for a complimentary consultation and comprehensive case evaluation. Let us advocate for your financial recovery while you focus on your physical healing journey.
Kissimmee Reckless Driving Statistics
Kissimmee, Florida, is a premier tourist destination, attracting over 75 million visitors annually for its renowned theme parks and balmy climate. Yet, this influx contributes to the city's elevated accident rates, with numerous drivers unfamiliar with the area and the notoriously hazardous I-4 interstate.
Combined with rush-hour congestion and vacation mindsets, reckless driving incidents are all too common in Kissimmee and statewide. In 2017 alone, an estimated 87 fatalities and 524 injuries resulted from accidents caused by drivers exhibiting erratic, reckless, or aggressive behaviors.
The pandemic only exacerbated reckless driving trends in Kissimmee and nationwide. Reckless driving transcends poor driving, legally defined under Florida Statute 316.192 as operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for safety.
Examples encompass excessive speeding, tailgating, road rage, lane weaving, DUI, and other hazardous actions. If you've suffered injuries due to another driver's reckless behavior, your life may undergo profound changes, warranting total compensation for physical, emotional, and financial hardships endured.
While the reckless driver's insurance should cover damages, insurers often resist offering fair settlements, especially when reckless driving is proven in court. This underscores the importance of engaging our seasoned, adept Kissimmee reckless driving accident injury attorneys to fight for your rights!
Contact a Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer in Kissimmee
The Ward Law Group ranks among Florida's most established and successful personal injury firms, boasting a record of more than $500 million recovered for injured accident victims since our establishment 20 years ago.
Frequently securing million or multi-million dollar settlements, we prioritize making a meaningful impact on our clients' lives. Understanding the devastation wrought by colliding with a reckless driver, our mission is to hold them accountable, ensure rightful compensation for your injuries, and facilitate closure for moving forward.
Should trial become necessary, we're prepared to pursue justice vigorously. Rest assured, our services entail no upfront costs; fees are contingent on case success. Contact our firm today for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can safeguard your legal interests.
Call now at 855-DOLOR-55!