Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a traffic violation that occurs when one driver acts in an unreasonable way that puts others in danger or interferes with the use of the road. Typically, it also involves one driver disregarding the rules of the road. In an effort to get to their destination quicker, a driver may make erratic lane changes, ignore stop signs or drive over the speed limit. Regardless of the type of reckless driving done by an individual, the action places others at risk of serious injury or death. The rules are in place to protect drivers, and ignoring the rules is one way to increase the chance of being involved in an accident.

All of the causes of reckless driving involve making a bad decision. If an accident happens, the reckless driver is the individual responsible for the incident. The following are common examples of reckless driving accidents in New York City:

• Tailgating: When a driver is guilty of tailgating, they are too close to the vehicle in front of them. There should be enough space between the vehicles for the driver in the back to react to brake lights. If there isn’t enough space, a rear-end collision is likely to happen.
• Failing to Stop at Red Light: If an individual is driving too quickly or simply ignores a red light, an accident can happen. Other vehicles will have the right of way and may not notice the reckless driver. In this case, a T-bone accident is possible. Unfortunately, these collisions tend to be particularly devastating and at times are associated with fatalities.
• Speeding: Driving too quickly means a driver can’t react to hazards in the road or changes in the traffic pattern. At times, speeding refers to going over the posted speed limit. However, it could also involve driving too quickly for the weather or road conditions.
• Drunk Driving: Another form of reckless driving and a common cause of accidents is drunk driving. Because alcohol reduces reaction time and causes poor judgment, drunk driving is extremely hazardous. The driver who makes the decision to drive while intoxicated is reckless and should be held accountable for an accident.

There are many reckless driving penalties. Depending on which laws a driver broke, the penalties range from fines to jail time. But those penalties don’t improve your financial situation. If you’re like most accident victims, you have piles of medical bills, missed paychecks, and car repair bills.

By working with a HURT-511 car accident attorney, you could seek compensation for your expenses. You may also recover money for your pain and suffering. A personal injury lawsuit could be what you need to improve your financial situation. Our lawyers will collect evidence that shows the other driver was reckless. Then, they will file a civil lawsuit against the other party. In most cases, the situation will be resolved outside of the courtroom. Both parties may agree to a settlement, which could cover all of the damages associated with the crash.

In 2018, there were 200 traffic fatalities in New York City. There were thousands of individuals injured in accidents. Many of those crashes could have been prevented with safer driving. 1-800-HURT-511 has the resources and skills you need to fight for compensation. Give us a call today and we can work together to achieve justice.