What You Need to Know About Reckless Car Accidents
Reckless driving is a problem on our roads today. Many people think it’s okay to drive too fast and take risks they wouldn’t otherwise be willing to take if it weren’t for their own impatience. Unfortunately, many of these risk-taking drivers end up in serious, sometimes fatal, car accidents due to their reckless behavior.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what you need to know about reckless driving car accidents so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims of such tragic events.
What are Common Reckless Car Accident Causes?
Reckless driving car accidents can have a number of causes, including:
- Speeding: Excessive or inappropriate speed is the primary cause of reckless driving car accidents. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about one-third of all fatal car accidents involve speeding.
- Tailgating: Tailgating is one of the most dangerous types of reckless driving. If a driver is too close to the vehicle in front, they may not have enough time to react if that vehicle suddenly stops or swerves unexpectedly.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, and other distractions can lead to an increase in reckless behavior while driving. It’s important to stay focused while behind the wheel to avoid potential accidents caused by distracted drivers.
- Drunk Driving: Drinking and driving are two activities that should never be combined. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases your risk for involvement in a reckless driving car accident as well as severe legal consequences.
- Failing to Obey Traffic Laws and Signs: Traffic laws are in place for the safety of all drivers, and it’s important to obey them at all times. Failing to do so can increase your chances of being involved in a reckless car accident.
- Aggressive Driving: Any type of aggressive behavior while operating a vehicle is considered reckless and can put you and your passengers in danger. This includes swerving between lanes, honking horns excessively, flashing headlights, or making rude gestures with your hands.
- Racing: Engaging in any type of competition on public roads is illegal and extremely dangerous. The excessive speed associated with street racing drastically increases the chances of serious injury or death for those involved.
What are Common Reckless Car Accident Injuries?
Common injuries that can result from reckless driving in car accidents include:
- Head and Neck Injuries: Whiplash, concussions, and other head or neck trauma can occur in a collision. These types of injuries may take time to heal and can result in long-term disabilities or chronic pain.
- Broken Bones: Reckless driving car accidents have the potential to cause broken bones, ranging from minor fractures to serious breaks requiring surgery or immobilization.
- Internal Bleeding: High speeds and impacts associated with reckless driving car accidents can be severe enough to cause internal bleeding in vehicle occupants. This type of injury requires immediate medical attention.
- Psychological Trauma: Even when there are no physical injuries, motorists involved in reckless driving car accidents can experience emotional distress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Sprains and Strains: The physical forces created by a reckless driving car accident can tear muscles, tendons, or ligaments, resulting in acute pain.
- Burn Injuries: A vehicle that catches on fire after a collision has the potential to burn occupants in the process, leaving disfiguring scars or other serious health issues.
- Loss of Limbs: If a limb becomes trapped due to the force of the collision, it can require amputation as a result. This devastating outcome is not uncommon in reckless driving car accidents.
What to Do If You're a Victim of Reckless Car Accidents?
If you are a victim of a reckless driving car accident, it is important to take the following steps:
1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, you should always seek medical care after any type of car accident. This will ensure that all potential injuries are identified and treated appropriately.
2. Document Evidence: As soon as possible after the incident, document details of the accident such as the date and time, location, other drivers involved, any witnesses, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, etc. Taking photos with your phone, if possible, can also help provide evidence of what happened
3. Gather Information: Be sure to collect contact information from anyone associated with the accident, including eyewitnesses, other drivers involved in the collision, and their insurance companies, as well as police officers onsite who can provide reports or statements regarding your situation.
4. Contact a Reckless Driving Injury Lawyer: Consulting an experienced reckless driving injury lawyer is one of the best steps you can take after being involved in an auto accident caused by someone else’s recklessness. An attorney can review your case and help you pursue legal action for damages or compensation for your losses resulting from the incident.
How Can Reckless Driving Injury Lawyer Help?
A personal injury car accident lawyer can assist victims in a variety of ways, such as:
- Investigating the facts of your case and assembling evidence to prove liability.
- Negotiating with the Insurance company on your behalf and fighting for fair compensation.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit if necessary to seek monetary awards for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages caused by the reckless driver’s actions.
- Representing you in court proceedings if your case goes to trial.
Conclusion
The aftermath of any type of car accident can be an incredibly stressful and difficult experience. Suppose you have been a victim of a reckless driving accident. In that case, it is important to take the necessary steps to start the process of protecting your rights, from seeking medical attention and gathering evidence to consulting with an experienced reckless driving injury lawyer. Taking these steps can help give you peace of mind that your case will be handled appropriately and help ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.
At The Injury Firm, we understand that the legal system can be complicated and confusing, which is why our experienced accident attorneys are here to help. Our team of lawyers will work diligently to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses and that justice is served. Contact us today to get started.