Reckless driving, including speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving, is one of the leading contributors to crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a recent year, over 12,000 people lost their lives in speeding-related incidents alone, highlighting the danger associated with reckless behavior behind the wheel.
If you suffered an injury caused by a reckless driver, understanding your rights and options is crucial for recovering the compensation you deserve. With the help of an experienced car accident lawyer, injured parties in Southern Missouri can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Privette Law Office for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable car accident lawyers. Our team is ready to help you prove the reckless driver’s liability for your injuries and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
Types of Reckless Driving That Lead to Severe Accidents
Reckless driving encompasses a wide range of dangerous behaviors that put everyone on the road at risk of harm. Typically, the term “reckless” applies when drivers know their actions have potentially serious consequences but choose to perform them anyway. Some of the most common types of reckless driving include:
- Speeding – While any amount of speeding increases the risk of an accident and serious injury, reckless speeding typically refers to a driver going significantly above the speed limit. The faster drivers go, the less time they have to react to hazards and other vehicles, and the more distance their vehicle needs to come to a complete stop.
- Weaving Through Traffic – When drivers weave through traffic, they increase their chances of losing control and striking another vehicle. This behavior can lead to both sideswipe and rear-end collisions.
- Drunk Driving – Driving under the influence impairs their senses and can cause them to swerve between lanes, have reduced reaction times, and fail to notice traffic signs and signals. If a drunk driver caused your injuries, your attorney may be able to use their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results to prove their reckless behavior.
- Distracted Driving – Using cell phones, eating, and applying makeup while driving are all examples of distracted driving that can increase the chances of a collision. Any time drivers take their eyes off the road, they risk severely injuring someone else.
- Tailgating – Following too closely behind another vehicle increases the odds of a rear-end collision. A general rule of thumb is to follow at least two or three seconds behind the car ahead.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals – Drivers who ignore traffic signs and signals endanger everyone. For example, drivers who run a red light know their actions could have life-ending or altering consequences.
- Road Rage – Drivers who engage in road rage are likelier to get into an accident. Road rage impairs a driver’s judgment, leading to mistakes and collisions.
Common Injuries Suffered in Reckless Driving Accidents
Some of the most common injuries suffered by victims of reckless drivers include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs result from heavy impacts that shake the brain and cause it to strike the interior of the skull. These injuries can cause severe and permanent physical and cognitive impairment.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Spinal cords can get pinched or severed in a collision, leading to chronic pain or paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Crushed Limbs – Limbs can get caught or crushed in the wreckage of a reckless driver crash. In the worst-case scenario, amputation may be necessary.
- Fractured Bones – A severe crash is powerful enough to break any bone in the body, including the femur, which is the strongest.
- Lacerations – Broken glass and other sharp debris flying around during a crash can cause lacerations that require stitches and may result in scarring.
- Internal Organ Injuries – The impact of a vehicle collision can damage internal organs, leading to life-threatening injuries if not treated quickly.
Evidence Used in Reckless Driving Injury Lawsuits
To prove that the driver who caused your injuries was reckless, you need significant evidence. An experienced attorney can assist you in gathering the following:
- Traffic camera footage may show the other driver’s reckless behavior, such as weaving through traffic or speeding.
- Eyewitness statements can corroborate your version of events and detail the driver’s dangerous behavior.
- If they’re driving a newer car, data from the reckless driver’s onboard computer system can show that they were speeding before the crash.
- Photographs from the accident scene that show the final positions of the vehicles, skid marks on the road, and relevant traffic signs can help establish liability.
- Experts, such as crash reconstruction specialists, can testify about how the crash likely occurred.
- Your medical records can show the extent of your injuries and the medical treatments you had to undergo. This is important for connecting your medical expenses to the reckless driver’s behavior.
What to Do If a Reckless Driver Injures You
After a car accident caused by a reckless driver, there are a few key steps to take to protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries:
- Always keep up with your medical treatment, including by attending all your doctor appointments. This is essential for creating a paper trail of your injuries and treatment.
- Keep track of all medical bills you receive related to the accident so your attorney can use them to calculate your expenses.
- Write down everything you remember about the accident while the details are fresh in your mind.
- Avoid providing a statement to an insurance adjuster. Their job is to get you to admit full or partial fault so they can reduce your payout in accordance with Missouri’s pure comparative negligence statute.
- Contact a car accident lawyer for legal assistance. They can help with every aspect of your case.
Contact a Car Accident Injury Lawyer Serving Southern Missouri
If a reckless driver caused your injuries in Southern Missouri, contact Privette Law Office for a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and answer any questions you have about seeking the compensation you deserve.