Reckless driving isn’t just about making a careless driving mistake. In North Carolina, reckless driving is driving in a manner or at a speed likely to endanger people or property. In fact, it is a Class 2 misdemeanor in the state.
If you have been injured in a car crash caused by a reckless driver, call the Winston Salem reckless driving lawyers at McIver Law Firm today. We can help you evaluate your legal options to seek compensation for your losses.
Don’t face this alone. Call our Winston Salem personal injury attorney today at 336-727-9886 for a free consultation.
What is Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is defined under North Carolina law as displaying a wanton disregard for the safety of others while operating a motor vehicle. If you’re charged with reckless driving, it is deemed that you drove your vehicle in a manner that exhibited a total disregard of the safety of others or any appreciation of the consequences of your actions.
How Does Reckless Driving Increase the Chances of an Accident?
Reckless driving increases the chances of an accident in the following ways:
- Speeding: If you drive faster than the speed limit, you will have a more challenging time maneuvering around obstacles and bringing the vehicle to a complete stop.
- Texting and Driving: If you look at your phone instead of the road, you pose a serious injury threat to other drivers and pedestrians.
- Distracted Driving: Performing an activity that prevents you from giving your full attention to the road is considered distracted driving and can easily lead to an accident.
- Aggressive Driving and Road Rage: Angry and aggressive drivers usually make unsafe decisions that can cause devastating accidents.
- Ignoring Red Lights: Running a red light is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do and can easily lead to a collision.
- Tailgating: Following another vehicle too closely is very dangerous. If the driver in front brakes suddenly, the person tailgating them could easily rear-end their vehicle.
- Failure to Use Turn Signals When Turning: Not using turn signals is one of the fastest ways to get involved in an accident since other road users won’t be anticipating your actions.
What Damages Can a Reckless Driving Accident Victim Recover?
Reckless driving accident victims can recover many types of damages, which include but aren’t limited to:
- Income Losses: If you are forced to miss work or are unable to engage in the same work you did prior to the accident, you could recover compensation.
- Medical Bills and Disfigurement: Depending on the severity of your injuries or disfigurement, you may have medical expenses to pay for, including therapies.
- Property Losses: You could also recover compensation for personal property following a reckless driving accident such as repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
How Do I Prove the Other Driver Was Acting Recklessly?
You can use various types of evidence to support and strengthen your claim of a reckless driving accident:
- Dashcam or Highway Camera: Having video evidence of the events leading up to the crash, whether captured by a vehicle’s dashcam, highway camera, or a smartphone camera, is difficult to dispute.
- Witness Testimony: In a reckless driving incident, there could be one or more credible witnesses that saw the driver’s behavior and how it led to the crash.
- Speedometer Calibration: A speedometer calibration can be used to show when a driver was excessively speeding. If the driver was speeding in a school zone, for example, he/she would have known that speeding was reckless and likely to endanger others.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
You need an experienced Winston Salem reckless driving lawyer representing you since they can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for the damages they caused and guide you through all the legal proceedings to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does a Winston Salem Reckless Driving Lawyer Cost?
Fortunately, you don’t have to pay a Winston Salem reckless driving lawyer anything upfront since they usually work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only receive payment after recovering compensation for you, either via a settlement or jury award.
How Long Do I Have to File a Reckless Driving Claim?
Car accident injury claims in North Carolina, including those involving reckless driving, must be filed within 3 years from the date of the accident and wrongful death claims for reckless driving accidents that result in a fatality must be filed within 2 years from the date of death.
Contact a Trusted Winston Salem Reckless Driving Lawyer at McIver Law Firm!
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a person that was driving recklessly, it’s in your best interest to contact the experienced Winston Salem reckless driving lawyers at McIver Law Firm to help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
We serve clients in Winston Salem as well as Lewisville, NC. Call us today at 336-727-9886 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
