Auto Accidents Caused by Reckless Driving
Auto accidents happen more frequently than most people would like to acknowledge. Frankly, it can be scary to think about how big of a risk it can be to drive to and from work each day. However, statistics show that most people will be involved in an auto accident at some point in their lives. In the best of circumstances, the accident will be a minor fender-bender.
Unfortunately, many car accidents result in severe personal injury, or even death. Reckless driving is a leading cause of car accidents. Victims of auto accidents and reckless driving should speak with the Daytona Beach, FL accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau to learn what they can do to protect their legal rights after an accident.
Reckless Driving
In Florida, reckless driving is a crime that can be punishable with penalties including fines, jail time, and probation. Additionally, the state of Florida allows liability to be placed on the driver of a motor vehicle whose actions caused harm to another, as is often the case with reckless driving. So, even though Florida has a no-fault insurance law, reckless drivers can be made to provide financial compensation for damages when serious injuries or death are involved.
The definition of reckless driving is important when it comes to proving liability in personal injury cases. Florida defines reckless driving as the “willful or wanton” disregard for the safety of persons or property. Willful and wanton means that the driver must have intentionally, knowingly, and purposely taken a reckless action with intentional indifference to the consequences of those actions. In simple terms, they understood the risks of their actions, but simply didn’t care.
Common examples of reckless driving include:
- Driving at grossly excessive speeds
- Ignoring traffic lights or signals
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failure to reduce speed or make other attempts to avoid the collision
- Driving in the middle of the road, or driving the wrong direction on the road
- Failure to look for pedestrians
- Improper passing
In some cases, the court may find that one of these offenses is not enough to establish reckless driving. However, if any of these offenses were committed at the same time (i.e. speeding through a residential area full of pedestrians), it can strengthen the argument for reckless driving.
Working with an Attorney
Because Florida has a no-fault insurance law, and because reckless driving can be difficult to prove, it is especially important for auto accident victims to work with an experienced attorney such as those at Chanfrau & Chanfrau. Our auto accident lawyers will work with experts in the field and collect the necessary evidence to prove reckless driving and assign liability for the accident. We have collected over $1.5 million in damages for our clients and we will continue to fight to ensure that all our clients are justly compensated for their losses.
Contact Us
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, it is important for you to explore your legal options. The auto accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau will listen to the details of your case and advise you of your best course of legal action. Contact us at your earliest convenience to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive the financial compensation you are due.