Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

– Client Reviews

People travel in cars so often that motorists can take for granted how dangerous fast-moving vehicles can be. Sadly, some drivers become so careless that they willingly engage in dangerous behaviors on the road. If one of these drivers gets you or a loved one into an accident, you can hire our reckless driving accident lawyers at Gordon & Partners to fight for compensation.

What Does Florida Classify as Reckless Driving?

In Chapter 316, Section 192 of the Florida Statutes, the state defines reckless driving as any driver who acts with a “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Therefore, reckless driving involves more than mere negligence or a mistake. Such actions must be knowing and purposeful. 

In other words, the defendant has to have understood the potential consequences of such actions and the likely harm to others. For example, if a driver’s mind was wandering and the person drove too fast through a school zone, this would be illegal but not necessarily reckless. 

Examples of reckless driving include any number of activities, such as:

• Running a red light or stop sign
• Racing on public roads
• Passing illegally
• Tailgating
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs

When an automobile operator engages in a careless or irresponsible manner, that individual can face criminal and civil consequences for reckless driving. 

Criminal trials focus on punishments the state imposed for violating an offense. To recover damages from such a collision, you need to file a personal injury claim or civil suit, and our reckless driving accident lawyers can assist you.

What Compensation Can You Claim After a Reckless Driving Accident?

If you or a loved one got injured in an accident with a reckless driver, you should be aware of the full aftermath of the incident and not just the surface-level damages. This affects what you will claim in your case and how much compensation you can recover. 

Personal injury settlements or awards are typically “one and done,” so if you neglect to pursue some form of recovery in your case, you can’t go back and request more money. That’s why our law firm’s help is valuable because we’ll help you get it right the first time. 

Bodily Injury

You’ll probably take note of broken bones or bruises immediately. Even worse is the loss of a limb or some type of paralysis. Beyond those easy-to-spot issues, be sure to get a medical professional’s perspective on any deeper wounds you may have to contend with. 

For instance, brain, back and spinal injuries can also result in lasting harm, but they might not show up for days or weeks. Ruptured organs are another serious type of injury that can have delayed symptoms. 

Getting immediate treatment and keeping up with visits helps you determine which injuries resulted from the accident. The insurer or court needs proof that your ailment is not from a preexisting condition, so careful documentation of assessments and treatments is vital.

You also need to determine the extent and cost of any long-term treatments. Doing so can make a world of difference. For example, compensation to cover six months of services won’t be enough if recovery is actually going to take two years.

If you don’t know where to go for medical attention, talk to us at Gordon & Partners. We can help you find qualified physicians who will treat you with care to help you recuperate.

Property Damage

Your vehicle likely sustained scratches, scrapes and dents. The jolt may have also damaged your personal items within your car or ruined part of your home if the driver struck your property.

In this case, too, an official inspection or appraisal helps you determine any underlying damage. Instead of accepting the first offer for a settlement, you can dig deeper to be sure you’re getting remuneration for all of your losses.

Lost Wages

Additionally, you’ll miss time from work to care for medical issues and restore your property. As a result, you’ll miss out on wages or have to use your time off benefits.

You can claim these losses as well in your personal injury case. This requires good records, and don’t forget that this also pertains to future lost wages and benefits. 

Emotional and Psychological Harm

Your life might never be the same after a reckless driving accident. A sudden crash can create phobias or unease that disrupt your normal routine. A disfiguring injury or disability can also create a loss of your sense of self or affect your feelings of self-worth. 

These fall under noneconomic damages that are hard to calculate. Unfortunately, an insurer won’t do much to help you understand and recover these losses. Our team at Gordon & Partners will assist, so talk to us about your case.

This also includes the emotional harm a family suffers after a loved one dies in an accident with a reckless driver. If you’ve lost a loved one, remember that you can file a wrongful death suit to recover compensation for your distress, as well as the financial losses you sustained.

For a free, no obligation consultation, complete an online contact form.

Are There Any Other Damages You Can Get From a Reckless Driving Accident?

Reckless driving involves a willful disregard of the law, which makes these cases more likely to qualify for punitive damages. These do not pertain to any losses or expenses you suffered from the accident. Rather, they are payments a court imposes on a defendant as punishment for intentional misconduct or gross negligence. 

Admittedly, punitive damages are rare in personal injury cases, but it’s worth investigating whether your situation qualifies. This requires a thorough understanding of the law and legal precedent. We’ll work to determine if your reckless driving accident merits punitive damages.

Why Shouldn’t You Accept the Insurance Company’s First Offer?

Insurance companies preserve their profits by finding ways to limit their payouts. Many accident victims don’t realize that they don’t have to take the first offer and can negotiate for more as long as they can prove the extent of their losses.

Still, this requires a lot of paperwork, as well as investigating the incident and providing solid proof. Plus, you have to present your case to adjusters and representatives who have experience handling these kinds of interactions and reducing claims. With legal representation, you can come to the table ready to fight for what you deserve.

Can Other Parties Be at Fault Besides the Reckless Driver?

Yes; other factors may contribute to the accident. Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, so you can recover damages from any party that bore a level of responsibility for the accident.

Additional at-fault parties might include:

• A parts or product manufacturer or reseller
• The person or entity that is responsible for maintaining the road
• The employer of the reckless driver if the person was on duty
• Mechanic or repair shop for faulty work

The comparative negligence standard in Florida also means that if the insurance company or court wants to assert that you have a measure of responsibility for the accident, you can still recover the remaining percentage of compensation. As an example, if they say you have 10% of the liability, you can still recover 90% of the value of your damages.

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Talk to Gordon & Partners for Assistance With Your Reckless Driving Accident Case

A reckless driving accident is a wholly unpleasant experience, but getting justice afterward can be rewarding and satisfying if you do it right. Don’t take chances with your compensation. Contact our team at Gordon & Partners to claim the restitution you deserve.