Texas Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

Reckless driving is a term used to describe a circumstance where a driver willfully disregards the rules of the road and the safety of others. One common form of reckless driving is speeding. A report from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that speeding had killed 9,478 people and injured many more across the US in 2019. 

Were you seriously injured in a Texas traffic accident caused by a reckless driver? If so, you may be eligible to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. An experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you hold the negligent driver liable for his or her unsafe driving practices. 

Car accidents caused by another driver’s reckless conduct can leave you coping with physical injuries, emotional distress, and mounting medical bills, but the Texas personal injury attorneys at Fielding Law are here to help during this difficult time in your life. Call us or start a live chat to schedule a free case consultation. 

Reckless Driving and Its Causes

As a driver, you can only control the decisions that you make while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, since you don’t have the ability to control the driving actions of others, this means you could be involved in a motor vehicle accident even when you try to obey every traffic rule. 

Reckless drivers operate their vehicles in a way that shows a complete disregard for the safety of other people or property. Common examples of reckless driving include:

• Excessive speeding
• Abrupt lane changes
• Texting and driving
• Tailgating
• Passing a stationary school bus
• Excessive use of horn
• Running motorists off the roadway
• Braking or accelerating inappropriately
• Chasing motorists at a high speed
• Hit-and-runs

Alcohol or drugs

A driver under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is more likely to engage in reckless driving behaviors. In the State of Texas, you’re considered legally intoxicated and unable to drive if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 or higher. 

Drugs and alcohol impair a driver’s judgment, vision, reaction time, and ability to make safe decisions. Since alcohol releases inhibitions and boosts confidence, impaired drivers are more prone to engage in reckless driving behaviors like speeding, racing, and tailgating. 

Aggressive driving and road rage

Many reckless driving behaviors are exhibited by drivers who are frustrated or angry while behind the wheel. 

Examples of aggressive driving and road rage include:

• Excessive speeding
• Brake-checking
• Honking horn 
• Tailgating
• Yelling threats or obscenities
• Aggressive or obscene hand gestures
• Brandishing a knife, gun, or another weapon
• Forcing drivers to run off the roadway
• Bumping or ramming a vehicle intentionally
• Blocking a vehicle from changing lanes
• Exiting the vehicle to confront another driver

Peer pressure and inexperience

Being young and inexperienced, teens often fail to understand the dangers of driving recklessly. They may be more focused on who is texting them, taking a selfie, or changing the song on their stereo rather than on paying attention to the road in front of them. 

Teens often like to ride together, and they’re more likely to become distracted when with friends. Some teens race, speed, or purposely engage in other reckless behavior in an attempt to impress their peers. An additional danger comes at the age when teens get their license, when some may also start experimenting with alcohol – a deadly driving combination. 

Drowsy driving

Driving while fatigued is a dangerous form of reckless driving that has resulted in many fatalities. According to the NHTSA, 697 people died from drowsy driving-related auto accidents in 2019, while thousands of others were seriously injured.

Drowsy driving is similar to driving under the effects of alcohol. Lack of sleep can affect a driver’s coordination, reaction time, and judgment.

Signs and symptoms of drowsy driving include:

• Frequent yawning
• Inability to keep your eyes open
• Difficulty maintaining
• Drifting out of your lane
• “Nodding off” 

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is anything that takes a person’s attention away from the task of driving and is one of the most common forms of negligent driving. Types of distracted driving that can result in serious injuries and fatalities include:

• Texting
• Talking on the phone
• Programming the GPS
• Eating and drinking
• Grooming
• Being lost in thought
• Talking to a passenger
• Checking traffic reports

Evidence Needed to Build Reckless Driving Cases

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Texas reckless driving accident, our attorneys can help you file a claim or personal injury lawsuit. In order to build a solid case on your behalf, your lawyer will need to provide evidence proving that the other driver is guilty of negligence. 

Evidence needed may include:

• Accident reports
• Witness statements
• Videos from dash or traffic cameras
• Medical records of your injuries
• Traffic violations, arrest records, or other reports against the other driver
• Testimonies from car accident reconstructionists and other experts
• Photo evidence from the scene of the reckless driving accident

The personal injury attorneys at Fielding Law have helped many clients collect and use evidence to win them compensation for their injuries. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to build a solid case for you after your reckless driving accident. 

Recovering Compensation After Your Reckless Driving Accident

Serious injuries suffered in reckless driving accidents can put a major financial strain on the lives of victims and their families. An auto accident attorney from our law firm can help you recover the compensation that you need to get your life back on track. 

After sustaining injuries in a car crash caused by a reckless driver, victims may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning potential
• Pain and suffering 
• Loss of enjoyment
• Travel expenses for treatment
• Disfigurement
• Property damage

In some reckless driving situations, such as a hit-and-run, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to personal injury damages. These types of damages are awarded to punish the reckless driver for his or her gross negligence and to dissuade others from acting in a similar manner. Punitive damages are separate from any criminal charges that result from the reckless driver’s actions. 

How Car Accident Lawyers Help Reckless Driving Victims

If you were injured by a reckless driver, you may be debating whether to simply file a claim with the insurance company or if you should seek the help of a car accident lawyer. Consider some of the many benefits of having a trusted personal injury lawyer on your side after a serious motor vehicle accident. 

How we can help you:

• Calculating the value of your claim: You may receive a call from the negligent driver’s insurance company shortly after the car accident offering you a fast and quick payout. The amount that they offer you is likely far less than your claim is actually worth. Your attorney will be able to determine what damages you’re actually entitled to and the true value of your claim. 

• Gathering evidence: As your attorneys, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of the reckless driving accident. This may involve obtaining police reports, speaking to witnesses, gathering video and photographic evidence, tracking down a runaway reckless driver, and getting testimonies from medical experts. 

• Determining liability: The reckless driver may not be the only one at fault for the accident. For example, if the motorist was driving a work vehicle at the time of the reckless driving collision, then the employer may be liable for the accident. Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the incident and identify all liable parties. 

• Negotiating with the insurance company: Our auto accident lawyers are skilled negotiators, familiar with the tactics insurance adjusters use to reduce the payout of claims. Keep in mind, once you have agreed to a payout amount, you’re unable to go back and request more compensation from the insurance company. Our aggressive lawyers will keep negotiating until we get you the amount you deserve. 

• Taking legal action on your behalf: After taking on your case, your attorney will send a demand letter notifying the liable party of your claim. We will then collect evidence and begin negotiations. If a just and fair settlement amount can’t be reached, our law firm is prepared to take your case to court. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s careless driving, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. Our lawyers can help you file a claim and negotiate with the insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit. Accident cases can be complex and difficult to prove, but we know what is needed to maximize your payout. 

We offer our legal services to car accident victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you will pay neither upfront costs nor out-of-pocket expenses. We only get paid if you’re awarded a case settlement. 

Don’t wait to get the legal help you deserve. Contact Fielding Law to schedule a free case evaluation. Call us, start a live chat, or fill out our online evaluation form. With our free consultations, there is no risk and you have nothing to lose – contact us today.