Reckless Driving Traffic Violations

Were You in an Accident Due to The Reckless Driving and Negligence of Someone Else?

You are a careful driver. You always follow the rules and you never take unnecessary chances when behind the wheel. The same cannot be said of everyone else who drives. Some people are so careless, irresponsible, and downright reckless that they should not hold a license. If you have been in an accident with such a driver and injured as a result, then you should hold them accountable. Reckless driving should not be overlooked. The people who do it should be made to pay for their behavior.

You are entitled to damages after the accident, and the best way to get them is by hiring a Los Angeles personal injury attorney. The personal injury lawyer you hire will be the only one who looks out for your interests as you attempt to get compensation.

Respond with Calm and Wisdom

A car wreck can be a minor inconvenience or a major life disaster. It all depends on the severity of the crash. If the crash was not that serious, then you will need to contend with damage to your car but you should be physically well enough to act in the immediate aftermath.

The first thing you must do is call 911. You should then speak to the other driver and get their contact and insurance details. Proving fault in an accident comes down to evidence. You should start gathering the latter right after the accident. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the damage done to each vehicle. You can also speak to people who witnessed the accident and record their statements on your phone.

You will also need to speak to the police. While you should never make a false statement to the authorities, you should also say nothing that puts you at fault for the accident. If the officer asks you a question that you are uncomfortable answering, then you can tell them that you would prefer to speak to your attorney first.

You must then go to the hospital. Even if you detect no visible signs of injury, you need to be examined by a physician. It is important to get a record of your medical examination for insurance purposes. You may also need this document if you need to pursue legal action against the person who smashed into you.

The Worst Thing That Can Happen

If the accident was serious, if you were knocked unconscious because of it, then you will not be able to take any of the actions described above. You will be rushed to the hospital and forced to undergo life-saving procedures. It may be some time before you are even aware of what happened to you. You may need to go through months of rehabilitation and several more surgeries before you are put on the road to recovery.

A serious accident can lead to severe financial hardship. You will not be able to work for some time. And if the accident caused a permanent disability, then you may need to give up your livelihood. You may also need to employ an in-home carer and buy prescription medication.

None of these things are inexpensive. You have to find a way to pay for them and your other bills. Hiring a car accident lawyer and going after the person who caused the accident is your best option.

Reckless Driving and the Law

Reckless driving can be charged as a criminal offense. Most states define it as the willful operation of a vehicle in a manner that demonstrates indifference to the safety of other persons. The most common examples of reckless driving include excessive speeding, illegally passing a school bus, and street racing.

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor criminal offense. If convicted, the perpetrator can spend up to a year in jail and pay up to $1,000 in fines, and in some cases license suspension.

Beyond Criminal Charges

The state may assess the penalty of a reckless driving offense at a thousand dollars. But if a reckless driver was at fault for your accident, it may cost you a great deal more. You cannot leave the matter in the hands of the state. You must get them to pay for the damages you have sustained.

The driver’s insurance company will be on the hook for paying you. In fact, the company may seek to settle the matter straightaway. They may make you a low-dollar offer. You should not accept it without speaking to your car accident compensation lawyer. In fact, you should leave all communication and negotiation with the insurance company to your lawyer. It is the best way to avoid undermining your own case.

You should speak to a Los Angeles car wreck lawyer as soon you are able to. They will want to know the facts and circumstance surrounding the crash. You should tell them what you remember, but do not worry if you cannot recall everything. Your car injury lawyer will launch their own investigation into the crash.

They will do so by bringing in professional private investigators. The latter will recover any traffic camera footage from the area. They will also track down and interview people who witnessed the crash. It is not unknown for an investigator to contact a witnessed who managed to record the entire accident on their cell phone camera. Getting this kind of evidence can go a long way toward proving your case.

Your car wreck injury lawyer will also employ forensic experts to thoroughly review and assess the debris and other bits of evidence produced by the crash. Your traffic accident lawyer in Los Angeles will also bring medical experts to offer an independent assessment of your condition and the prospects for your recovery.

The main aim of your lawyer will be to get you as much money as possible. They will try to keep you out of a long and expensive court battle. They will instead pressure the other side to offer a fair and adequate settlement.