Reckless drivers who operate their motor vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of other road users can result in serious car accidents. It is not fair for anyone to suffer injuries due to another driver’s reckless actions, and they must be held accountable in the court of law.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in pursuing personal injury claims for people who have suffered car accidents in Bradenton and across the State of Florida. Our law firm has successfully helped hundreds of clients to secure the compensation that they deserve from the at-fault party in the case of a Bradenton car accident.
If you sustained any injuries or other related losses as a result of another person’s reckless driving, then our team of car accident attorneys will guide you through the legal system and help you to win the compensation that you are owed. You could be compensated for personal injuries, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can call our office to set up a free consultation now. A Bradenton car accident lawyer will explain the process of filing a personal injury claim and handle all of the negotiations with the insurance company involved.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation today, and a personal injury lawyer will help you to win the compensation that you deserve following a reckless driving car accident in Bradenton.
What Is the Difference Between Reckless Driving and Careless Driving in Bradenton, FL?
You might be confused about the differences between the terms ‘reckless driving’ and ‘careless driving’ as they are often used interchangeably in the State of Florida. However, a Bradenton car accident lawyer will bring clarity to your case and help you to understand the differences between the two separate offenses.
- Careless driving – Florida Statute 316.1925 explains that all drivers must operate their vehicle in a “careful and prudent manner, having regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and all other attendant circumstances, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.” If the statute is violated, then it will lead to a charge of careless driving that will result in fines, added points on your driver’s license, an increase in insurance rates, and the possibility of getting your driver’s license revoked.
- Reckless driving – Florida Statute 316.192 explains that reckless driving is any action that displays the “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Reckless driving is a criminal traffic offense, and it will not go unpunished by the state. A first conviction will result in paying a fine between $25 and $500 and spending up to 90 days in prison. A subsequent conviction will mean that the driver will have to pay a fine between $50 and $1,000 and spend up to 6 months in prison.
What Is Reckless Driving in Bradenton, FL?
The State of Florida defines a reckless driver as someone who displays “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property.” In other words, a reckless driver is someone who knows that their actions are dangerous but still chooses to behave in a reckless manner. On the other hand, a careless driver is someone who might make a mistake while operating their motor vehicle that potentially endangers other road users, but they are not doing it on purpose.
Ultimately, it is the judge and the jury who will decide the type of traffic offenses that result in a reckless driving charge. There are some types of reckless actions that are highly dangerous and almost always classed as reckless driving, such as a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and endangers people or property, or a driver who is operating their vehicle 20 to 30 miles over the posted speed limit.
Examples of Reckless Driving in Bradenton, FL.
The law in the State of Florida mandates that every driver must remain cautious and operate their motor vehicle with reasonable care in order to protect the safety of themselves and other drivers who are sharing the road. However, there are many drivers who intentionally break the law and operate their motor vehicles in a reckless manner. For instance, speeding, tailgating, driving under the influence, and more usually constitute reckless driving in the State of Florida. Some of the main behaviors which contribute to reckless driving include:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Texting while driving and other types of distractions.
- Driving at excessive speeds (20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit).
- Running past stop signs and red lights.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
- Tailgating.
- Failing to yield.
- Passing a stopped school bus in an illegal manner.
- Passing other motor vehicles in a dangerous way.
- Racing with other motor vehicles on the road.
- Driving after dusk with headlights turned off.
It is worth noting that these types of behavior alone are not usually enough to convict someone of reckless driving and make them pay for damages. It is necessary for the driver’s behavior to be examined and an investigation of all the facts and circumstances to be conducted. Here are some examples of drivers who have been convicted of reckless driving:
- A driver who was traveling over 80 miles per hour in a residential area and then suddenly makes a U-turn.
- A driver who was traveling two times above the posted speed limit in congested traffic and makes no effort to avoid colliding into a stopped vehicle.
- A driver who drinks alcohol, speeds excessively, passes other motor vehicles in a dangerous way, and makes no effort to avoid causing a car accident.
- A driver who speeds, disregards red and yellow traffic lights, and worn down tire thread.
- A driver who travels at excessive speeds and passes other motor vehicles on the shoulder of the road in the middle of heavy traffic.
In addition, any driver who flees from a police officer or another law enforcement officer will be adjudicated guilty of reckless driving in the State of Florida. Running away from a police officer is sufficient enough to be charged with reckless driving, regardless of any other elements at play.
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Other Consequences of Reckless Driving in Bradenton, FL.
Many people who are caught recklessly driving will face a number of consequences for their actions. Of course, the main consequences of a reckless driving car accident are personal injuries, property damage, and at times even wrongful death. However, a reckless driver will also face the following consequences:
- Fines.
- Jail time.
- Added points on their driver’s license.
- A driver’s license suspension.
- Increased insurance rates.
- A criminal record.
A driver could still be held responsible for your injuries in a civil lawsuit, even if they are not found guilty of reckless driving.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What to Do After a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Bradenton, FL.
It is important that you follow these steps in order to put yourself in the best position to file a personal injury claim later in the aftermath of a Bradenton car accident:
- Move to safety – If you did not sustain any injuries, you must move away from oncoming traffic and wait in a safe place that is close to the location of the car accident.
- Check for injuries – It is important that you check yourself for injuries after suffering the impact of a car accident. You should also check on other people who were involved in the car crash. If you or anyone else sustained any injuries, you should call an ambulance straight away.
- Call the police – Florida Statute 316.062 mandates that you call the police to the scene of the car crash. The police officers will be able to file a report of the car accident, which is also a useful piece of evidence that will help you to pursue compensation later.
- Contact details – It is essential that you exchange contact details with the other drivers at the scene, which includes names, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Collect evidence – If you can, investigate the scene and collect evidence by taking pictures of the location, damage, road marks, personal injuries, and anything else that will help you in pursuing compensation later.
- Hire a Bradenton car accident lawyer – If you were injured, you must call the Bradenton car accident lawyers at The Law Place today. We will fight to secure the compensation that you are owed.
Statute of Limitations in Bradenton, FL.
The statute of limitations varies from one state to the next when it comes to the deadlines that people have to file a personal injury claim.
The State of Florida gives people who have been injured the opportunity to file a personal injury claim within four years of the date that the accident occurred. However, if they were to miss the deadline, then they will be unable to pursue compensation for their accident.
Compensation for a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Bradenton, FL.
Following a Bradenton car accident, you probably have medical bills stacking up, along with losing income due to being unable to work as a result of your injuries. This is where a car accident lawyer will help you to recover compensation for your injuries and damages, such as:
- Medical bills – Any past, present, and future medical bills for surgery, hospitalization, prescription medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and more.
- Loss of income – Any lost income or future earning potential since you have not been able to go to work.
- Property damage – Any costs to repair or replace your motor vehicle or any other property that was damaged.
- Pain and suffering – Any reduction to your quality of life, which includes experiences of physical pain, mental anguish, or emotional trauma.
- Wrongful death – Any person who was killed in a reckless driving car accident means that their surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit according to Florida Statute 768.21.
The above list only represents some of the main possible types of compensation that you could recover following a reckless driving car accident. The Bradenton car accident lawyers at The Law Place will be able to calculate your losses and estimate the amount of compensation that you could be owed by referencing your bills, receipts, invoices, and more. Call our office today to set up a free consultation in the State of Florida.
Other Consequences Following a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Bradenton, FL.
A reckless driving car accident can have long-term effects on the innocent people involved. It is not easy to recover from injuries sustained in a car accident, and it can be even more difficult to get back on your feet. Some of the main consequences include:
- Lost employment – If you had to miss work for long periods of time following an auto accident, it might result in losing your job.
- Replacing your motor vehicle – It can be expensive to replace a car following an auto accident, especially if you have had to miss work which means that you have less money to spend on buying a new car. This also means that you will have trouble getting to places that you need to be.
- Distress – An auto accident can cause serious distress in your life and leave you with a negative impact on your health.
- Fear of driving – It is not unusual for people who have been involved in an auto accident to fear driving in the aftermath. A fear of driving can stop you from maintaining a social life or even going to work, which only adds to your distress.
The above list only highlights a small fraction of the many ways that an auto accident can affect your life and it is unfair that you have to suffer the repercussions alone. It is imperative that you get in contact with the Bradenton car accident lawyers at The Law Place, who can provide you with the support and guidance that you need during this difficult time.
How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement Worth in Bradenton, FL?
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to want to give you less compensation than you actually deserve for your car accident case. The main goal of any insurance company is to profit from all insurance claims, which means that they will try to take advantage of your situation. This is where the car accident attorneys at The Law Place will step in to help you. They will make sure that you receive full compensation for all of your injuries and other related losses. However, the amount of compensation that you win will depend on a number of different factors, such as:
- The severity of your injuries.
- The total of your medical bills (including past, present, and future expenses).
- The overall effect that the auto accident has had on your life.
- The ages of the people who were injured.
- Eyewitnesses to the auto accident.
- The person who is at fault for the auto accident.
The numbers linked to these questions are tangible and quantifiable, which means that an insurance company will grade you on each one of them. The insurance company will use their computers to input the grades and estimate a settlement that they will be willing to offer you. If you agree with the offer, then you are free to accept. However, the offers that an insurance company makes are usually low-ball settlements, and you could win much more compensation by hiring a Bradenton car accident lawyer and fighting for a higher settlement.
Hiring a Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer in Bradenton, FL.
If you have made the right decision by hiring a car accident lawyer to take on your reckless driving case, then you are on the way to winning a reasonable amount of compensation.
When you are looking to hire a car accident lawyer, you will have a free consultation. During the free consultation, you will receive honest and unbiased advice on your case and how the law firm will help you to achieve your goals. Once the meeting is over, you can decide if the law firm is right for you.
When you have signed representation with the car accident attorney at the law firm, then you will be able to relax more. The car accident attorney will then begin by investigating the accident and the related paperwork while you take the time that you need to recover from your injuries and focus on your wellbeing.
Your car accident attorney will handle all of the aspects of your case, such as compiling evidence, speaking to eyewitnesses, getting a police report, and building your case. They will also keep you informed every step of the way as your case progresses. As soon as they have completed their own independent investigation, they will estimate a value for your claim and enter into negotiations with the insurance company involved. During the negotiations, your car accident attorney will explain your situation with skill and diligence in order to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your case. They will not let any insurance company get away with offering you less than you deserve, and they will make sure that you are happy with the overall settlement figure.
However, if your car accident attorney and the insurance company are unable to agree on a settlement, then they will escalate your case to the trial phase. During the trial, the car accident attorney will develop a strong case and convince the judge and jury that you deserve the right amount of compensation following your reckless driving car accident.
Contact The Law Place Today in Bradenton, FL.
If you were involved in a reckless driving car accident that was not your fault, then you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and other related losses in the State of Florida. It is not fair that a reckless driver can get away with causing you injury and not paying the price. That is why you must hire a personal injury lawyer to hold the at-fault driver liable for your damages.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge when it comes to representing people who have been injured in car accidents in Bradenton and all over the State of Florida. Our team of car accident attorneys has helped hundreds of clients to win the compensation that they are owed, and we know that we can help you too.
If you call our office today, we will explain the process of filing a personal injury claim and how we can assist you in the best possible way. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so do not hesitate to pick up your phone and get in touch with us now.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation today, and a personal injury lawyer will help you to win the compensation that you deserve following a reckless driving car accident in Bradenton.