It is unfortunate how reckless driving can impact the lives of innocent people in Englewood. Reckless driving accidents result in numerous personal injuries, property damage, and sometimes even wrongful death.
If you were injured in an auto accident caused by a reckless driver, then you could be entitled to compensation under Florida law. You could be compensated for injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, and much more. However, you will need to hire a personal injury attorney to investigate the auto accident and hold the guilty driver responsible for your damages.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in winning compensation for clients who have been involved in car accidents in Englewood and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm is highly trained to manage complex cases, ranging from drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, reckless driving accidents, and much more.
If you would like to speak to an Englewood personal injury attorney, then you should call our office now. An Englewood personal injury attorney will talk about your experience, and they will answer all of your questions in a free case review. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident attorney will secure the compensation that you deserve following a reckless driving accident in Englewood.
What Are the Differences Between Reckless Driving and Careless Driving in Englewood, FL?
You might initially feel confused by the terms ‘reckless driving’ and ‘careless driving’ because they are both often used interchangeably. An Englewood personal injury attorney will explain the differences between the two words.
- Careless driving – All drivers must operate their motor 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.” as outlined in Florida Statute 316.1925. A driver who violates the statute will suffer the consequences of a careless driving charge, which includes large fines, points added to their driver’s license, an increase to their insurance rates, and a possible revocation of their driver’s license.
- Reckless driving – A reckless driver is known as someone who operates their motor vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” as outlined in Florida Statute 316.192. Reckless driving is classed as a criminal traffic offense, and a reckless driver will have to pay a fine between $25 and $500 and spend up to 90 days in prison for a first conviction, and they will have to pay a fine between $50 and $1,000 and spend up to 6 months in prison for a second or third conviction.
What Is Reckless Driving in Englewood, FL?
A reckless driver is recognized as someone who shows “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property,” as stated in Florida law. Someone who drives recklessly is aware of their dangerous behavior, but they still continue to travel in a reckless manner. On the other hand, someone who drives carelessly puts other road users in danger without doing it on purpose.
It is always up to the judge and jury to determine what type of traffic offenses will result in a charge of reckless driving. However, there are some cases where a person will almost always face a charge of reckless driving, such as when:
- A driver who travels under the influence of alcohol or drugs while also putting other people or personal property in danger.
- A driver who travels 20 to 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
Examples of Reckless Driving in Englewood, FL.
Every driver has a responsibility to travel cautiously and follow the rules of the road in the State of Florida. The duty of care is an important safety measure that is meant to protect the lives of drivers, pedestrians, and other road users in Englewood. However, there are still drivers who break the law and travel recklessly on purpose. For instance, the main types of behaviors that constitute reckless driving tend to include speeding, tailgating, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our law firm has researched and formulated a list of the most common reckless behaviors:
- Driving at excessive speeds (20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit).
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Running past stop signs and red lights.
- Failing to yield.
- Passing other motor vehicles in a dangerous manner.
- Driving after dusk with the headlights turned off.
- Tailgating.
- Passing a stopped school bus in an illegal way.
- Texting while driving or other types of distractions.
- Racing with other motor vehicles on the road.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
However, one of these types of reckless behavior is not enough for a driver to face a conviction of reckless driving in the State of Florida. The prosecution will have to conduct an investigation into the behavior and patterns of the driver at the time that they were caught reckless driving. Our law firm has managed hundreds of cases of drivers who were facing a conviction of reckless driving, such as:
- Driving at high speeds and passing other drivers on the shoulder of the road in traffic.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, and passing other drivers in a dangerous way while making no effort to avoid causing a car accident.
- Driving over 80 miles per hour in a residential area and performing a U-turn.
- Driving fast, ignoring yellow and red traffic signals and worn down tire thread.
- Driving at two times above the posted speed limit in traffic while making no effort to avoid crashing into another stopped driver.
In addition, a driver will be automatically charged with reckless driving in the event that they run away from a police officer in the State of Florida.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
What to Do After a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Englewood, FL.
You must remember to put yourself first in the aftermath of a car accident in Englewood. Our law firm highly recommends that you follow these steps:
- Move to safety – If you did not sustain a serious injury, then you should move away from traffic and wait in a safe place that is close to the location of the Englewood car accident.
- Check for injuries – Always check for an injury immediately after the impact of a car accident. If there is an injury, then you should call an ambulance as soon as possible.
- Call the police – Florida Statute 316.062 mandates that you have to call law enforcement to the location of a car accident. The police officers will investigate the scene and file a report of the accident, which will also help you to file an Englewood personal injury claim.
- Contact information – Remember to swap contact information with the other people involved in the car accident, including names, phones numbers, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Collect evidence – It is important that you investigate the scene of the accident by collecting evidence like taking pictures of the location, property damage, personal injuries, road conditions, and much more.
- Hire an Englewood car accident lawyer – You should call an Englewood car accident lawyer in order to win compensation for your case following a car accident. Contact The Law Place now to set up a free case review.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Statute of Limitations in Englewood, FL.
The statute of limitations is different in every state, and everyone has a certain amount of time to file a personal injury claim following an accident.
The State of Florida declares that people have up to four years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim. If they fail to file a personal injury claim within the given time period, then they will not be able to recover compensation in the future.
Compensation for a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Englewood, FL.
People who have suffered a car accident as a result of a reckless driver will usually have to deal with medical bills, pain and suffering, a loss of wages, property damage, and much more. A personal injury lawyer from The Law Place will help you by investigating the extent of the damage caused and calculating the amount of compensation that you could be owed. Our law firm will fight to recover:
- Medical costs – You deserve compensation for past, present, and future medical costs, including hospitalization, surgery, visits to the doctor, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medication, and other medical-related expenses.
- Lost wages – You deserve compensation for lost wages or a reduced earning capacity since you have not been able to go to work.
- Property damage – You deserve compensation for the costs to repair or replace your motor vehicle or other property damage.
- Pain and suffering – You deserve compensation for a reduced quality of life, including physical pain, mental trauma, emotional anguish, and other pain-related experiences.
- Wrongful death – You deserve compensation for the loss of a loved one in an accident by filing a wrongful death claim as stated in Florida Statute 768.21.
You should get in contact with a personal injury lawyer from The Law Place who will aggressively pursue the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve following a car accident caused by a reckless driver. Call our office now to schedule a free consultation in Englewood.
Other Consequences Following a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Englewood, FL.
A car accident caused by a reckless driver can result in many different consequences. It is possible that you might be feeling the effects of other consequences, along with medical costs, property damage, and lost wages.
- Loss of employment – You could lose your job in the event that you have not been able to go back to work for a long period of time.
- Replacing your car – It can be very expensive to repair or replace a motor vehicle, especially with all of the damage caused by a car accident. If you have a damaged motor vehicle, it will also make it difficult for you to travel and get to the places that you need to be when you do not have access to a car.
- Distress – The distress caused by a car accident can leave you with a pessimistic view of your health and wellbeing.
- Fear of driving – It is not uncommon for people to feel scared of getting inside of a motor vehicle, or they might even develop a fear of driving following a car accident. A fear of driving can also stop people from maintaining a social life or even going to work.
No one should have to suffer the consequences of a car accident on their own, especially when it has affected a number of different areas in your life. It is imperative that you call a personal injury attorney from The Law Place, who will provide you with the guidance and support that you need to help you during this difficult time.
How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement Worth in Englewood, FL?
An insurance company will always want to pay you less compensation than what you actually deserve following an auto accident. All they want to do is profit on an insurance claim, and they will take advantage of your situation if you are not careful. However, there is no need to worry because a car accident attorney from The Law Place will handle the communication with your insurance company. Our law firm knows the type of games that insurance companies play, and we will make sure that no one takes advantage of you. Our team of car accident lawyers will fight to win the full amount of compensation that will cover your injuries and other damages.
The total compensation will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The driver was at fault for the car accident.
- The people who were a witness to the car accident.
- The ages of the people who were injured.
- The severity of your injuries.
- The total medical costs (past, present, and future).
- The effect that the car accident has had on your life.
You will definitely have a greater chance of winning compensation when you enlist the services of a car accident lawyer from The Law Place. We will handle all forms of negotiation with the insurance companies involved, and we will make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you are owed. Our law firm understands that it is not easy to get back on your feet following a car accident, and we will help you in any way that we can.
Contact The Law Place Today in Englewood, FL.
If you were involved in a car accident that was caused by a reckless driver, then you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages in Englewood. A reckless driver must be held accountable in the court of law, and we will not let them get away without paying the price.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge in representing clients who have been hurt in car accidents in Englewood and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has helped hundreds of people who have been injured by reckless drivers, and we will help you to recover the compensation that you are owed.
A car accident attorney will handle all of the aspects of your case, such as investigating your accident, collecting facts and information, speaking to eyewitnesses, dealing with paperwork, negotiating with the insurance companies, and filing your personal injury claim, so that you can take the time that you need to recover from your injuries.
If you need to speak to someone in regard to your case, then you should call a personal injury lawyer now. We will explain the details of personal injury law and answer all of your questions. The phone lines to our office are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can speak to us when you are ready.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident attorney will secure the compensation that you deserve following a reckless driving accident in Englewood.