Reckless behavior, such as excessive speeding or racing with other road users, causes hundreds of car accidents every year in the State of Florida. If you were hurt by a reckless driver, then you could be entitled to compensation.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in fighting against reckless drivers in Fort Myers and across the State of Florida. Our law firm has pursued compensation on behalf of many clients who have been injured in Fort Myers car accidents, and we know that we can help you too.
Our team of personal injury lawyers is highly trained to deal with difficult cases ranging from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting while driving, and reckless driving accidents. We will aggressively pursue compensation that will cover your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more. If you have any questions in regard to your case, feel free to call us now. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can speak to us at any time – day or night.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident attorney will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a reckless driving accident in Fort Myers.
What Is the Difference Between Reckless Driving and Careless Driving in Fort Myers, FL?
You might have heard of the terms ‘reckless driving’ and ‘careless driving,’ but maybe you don’t actually know what they mean. A Fort Myers car accident lawyer from The Law Place will help you to understand the difference between the two terms.
- Careless driving – A driver is required to travel in “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” under Florida Statute 316.1925. A driver who violates the Florida statute will be charged with careless driving, and they will have to pay large fines, get points added to their driver’s license, higher insurance rates and face the possibility of their driver’s license getting revoked.
- Reckless driving – A driver who operates their motor vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” is classed as reckless driving under Florida Statute 316.192. Reckless driving is recognized as a criminal traffic offense in the State of Florida. A first conviction will result in spending up to 90 days in prison and paying a fine between $25 and $500, while a subsequent conviction will result in spending up to 6 months in prison and paying a fine between $50 and $1,000.
For a free legal consultation with a reckless driving accidents lawyer serving Fort Myers, call 941-444-4444
What Is Reckless Driving in Fort Myers, FL?
The law declares that a driver who displays “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property” will be charged with reckless driving in the State of Florida. In other words, a driver who knows that their actions are dangerous but carries on driving in an irresponsible manner is classed as a reckless driver. Meanwhile, a driver who mistakenly puts other road users at risk by accident is classed as a careless driver.
The judge and jury will ultimately decide the type of traffic offenses that will result in a charge of reckless driving. However, there are certain offenses that will almost always result in getting charged with reckless driving, such as:
- A driver who travels under the influence of alcohol or drugs and puts other people or property in danger.
- A driver who travels 20 to 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
Fort Myers Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 941-444-4444
Examples of Reckless Driving in Fort Myers, FL.
All drivers are expected to travel safely and in accordance with the law in the State of Florida. The safety laws are meant to protect the lives of drivers, pedestrians, and other road users. However, there are many drivers who intentionally break the law and drive recklessly on purpose. For example, speeding, tailgating, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs all constitute reckless driving, according to the law in the State of Florida.
The most common types of behavior that contribute to reckless driving include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Racing with other motor vehicles on the road.
- Driving at excessive speeds (20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit).
- Driving after dusk with the headlights turned off.
- Passing a stopped school bus in an illegal manner.
- Passing other motor vehicles in a dangerous way.
- Tailgating.
- Failing to yield.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
- Running past stop signs and red lights.
- Texting while driving and other types of distractions.
The behaviors listed above are not enough to convict someone of reckless driving in the State of Florida. The behavior and patterns of the driver in question will have to undergo an investigation and be examined by specialists.
Here is a list of offenses and drivers who have been convicted of reckless driving:
- A driver who drinks alcohol travels fast and passes by other motor vehicles in a reckless manner, and makes no attempt to avoid causing a car accident.
- A driver who speeds disregards yellow and red traffic signals and worn-down tire thread.
- A driver who operates their motor vehicle at two times above the posted speed limit in a heavy traffic zone and makes no effort to avoid colliding into another stopped motor vehicle.
- A driver who operates their motor vehicle over 80 miles per hour in a residential area and then abruptly makes a U-turn.
- A driver who travels at high speeds and passes other motor vehicles on the shoulder of the road in the middle of heavy traffic.
In addition, a driver who flees from a police officer will automatically be charged with reckless driving, regardless of any other elements that might be involved in the case, according to the law in the State of Florida.
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Other Consequences of Reckless Driving in Fort Myers, FL.
A reckless driver will face a number of consequences for their negligent actions in Fort Myers. However, the main ones will always be the personal injuries, property damage, or even wrongful death that might have occurred. The other types of consequences that they will face include:
- Time in jail.
- Large fines.
- Added points on their driver’s license.
- An increase in their insurance rates.
- A driver’s license suspension.
- A criminal record.
The reckless driver can also be held liable for your personal injuries by filing a civil lawsuit, even if they are not convicted of reckless driving in Fort Myers.
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What to Do After a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Fort Myers, FL.
You should always prioritize your health and safety after a reckless driving car accident in Fort Myers. Our law firm has written a number of steps that you should follow in order to put yourself in the best position to file a personal injury claim later:
- Move to safety – If you can, move away from oncoming traffic and wait in a secure location near the car accident.
- Check for injuries – After the impact of the car accident, check yourself and everyone else to see if you have suffered an injury. If there is an injury, then you should call an ambulance straight away.
- Call the police – Florida Statute 316.062 declares that you have to call the police to the location of an auto accident. The police officers will arrive at the scene and proceed to investigate. They will file a report of the accident, which will also help you to pursue compensation later.
- Contact information – You must exchange contact information with the other people who were involved in the auto accident. Contact information includes names, phone numbers, insurance details, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Collect evidence – It is beneficial for your case if you take the time to investigate the location and collect evidence by taking pictures of the scene, road conditions, property damage, personal injury, and more.
- Hire a Fort Myers car accident lawyer – If you want to know if you could be eligible to receive compensation, then you should call a car accident lawyer from The Law Place. Our team of car accident lawyers will help you to develop a personal injury claim that will surely win the compensation that you are owed. Call our office today to set up a free consultation.
Statute of Limitations in Fort Myers, FL.
All states have a statute of limitations in America.
People who have suffered an injury will only have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim according to the statute of limitations in the State of Florida. Furthermore, people who have lost a loved one in an accident will only have two years from the date of their passing to file a wrongful death claim.
If they miss the deadline, then they will not be able to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim later.
Compensation for a Reckless Driving Car Accident in Fort Myers, FL.
People who have suffered damages in a Fort Myers car accident could be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills and property damage, along with experiences of pain and suffering. It is hard to get back on your feet following an auto accident, and it is even worse when you are losing wages by not being able to work as a result of your injury.
A car accident attorney from The Law Place will help you by calculating the extent of your damages and determining the amount of compensation that you could be owed, such as:
- Medical expenses – Past, present, and future medical bills like prescription medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, surgery, hospitalization, and much more.
- Lost income – The lost wages or reduced earning capacity since you have not been able to go to work.
- Property damage – The damage to your motor vehicle or other personal property will usually cost a lot of money to repair or replace.
- Pain and suffering – A reduced quality of life includes experiences of physical pain, mental trauma, emotional anguish, depression, or even not being able to perform your daily activities as you could before.
- Wrongful death – When a loved one was killed in an auto accident, you and your family could be entitled to compensation by filing a wrongful death claim according to Florida Statute 768.21.
It is essential that you call a car accident lawyer from The Law Place in order to get a better idea of how much your case is worth. Contact us to schedule a free consultation now.
How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement Worth in Fort Myers, FL?
The main priority of an insurance company is to profit on claims, which means that they will want to pay you less compensation than you actually deserve following an auto accident in Fort Myers. However, there is no need to worry because a car accident attorney from The Law Place will handle all forms of communication with the insurance company so that they do not take advantage of you. Our law firm knows the type of games and tactics that insurance companies play, and we will fight for the full amount of compensation that will cover all of your injuries and damages.
The total amount of compensation that you could be entitled to receive will depend on a number of factors, such as:
- The effect that the car accident has on your life.
- The ages of the people who sustained an injury.
- The severity of your injuries.
- The people who witnessed the auto accident.
- The person who was determined to be at fault for the auto accident.
- The total of your past, present, and future medical costs.
You will always have a higher chance of winning more compensation when you get a car accident lawyer from The Law Place to represent your case in Fort Myers. Call us now to set up a free consultation.
Contact The Law Place Today in Fort Myers, FL.
If you were involved in a car accident that was caused by a reckless driver, then you should consider filing a personal injury claim in Fort Myers. A reckless driver must be held accountable for their dangerous behavior, and you deserve to be compensated for the injuries and damages that you sustained.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to tackling reckless driving accidents in Fort Myers and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has a reputation for winning cases and helping clients to recover compensation for accidents that were not their fault.
If you would like to understand more about your legal rights, then you should give us a call now. A car accident lawyer will discuss the details of your case and estimate the value of your personal injury claim. The phone lines to our office are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so you do not need to waste time in pursuing the compensation that you are owed.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident attorney will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a reckless driving accident in Fort Myers.
Call or text 941-444-4444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form