Someone who drives in a reckless manner is considered a danger on the road as they are intentionally putting their own life and other people’s lives at risk in North Port. Reckless driving accidents have the potential to result in disaster, including serious injury or death to innocent people, pain and suffering, property damage, financial burdens, and more.
A reckless driver who causes an accident will be held liable for damages, and they could even face criminal prosecution. If you were hurt in a reckless driving accident, then you will need the assistance of a personal injury attorney to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions and achieve justice for your case in North Port.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience in pursuing personal injury claims for car accident victims with great success. Our practice areas cover all types of road cases, such as driving under the influence (DUI), distracted driving, multiple car accidents, reckless driving, and more. Our law firm understands the complexities of reckless driving cases, and we will provide you with the support and guidance that you need to make the right decisions in your case.
Our team of North Port car accident lawyers will help you to understand your legal rights, and they will provide strong representation for your case. We will be ready to get to work on your case as soon as you make the call. The phone lines to our office are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight to win the compensation that you deserve from the reckless driver who caused your accident in North Port.
What Is Reckless Driving in North Port, FL?
Florida Statute 316.192 defines reckless driving as “any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property,” and it is classed as a misdemeanor offense in the State of Florida.
A driver can receive a charge of reckless driving in the event that they commit a moving violation that creates significant danger for pedestrians and other road users. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) reported that close to 400,000 car accidents occur every single year, which includes up to 3,500 deaths in the State of Florida. Every car accident has the potential to change the lives of all people involved, such as serious injuries that require medical treatment, cars in need of repair, experiences of pain and suffering, and much more.
Types of Reckless Driving Accidents in North Port, FL.
Every driver automatically assumes a duty of care as soon as they pass their test in the State of Florida. The duty of care requires all drivers to operate their vehicles safely and in line with the rules of the road in order to keep themselves and other road users safe. However, a driver breaches their duty of care if they drive recklessly and intentionally put lives at risk. There are a number of behaviors that contribute to reckless driving, which include:
- Excessive speeding.
- Speeding over 20 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit.
- Driving past stop signs and red lights.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Distracted driving, including texting, eating, engaging in conversation, or adjusting a navigational system while driving.
- Tailgating (following a vehicle too closely).
- Racing with other vehicles.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
- Failing to yield.
- Driving with headlights off past dusk.
- Passing by a stopped school bus in an illegal manner.
- Passing by other vehicles in a dangerous way.
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals.
If a driver is caught reckless driving in North Port, then they could face criminal punishment, such as:
- Having to pay a fine of up to $500.
- Spending up to 90 days in jail.
A repeated offense of reckless driving can result in having to pay up to $1,000 in fines and spending up to 12 months in jail. If there is property damage or serious bodily harm inflicted on a person in the accident, then the at-fault driver will be charged with a third-degree felony. The penalties for a third-degree felony include having to pay up to $5,000 in fines and spending up to 5 years in jail.
What Is the Difference Between Careless Driving and Reckless Driving in North Port, FL?
If you suffered injuries in a North Port car accident, then you might be wondering how you can file charges against the driver in question. If you are feeling at a loss for what to do next, then you should speak to a car accident attorney from The Law Place today. A car accident attorney will help you to understand your legal rights and the best move to make in your current situation.
You might have heard the terms ‘reckless driving’ and ‘careless driving’ in regard to car accidents, and it is important that you are aware of the differences between the two.
- Careless driving – Florida Statute 316.1925 explains that a person 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 a driver violates this statute, then it will lead to a charge of careless driving, which carries fines, points on your driver’s license, an increase to insurance rates, and the possible revocation of your driver’s license.
- Reckless driving – Florida Statute 316.192 defines reckless driving as the “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” when operating a vehicle. It is classed as a criminal traffic offense. A first-time conviction of reckless driving is punishable by spending up to 90 days in prison and having to pay a fine between $25 and $500. A subsequent conviction of reckless driving will mean that a driver faces up to 6 months in prison, and they will have to pay a fine between $50 and $1,000.
Compensation Available for Reckless Driving Accident Victims in North Port, FL.
Our team of North Port car accident lawyers will determine who is responsible for your injuries, and they will explore every legal option in order to find the best course of action. Here are some of the main types of compensation available:
- Medical bills – You will have to cover past, present, and future medical expenses, prescription medication, physical therapy, hospitalization, transportation costs, and more.
- Lost wages – You may have been left unable to work since the accident, which means that you could have missed out on potential earnings due to your injuries.
- Property damage – Your vehicle was most likely damaged in the accident, and you will have to cover the costs to repair or replace it.
- Pain and suffering – You might experience emotional trauma, mental anguish, fear, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and more in the days following the accident.
How Much Is a Reckless Driving Accident Settlement Worth in North Port, FL?
If you were injured in a reckless driving accident, then you will need the services of a car accident lawyer to determine the value of your case in North Port. The amount that you could receive in compensation will depend on a series of factors, such as:
- The severity of your injuries.
- Past, present, and future medical bills.
- The amount of your medical expenses.
- Eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Determining who was at fault for the accident.
- The ages of the people injured.
- The impact that the accident has had on the lives of the people involved, and how it has affected their enjoyment of life.
A car accident lawyer from The Law Place will evaluate your case in order to fully estimate the amount of compensation that you are owed due to the reckless driving accident. Insurance companies are notorious for devaluing personal injury claims, as their top priory is to make as much profit as possible out of car accident cases like yours.
Our law firm is fully aware of the games that insurance companies play, and we will not let anyone take advantage of your situation. Our car accident lawyers will do their best to negotiate with the insurance company and agree on a settlement that is satisfactory for you. However, if we are unable to agree on the settlement that they are offering, then we will be ready to take your case to court.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Was Not My Fault in North Port, FL?
Yes, one hundred percent. If you were hurt in any type of accident that was not your fault, then you are going to want to seek the maximum amount of compensation possible in order to cover all of your injuries and other losses that you might have faced. In this case, you will need the best personal injury lawyer out there to defend your legal rights.
When you are looking to hire a personal injury lawyer, you must look for key qualities, such as organizational abilities and negotiation skills. An insurance company will always try to offer less compensation than you deserve and pressure you to accept the payment. If you do not have a personal injury lawyer on your side to advise you, then you might fall into this trap.
You will need a personal injury lawyer who has a reputation for winning cases like yours, as they will have the necessary experience and knowledge to guide you through the legal system in the State of Florida.
If you choose The Law Place to represent you in court, then we will work day and night to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your case. Our law firm will hold the at-fault party accountable for their reckless actions, and we will not let them get away without justice being served.
Statute of Limitations in the State of Florida
The statute of limitations is clearly laid out in Florida Statue 95.11.
It states that, you have up to four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim against the party who caused your reckless driving crash.
If you fail to pursue a personal injury claim within the given time period, then the court will most likely dismiss your case. That is why it is important to have a personal injury lawyer on your side to help you prepare, file, and argue your case in order to reach a settlement with the insurance company involved as soon as possible.
Contact The Law Place Today in North Port, FL.
If you were involved in a reckless driving accident that was not your fault and you suffered injuries, then you should not wait another minute to hold them liable for your damages in North Port. In this case, you will need to hire a personal injury lawyer to assist you in winning the compensation that you deserve.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience managing car accident cases for clients in North Port and across the State of Florida. Our law firm has a successful track record of helping victims who have suffered in reckless driving accidents to recover the compensation that they are owed.
Our team of car accident lawyers will handle every aspect of your case while you take the necessary amount of time that you need to heal from your injuries. They will investigate your accident, collect facts and information, get in touch with eyewitnesses, skillfully negotiate with the insurance company, and settle your case efficiently. Rest assured that we will not let the reckless driver get away without being held accountable for their actions and without justice being served.
If you have any questions about your case, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our car accident lawyers today. They will talk you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and answer all of your questions. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can call us at a time that is convenient for you.
Contact The Law Place now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight to win the compensation that you deserve from the reckless driver who caused your accident in North Port.
Call or text 941-444-4444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form