Reckless driving results in hundreds of car accidents every year throughout the State of Florida. It is never easy to recover from the damage caused in a reckless driving car accident, and the at-fault driver must be held responsible for their reckless actions in the court of law.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to pursuing compensation for people who have been injured by reckless drivers in St. Petersburg and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has a reputation for helping clients in the most difficult situations to achieve reasonable outcomes for their cases.
We have a dedicated team of St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers who are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and winning compensation for clients who have suffered injuries and damages in a number of car accidents, ranging from reckless driving accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and much more. A St. Petersburg car accident attorney will help you to secure compensation from the driver who caused your car accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
If you have any questions in regard to your case, then you should reach out to a St. Petersburg car accident attorney from our law firm. We will talk you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and determine the amount of compensation that you could be owed.
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 St. Petersburg.
What Is the Difference Between Reckless Driving and Careless Driving in St. Petersburg, FL?
The terms ‘reckless driving’ and ‘careless driving’ are usually expressed in a very similar way, which might seem confusing at first. However, a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer will help you to understand the stark differences between the two terms.
- Careless driving – Florida Statute 316.1925 states that a driver has to travel 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.” In the event that a driver violates the Florida statute, they will be charged with careless driving, which carries hefty fines, an increase to their insurance rates, added points on their driver’s license, along with the possibility of their driver’s license getting revoked.
- Reckless driving – Florida Statute 316.192 states that reckless driving is operating a motor vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” The State of Florida class reckless driving as a criminal traffic offense, which carries serious punishment. A driver will have to spend up to 90 days in prison and pay a fine between $25 and $500 for a first conviction, and they will have to spend up to 6 months in prison and pay a fine between $50 and $1,000 for a subsequent conviction.
What Is Reckless Driving in St. Petersburg, FL?
Reckless driving is recognized as displaying “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property,” according to the law in the State of Florida. A reckless driver is known as someone who is aware of their dangerous actions but still operates their motor vehicle in a reckless manner. Meanwhile, a careless driver is known as someone who mistakenly endangers other road users without doing it on purpose.
At the end of the way, the judge and the jury will decide the type of traffic offense that will result in charging a driver with reckless driving. However, a driver who operates their motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and puts other people or property at risk, or a driver who is traveling 20 to 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, will almost always be charged with reckless driving in St. Petersburg.
Examples of Reckless Driving in St. Petersburg, FL.
The State of Florida requires every driver to operate their motor vehicle safely and in line with the law. These safety measures are set in place to protect the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and other road users in St. Petersburg. However, there are many drivers who decide to break the law and drive in a reckless manner on purpose. For example, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, tailgating and speeding tend to constitute reckless driving under Florida law. The most common behaviors that contribute to reckless behavior are:
- Racing with other motor vehicles on the road.
- Texting while driving and other types of distractions.
- Driving after dusk with the headlights turned off.
- Driving at excessively speeds (20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit).
- Passing other motor vehicles in a dangerous way.
- Passing a stopped school bus in an illegal manner.
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Running past stop signs and red lights.
- Weaving in and out of traffic.
- Tailgating.
- Failing to yield.
It is important to add that these forms of behavior alone are not sufficient for someone to get convicted of reckless driving in the State of Florida. The behavior and patterns of the driver at the time will have to be investigated and examined by the prosecution. The main examples of drivers who have been convicted of reckless driving include:
- A driver who travels at high speeds and passes other motor vehicles on the shoulder of the road in the middle of congested traffic.
- A driver who consumes alcohol, drives fast, and passes other motor vehicles in a dangerous way, and makes no attempt to avoid causing a car crash.
- A driver who was operating their motor vehicle over 80 miles per hour in a residential area and then performed a U-turn.
- A driver who speeds, ignores yellow and red traffic signals, and ignores worn down tire thread.
- A driver who was operating their motor vehicle at two times above the posted speed limit in a heavy traffic zone and made no attempt to avoid colliding into another stopped motor vehicle.
Furthermore, a driver who deliberately runs away from a police officer will be charged with reckless driving in the State of Florida. A driver will be adjudicated guilty of reckless driving in the event that they fled from a police officer, regardless of other elements that might be at play.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Other Consequences of Reckless Driving in St. Petersburg, FL.
There are a number of consequences that a driver will face for their reckless actions in St. Petersburg. Ultimately, the main consequences following a reckless driving car accident are personal injuries, property damage, and even wrongful death. In addition, a reckless driver will also face other consequences, such as:
- A criminal record.
- Time in jail.
- Hefty fines.
- A driver’s license suspension.
- Added points on their driver’s license.
- An increase in insurance rates.
The driver who caused the St. Petersburg car accident can still be held liable for your personal injuries in a civil lawsuit, even if they have not been found guilty of reckless driving under Florida law.
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 St. Petersburg, FL.
It is important that you put your health and safety first following a St. Petersburg car accident, and we have listed a number of other steps that you should take in order to put yourself in the best position to receive compensation later:
- Move to safety – If you have not been seriously injured, then you should try to step away from oncoming traffic and move to a safe location near the scene of the car accident.
- Check for injuries – It is important that you check for injuries after the initial impact of the car accident. If you or anyone else suffered an injury, then you have to pick up your phone to call an ambulance immediately.
- Call the police – You are obliged to call the police to the scene of a car accident under Florida Statute 316.062. The police officers will arrive at the scene and file a report of the accident, which is also an essential piece of evidence that will support your case.
- Contact information – It is important that you swap contact information with the other drivers at the location, such as names, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Collect evidence – It is worth taking the time to investigate the scene of the accident and gather evidence such as taking pictures of the location, road conditions, property damage, personal injuries, and any other piece of evidence which will help your case.
- Hire a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer – If you need assistance to pursue compensation, then you should call a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer from The Law Place. We will fight for your legal rights and help you to build a strong personal injury claim. Call us now to set up a free consultation.
Statute of Limitations in St. Petersburg, FL.
Every state has a unique statute of limitations in the United States of America. In the State of Florida, people who have been injured in accidents will only have up to four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If they pass the deadline, they will not be able to recover compensation for that particular accident in the future.
Compensation for a Reckless Driving Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
A car accident can result in a number of different damages, such as a pile of medical bills and suffering from physical pain in the aftermath. It is also difficult not to be able to work following an injury because it means that you are not getting paid, and you cannot cover the damages that you have suffered. That is where a St. Petersburg car accident attorney will step in to help you win the compensation that you deserve from the at-fault party. The types of compensation that you could be owed include:
- Medical expenses – Past, present, and future medical expenses like surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and much more.
- Lost income – Losing out on wages or future earning potential since you have been unable to work following the accident.
- Property damage – Damage to your motor vehicle will cost a lot of money to repair or replace.
- Pain and suffering – A loss of quality of life includes experiences of physical pain, emotional anguish, mental trauma, depression, or even being unable to perform the usual activities that you enjoy.
- Wrongful death – After someone you love was killed in a car accident, you could be owed compensation under Florida Statute 768.21.
It is worth getting in touch with a St. Petersburg car accident attorney in order to calculate the amount of compensation that you could receive following a reckless driving accident. Call us now to set up a free consultation in the State of Florida.
Other Consequences Following a Reckless Driving Car Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
A car accident involving reckless driving can have a serious impact on people’s lives. It is never easy to get back on your feet following a car crash, and you might even be feeling the effects of other consequences like:
- Loss of employment – If you have missed work for a long period of time, it could possibly result in losing your place of employment.
- Replacing your car – Motor vehicles are always expensive to repair or replace, especially after a car accident. It also makes it more difficult for you to get to the places that you need to be when you have to go without a car.
- Distress – A car accident can create serious distress in your life and leave you with a negative perspective on your health and mental wellbeing.
- Fear of driving – Many people who have suffered the impact of a car accident feel scared to drive or even get inside of a motor vehicle. It is not unusual for fear of driving to stop people from going to work or engaging in social activities.
A car accident has the potential to affect a number of different areas of your life, and it is not right that you are left to suffer on your own. It is important that you get in contact with a St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer from The Law Place, who will provide you with the necessary support and guidance to help you during this difficult period of your life.
How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement Worth in St. Petersburg, FL?
Insurance companies are notorious for wanting to offer less compensation than what you actually are owed in a car accident case. Their main priority is to profit on insurance claims, which means that they are not against taking advantage of your situation. Don’t worry – a car accident attorney from The Law Place will step in and handle the case on your behalf. We are aware of the games and tactics that insurance companies play, and we will make sure that you receive the full amount of compensation for your injuries and other damages that you suffered.
It is worth noting that the total compensation that you will recover in a car accident case will depend on a series of factors, such as:
- The individual was at fault for the car crash.
- The people who witnessed the car crash.
- The ages of the people who suffered an injury.
- The extent of your own injuries.
- The amount of your medical bills (including past, present, and future costs).
- The overall effect that a car accident has had on your life.
The numbers that are associated with these types of questions are quantifiable and usually tangible, which means that insurance companies will have to grade you on each one of them. They have special computers where they will input the grades and get an estimate of the amount of compensation in a settlement that they are willing to give you. If you believe that the offer is reasonable, then you can accept it. However, most of the initial offers that an insurance company will make are usually lower than what your case is actually worth. You will have a higher chance of winning much more compensation when you hire a St. Petersburg car accident attorney.
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by a reckless driver in St. Petersburg, then you most certainly deserve to be compensated for your injuries and other damages. It is not right that a reckless driver can get away with bad behavior, 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 representing people who have suffered at the hand of reckless drivers in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm is skilled at laying down the law and recovering compensation for clients who were injured in accidents that were not their fault
If you have any questions in regard to your case, feel free to pick up your phone and speak to a car accident lawyer now. We will explain the law surrounding reckless driving accidents, and we will offer you free legal advice that will help you to decide the smartest move to make in your current situation. The phones to our office are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so do not waste any time in pursuing compensation.
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 St. Petersburg.