Reckless Driving Car Accidents
Motor vehicle drivers in Pennsylvania can make many careless mistakes that result in car accidents. When a driver’s behaviors go beyond carelessness and into a flagrant disregard for the safety of others, this is known as reckless driving. Reckless driving can have criminal and civil consequences in Pennsylvania.
What Is Reckless Driving? (Pennsylvania’s Definition)
Reckless driving is a criminal act in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania General Assembly § 3736 states that “Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”
A “willful or wanton disregard” can describe various driver behaviors that demonstrate that the driver knows there is a foreseeable risk of harm to others but behaves dangerously anyway. Examples include:
- Excessive speeding
- Street or drag racing
- Tailgating
- Weaving in and out of multiple lanes
- Wrong-way driving
- Driving while impaired
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Red-light running
- Aggressive driving or road rage
If a driver is guilty of reckless driving, he or she can receive a fine of $200 to $400. Serious cases could also result in jail time and up to six months of driver’s license suspension. All penalties are enhanced if the reckless driver causes bodily injury. If someone dies because of the reckless driver’s actions, the fine can reach $25,000.
Liability in a Reckless Driving Car Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania operates as a “choice no-fault” state. This means drivers with limited right-to-sue (limited tort) coverage will seek financial compensation from their own car insurance providers after a car accident, regardless of fault. If a driver purchases unlimited right-to-sue (full tort) insurance or suffers serious injuries, he or she can sue outside of the no-fault system.
Reckless driving accidents often result in serious to catastrophic bodily injuries. This can open the door to a tort claim being filed against the reckless driver for causing the crash. The at-fault driver may be required to pay for the victim’s medical bills and property repairs through his or her automobile insurance policy.
Another possibility for crash liability could be the driver’s employer if the reckless driver was driving as an employee. Examples include rideshare drivers, taxi drivers, delivery drivers and truck drivers. If the reckless driver was drunk, you may also have the right to hold a dram shop or alcohol vendor liable.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help After a Reckless Driving Crash
If you get injured in a reckless driving car accident, the most effective way to protect your legal rights is to hire an experienced Pittsburgh attorney handling car accident cases. An attorney can take over your claim to help you achieve fair case results. You can focus on healing from your serious injuries while your lawyer finds evidence against the reckless driver, proves liability and fights for maximum compensation on your behalf.
In the tragic event that a loved one dies because of a reckless driver in Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh wrongful death attorney can help you take legal action to pursue justice. Your family may be entitled to compensation for the decedent’s final medical bills, funeral and burial costs, lost earnings, and your grief and mental anguish.
The right team of car accident attorneys can provide the legal counsel you need to protect your interests and achieve a fair case outcome after an accident involving a reckless driver. Contact Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. today for a free consultation.