Reckless Driving Accidents
Whenever you’re involved in a reckless driving accident in Georgia, you’re entitled to receive compensation even if the insurance company denies it or asks for a settlement. There are lots of examples of reckless driving and most drivers are found guilty of driving their vehicle while texting, under the influence of alcohol or at an increased speed.
A driver is not always intentionally a bad person or someone that does not understand the consequences of driving recklessly. There are many decent people who also make wrong decisions resulting in reckless driving accidents. In such incidents, vehicles are damaged or people are hurt.
According to the laws of Georgia, there are certain factors that will help you in determining whether you have the right to receive compensation or not.
What Is Considered Reckless Driving?
There are numerous traffic violations that are covered under reckless driving. Reckless driving is classified as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for safety, or showing willful disregard for consequences when operating a vehicle. Whether it is at a high speed or not, obeying the traffic signals or failing to yield is also an example of reckless driving and violation.
As per Georgia law, reckless driving is operating a vehicle without thinking about other people on the road or the property of others. Some of the examples are:
Driving the vehicle at a high or low rate of speed.
Blocking the flow of traffic.
Unable to share the roadway with other vehicles.
Passing a vehicle on a curve with less than 500 feet of vision.
There is not an exact clear-cut definition of reckless driving and it can occur for several reasons including excessive speeding, running red lights, weaving, and not following the traffic rules.
Georgia Laws Against Reckless Driving
In Georgia, there are serious penalties a driver must pay for reckless driving. The penalties are based on the kind of damages.
Property damage caused by reckless driving
This type of reckless driving can lead to a yearlong driver’s license suspension.
Reckless driving resulting in injury
If injuries occur because of reckless driving, it can result in license suspension and up to a year in jail.
Standard reckless driving
Most people don’t know that driving a vehicle at a slow speed can also result in a reckless driving charge. Standard reckless driving can happen because of too slow or high speed, and illegally passing other vehicles around a curve.
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor charge in Georgia. This means that the driver at fault has to pay a fine of up to $1000, jail up to 12 months in jail and possibly community service. It all depends on the judge’s decision. If a driver is under 21, then their license will automatically be suspended.
DUI Charges For Reckless Driving?
There are many people who look out for ways to reduce their DUI charges, especially when guilty of reckless driving. Lawyers amend DUI charges when they find driving offenses, but there is no solid proof.
When someone is charged with a DUI, a reduction is definitely considered a win. Furthermore, a reduction helps a driver avoid a license suspension and prevents them from having a DUI on their criminal record.
What Should a Victim Do After a Reckless Driving Accident?
If you’ve been a victim of a reckless driving accident in Georgia then you should follow a few important steps:
Call the police and file a police report
Try to take photographic or video evidence of the accident
Immediately seek medical attention if you have experienced any kind of injury or trauma in an accident. The doctors will be able to provide you with a proper diagnosis.
Quickly contact a reputable personal injury attorney who can help you by helping you navigate through the process of filing a legal claim.
What Type of Compensation Can One Expect After a Reckless Driving Accident?
After a reckless driving accident, many find it difficult to receive the compensation that they deserve. Typically, this is because they mainly focus on their healing first. However, it is important to file for a personal injury claim and complete all necessary paperwork with the police.
Oftentimes the insurance company doesn’t pay proper attention to the case and does not want to pay the deserved amount. The victims should know that they are still able to apply for personal injury compensation for:
Property damage – If your vehicle gets damaged in an accident, you are entitled to get repair costs and rental car fees.
Pain and suffering – Your emotional, physical or mental distress that occurred in an accident are covered.
Medical expenses – Whether it's your hospital stays, medical appointments, prescriptions, ambulance rides or surgeries - all are covered under personal injury claim.
Lost wages – If you experience lost income or potential earnings because of an accident, you can reclaim it through a personal injury claim.
Loss of quality of life – When a car accident results in mental, emotional or physical injuries; it will certainly reduce the quality of life. If this happens to you, then you are owed compensation for damages.
How Do You File a Personal Injury Claim?
Usually after a car accident, a person remains in a confused state because of the injuries and medical bills they must pay. Most of the time, insurance companies will try to deny any compensation. In this case, a good personal injury attorney can help you file a personal injury claim.
Requesting legal services from an experienced personal injury attorney can minimize your stress and help achieve justice if you or a loved one have been in a car accident due to reckless driving.
At The Wilson PC Personal Injury Attorneys, our team works passionately on every case and treats every client like family. We work on your behalf and fight to get the justice that you deserve. We work as a line of defense for victims of Georgia reckless driving cases because we have a full understanding of how the law works and can use the law in your favor. Our legal experts also know that every police officer, judge, or lawyer has their own judgments and opinions regarding reckless driving. We will consider every angle of your case to ensure that you receive every penny owed to you.
When you are injured in a reckless driving accident, you might feel disoriented or confused and have no idea where you can get help. The Wilson PC Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help you navigate through the right process and help you in receiving the best treatment for your injuries. Furthermore, we also work to maximize compensation for the suffering and pain you may be experiencing from your car accident.
No matter what condition you’re in, please contact us immediately for a free consultation if you or a loved one have been in a car accident. We are always here to help.
