Hartford Reckless Driving Lawyer

A dark blue car sedan crashed into a tree after having been forced off the road by an aggressive driver.Reckless driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the US today. Drivers face multiple distractions while on the road, choose to speed, or drive aggressively without a mere thought for others.

Although car accidents can happen for several reasons, many agree that the results are much more dangerous when a reckless driver is behind the wheel.

Drivers all assume some level of responsibility when they enter the roadway and must be held accountable if they act negligently. If you were in a car accident because of a reckless driver, do not settle for less than your case is worth.

At Bert McDowell Injury Law, we have a team of experienced lawyers who have successfully handled reckless driving cases. Get started today by calling Bert McDowell Injury Law at (203) 633-7449 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review today.

What You Get When You Hire a Hartford Reckless Driving Attorney

Being involved in a reckless driving incident is challenging and exhausting, both physically and legally. When you are injured in a crash, it will take time, patience, and money to receive the medical care and treatments to get better.

In addition, the accident may damage property, making it difficult to complete daily errands and go to work, something that many find themselves quickly turning to family and friends for help. To add to an overwhelming list of added responsibilities, victims must coordinate and negotiate with the negligent party insurance company for compensation to help offset their losses.

However, insurance companies are not your friends and are not looking to pay you what you are owed.

Insurance companies may attempt to twist your words and use them against you, deflecting blame on you rather than their insured client. Or, they may interpret medical findings to say that some of your injuries were related to pre-existing conditions, reducing the coverage offered.

Insurers often try to rush a settlement and offer you minimal compensation that barely covers the extent of your injuries or damages. In fact, it is not uncommon for claims to go back and forth for some time before an amount is agreed upon, with the insurance initially choosing to pay little and, in some cases, nothing at all.

Hiring an experienced reckless driving attorney to help you handle your claim often provides your best chance at obtaining the full extent of compensation your case warrants.

Having an attorney by your side will relieve stress and pressure while negotiating your claim. An attorney will help investigate the accident, evaluate evidence, communicate with insurance companies, navigate legal processes, and act as your representative in court.

Calculating Losses Suffered in Reckless Driving Accidents

The total loss will vary per case depending on the accident’s severity. Some cases are catastrophic, where the victim is out of work for many months, requires extensive surgery and physical therapy, and might need future accommodations now that they are left with life-long disabilities.

Speaking with a reckless driving lawyer who has handled similar cases is key to receiving the compensation your case deserves. With their help, you may receive compensation to cover the losses you experienced due to the accident.

Typical losses, called damages in these cases, may include:

Medical Costs

Medical bills stack up quickly when you’re receiving treatment for injuries from a car accident. The negligent party is ultimately responsible for the accident and should help offset these losses.

Some examples of medical bills are hospital bills, ambulance bills, ER visits, physical therapy sessions, future medical treatments, and medications needed to treat injuries. These expenses can quickly become a financial burden for individuals and their families.

Lost Wages

Injuries due to a car wreck may mean the victim cannot work for a few weeks or months. In some more severe cases, the victim can no longer work in their field or lose out on the chance for a promotion.

This can lead to a loss of income, which can be tough to manage, especially for families where the victim is the sole breadwinner in the household. This loss of income can be financially catastrophic for a family.

Property Damage

While injuries tend to be the most costly loss in a car accident, property damage can create a financial nightmare for the victim and their dependents. We use cars to get around to most places, including work, school, baseball practice, and to buy food.

Without one, the ability to get to these other places becomes difficult, if not impossible.

Your attorney will consider losses, including repairing or replacing damaged vehicles or personal property. These costs may include parts, labor, and other expenses and can vary depending on the extent of the damage.

What Is Considered Reckless Driving?

According to Connecticut’s reckless driving law, reckless driving is defined as a behavior that blatantly disregards the safety of others on the road.

Reckless drivers ignore traffic laws, exhibit aggressive driving maneuvers, and show little to no concern for the potential consequences of one’s actions. Although the legal definition may vary by jurisdiction, reckless driving typically involves behaviors beyond negligence and demonstrates a conscious disregard for safety, and they can include:

  • Excessive speeding
  • Tailgating cars in front of them
  • Not using signals when shifting lanes or turning
  • And other aggressive maneuvers that make it unsafe for all around them

How Does a Reckless Driving Accident Happen?

When some drivers enter the roadway, they give little thought to those around them and act as if they own the road. As a result, they may act aggressively towards other drivers, ignore road rules, and speed with little thought about the consequences.

UConn’s Connecticut Crash Data Repository reports that, between January 2020 and October 2023, there were 237,630 reckless driving accidents, which made up nearly 38.48% of crashes during that time. Some examples of why a reckless driving accident may occur are due to:

Aggressive Driving

Intimidating behavior on the road, such as road rage, tailing, and using offensive hand gestures, affects reaction times and decision-making. It also intimidates other drivers, making them feel unsafe while driving.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading drivers of accident statistics today. Drivers use their cell phones to text or talk, chat with their passengers, zone out, and even search for their favorite station on the radio.

All actions that divert attention from the road to look at a cell phone or a passenger and cause an accident.

Speeding

Speed limits are placed in multiple places alongside a stretch of roadway. They are there to advise drivers on the maximum speed they can travel, which is still safe and allows enough time to stop or turn if needed.

As one of the many traffic controlling methods today, when speed limits are ignored, it allows for less time for drivers to make quick decisions, often leading to a car accident.

Sudden Lane Changes

Every car has a signal to indicate when it is switching lanes. However, when a driver changes lanes abruptly, completely ignoring their signal, they may not allow enough notice for other drivers to slow down or stop, creating a hazardous condition on the road.

Tailgating

Driving a vehicle too close to the one in front, with insufficient space between the two vehicles, creates the perfect conditions for a car accident. When one driver is too close to another, they may not have enough time to stop if necessary, leading right to a crash.

Common Injuries Seen in Reckless Driving Accidents

When it comes to reckless driving accidents, the resulting injuries are minor to severe. Some of the most common types of injuries that can occur include:

  • Whiplash — The sudden force pushing the driver forward and back creates significant stiffness and limited mobility in the neck and upper back muscles.
  • Soft tissue injuries — Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments may result in sprains, strains, and more. These injuries may require surgery if they are too severe.
  • Back injuries — Spinal injuries are some of the most life-changing injuries in a car accident, leading to disabilities and a long road to recovery for the victim if recovery is possible at all.
  • Head injuries — The force of the crash may have the victim hit their head with the frame of the car, windows, or dash, leading to serious head injuries. Some examples are concussions, lacerations, or traumatic brain injuries.
  • Fractures — Breaking bones are seen in car accidents. The human bone is tolerant to force, but when applied to a precise location and quickly, the bone may be unable to tolerate it and will fracture as a result.
  • Internal injuries — Blunt force trauma may cause injuries to internal organs, requiring immediate medical attention and surgery. These medical procedures might be lifesaving to the victim.

Hire a Local Hartford Reckless Driving Law Firm to Fight for You!

A car accident caused by reckless driving can be catastrophic, leading to costly medical bills and car repairs — not to mention the long road to recovery for the victims involved. There is no reason why someone must enter the road with aggressive behavior and little regard for the others with whom they share it.

If this happens to you, know that you are not alone. You can find help in our law firm if you are seeking compensation for your losses.

At Bert McDowell Injury Law, our legal team is ready to support those affected by reckless driving accidents. Give us a call today to schedule your free, confidential initial consultation.

Reach us at (203) 633-7449 or contact us online to schedule a free case review with our experienced Hartford injury attorneys today.