older man and woman with hands in the air in a red convertible on a cliff reckless driving accident

Drivers that operate a vehicle in a reckless or aggressive manner put the lives of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk. Although reckless driving is a major traffic violation, 30 percent of all vehicle accidents nationwide involve reckless driving, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), often leading to serious injuries and fatalities.

At J&Y Law Firm, we believe that no one should suffer due to a car accident caused by a reckless or negligent driver. We are well versed in personal injury law and have extensive experience pursuing car accident injury claims in Northern and Southern California. If you or a loved one has been injured in a reckless driving accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

What is reckless driving?

Under the California Vehicle Code (Section 23103), a reckless driver is defined as one “who drives a vehicle upon a highway with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Reckless driving typically involves a number of behaviors and decisions, such as disobeying traffic laws and ignoring the rules of the road. In particular, examples of reckless driving include:

  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI)
  • Tailgating
  • Sudden Braking
  • Failing to use turn signals
  • Making illegal turns
  • Failing to yield right of way
  • Distracted driving
  • Street Racing
  • Running stop signs or red lights
  • Passing on the wrong side of the road

Generally, a conviction can lead to incarceration in a country jail and fines up to $1,000, or both while the penalties for DUI are more severe. Even if the other driver is not convicted, however, it is still possible to pursue a personal injury claim.

Injuries Caused By Reckless and Aggressive Drivers

Reckless and aggressive driving result in all types of accidents such as side-impact collisions (T-bones), head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, and pedestrian accidents, all of which can cause a wide range of injuries including:

  • Brain/head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Facial fractures, lacerations
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Amputations
  • Chest injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries

In any event, all of these injuries could have one thing in common: they could have been avoided had the other driver not been operating his or her vehicle recklessly.

Establishing Liability in a Reckless Driving Accident

Although many car accident cases are based on the legal theory of negligence, in the case of reckless driving it is possible to show that the other driver was at fault by establishing intentional conduct or “negligence per se.” Intentional conduct is that which is taken voluntarily, with a likelihood of the certainty of the consequences, such as driving while intoxicated.

Additionally, because negligence per se involves the violation of a law and reckless driving is a vehicle code violation in California, another driver, passenger or pedestrian who is injured may be able to establish liability by relying on negligence per se. Nonetheless, a pursuing successful claim requires the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney.

California Car Accident Attorneys

J&Y Law Firm believes that reckless drivers must be held accountable for accidents that result in injuries to others. Over our many years of practice, we have helped clients who were injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents. We know that being injured in an accident is an overwhelming experience and offer each client compassion, knowledge and a superior level of personal service.

Our legal team has the skills and resources that are essential for pursuing successful claims against reckless and aggressive drivers. We will conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain all the relevant facts. We will obtain and review the police reports, identify and interview potential witnesses, and work tirelessly to show that the other driver was reckless.

Because car accident cases often involve dealing with an insurance company, we aggressively fight to reach settlements that are fair and reasonable. If the insurer fails to pay the full value of the claim, we are fully prepared to litigate the matter at trial. Above all, we are committed to helping our our clients obtain meaningful compensation and making sure they receive the medical care that they need.

The experienced car accident attorneys at the J&Y law firm have extensive experience handling automobile accident cases in Northern and Southern California. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by a reckless driver, call our office today for a free consultation or complete the contact form on our website.

J&Y Law Firm represents clients in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, San Bernardino County, San Francisco County, Sacramento County and all of Northern and Southern California.