Reckless driving can easily cause a car accident. If you were injured by a driver who simply did not care about sharing the road safely with others, you have a good reason to make a claim with their car insurance provider. A San Antonio, Texas car accident lawyer from our firm can help you negotiate the kind of settlement you deserve.
What Can Be Considered Reckless Driving?
Essentially, any behavior that shows that a driver does not care about safely sharing the road with others can be considered reckless driving. Whether you were in a car, riding a bike, or walking somewhere, the driver who caused your injuries was supposed to act in a manner that kept you safe. Instead, they engaged in hazardous behavior like:
- Speeding
- Aggressive lane changes
- Tailgating
- Street racing
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Refusing to yield to traffic or pedestrians when required to
What Kinds of Damages Can I Sue a Dangerous Driver For?
In most cases like these, you would ask for compensatory damages. These cover the economic and non-economic costs of an accident. That can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment
- Psychological trauma
- Property damages
- Any other pain or suffering stemming from the accident
What Happens if the Driver I Sue is Charged With Reckless Driving?
While you file a civil case against a reckless driver, that might just be the start of their legal troubles. Your civil case does not stop the prosecutor from pursuing a criminal case against them. This means that they could be on trial for the crime at the same time that you are negotiating with their insurance company for fair compensation.
If the driver you’re suing is convicted, that conviction can actually be used as evidence in your case. It’s much harder for an insurer to deny responsibility when the driver using their policy has a criminal conviction.
Can I Win Punitive Damages in a Car Accident Case?
We talked about compensatory damages earlier, but in a case where reckless driving causes an accident they might not be the only damages on the table. Punitive damages, as the name implies, are meant to punish someone for particularly negligent or egregious behavior. Reckless driving could qualify.
That means that you could receive punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Though there is a cap on punitive damages in Texas, this can still result in a significant payout. Your lawyer can advise you about whether or not pursuing these damages is worthwhile.
Contact Our Law Firm
So if reckless driving caused your car accident and your injuries, we want to help you hold that negligent driver accountable. Contact Sahadi Legal Group to schedule your free case consultation today.
