reckless driving accident

As drivers on Texas roadways, we understand that accidents happen. When reckless driving causes an accident, however, there is little sympathy given to the driver who chose to speed, drive under the influence, or otherwise put people’s lives in danger on our roadways.

When a reckless driver causes an injury accident or if someone dies as a result of their actions behind the wheel, they should be held accountable. At Burch Law Firm, we have seen the devastation that a reckless driver can cause to your life and the lives of your family members, which is why we have committed our careers to helping the injured seek justice.

We firmly believe that there is no room for recklessness behind the wheel, and we are prepared to stand beside you if you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Contact us now by phone or online for a free consultation.

Why Choose Burch Law Firm?

  • The team at Burch Law Firm has over a quarter-century of experience handling cases involving reckless or negligent individuals. We have particular experience handling reckless driving cases.
  • Unlike large firms in the big cities who pass clients from one attorney to another within the firm, we pride ourselves on giving our clients the personal attention they deserve.
  • When you work with us, you will work directly with a car accident attorney on our team from the very first meeting all the way through to the end of the process.
  • We are here to help answer your questions and help you through this difficult time.  Contact us to find out why so many of our clients have recommended us to their family and friends, and why other attorneys speak so highly of our firm.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Whenever an individual ignores the rules of the road or acts in blatant disregard for the safety of others on the road, he or she may be accused of reckless driving. The exact violations may vary from state-to-state, but in Texas, reckless driving is usually considered to be the “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property” (Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 545.401 (2016).

It is important to note that an individual may be charged with reckless driving on public or private property, not just on public roadways. While a person may face criminal charges including traffic tickets, fines, and even jail time if convicted for reckless driving, they also may be held liable for injuries and damage they cause if they are involved in an accident.

Responsibility for injuries caused by reckless driving is a separate matter from criminal charges. In other words, even if a driver isn’t found guilty of a reckless driving violation, they can still be held financially responsible for the damage caused.

Reckless driving can lead to serious injury accidents, especially if the person behind the wheel was:

  • Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Speeding
  • Failing to maintain a safe driving distance (tailgating)
  • Street racing
  • Disregarding traffic signals or stop signs
  • Crossing the double-yellow line on a two-lane highway or using shoulders to pass vehicles on the road
  • Passing a school bus that was stopped with lights flashing
  • Purposely failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other cars
  • Running from or evading the police
  • Failing to use turn signals
  • Texting while driving

It is important to note that texting while driving is a serious concern in many jurisdictions in Texas, law enforcement is on the lookout for other distractions as well that can contribute to reckless driving accidents. These distractions include:

  • Checking email, social media posting, or surfing the web on mobile devices
  • Eating food or consuming beverages behind the wheel
  • Applying makeup or other grooming efforts in the vehicle
  • Using navigation systems or apps while driving
  • Watching in-vehicle video screens

If a person is distracted behind the wheel and causes a serious injury accident, they may be held liable for their actions through a personal injury lawsuit.

What Type of Compensation Can I Seek Following a Reckless Driving Accident?

Injured individuals, their families, and the close relatives of people killed in a car crash caused by reckless driving may be eligible to pursue legal action against the responsible driver. Injured individuals may be able to secure financial compensation for:

  • Hospital bills and medical expenses
  • Physical therapy
  • Lost wages and out-of-pocket costs
  • Loss of the ability to work and support oneself and one’s family
  • Pain and suffering

If you lost a close relative due to the reckless and negligent actions of another driver, you might wish to take action to right this devastating wrong. The spouse, parents, or dependents of a person killed by a reckless driver may be entitled to compensation for their loss, including:

  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Funeral expenses
  • Emotional suffering and distress

Only an experienced attorney can tell you what actions you can take and what the other driver may be held liable for following an accident. That’s why it is important to turn to a legal team that has the knowledge, resources, and the trust of you and your family to handle your claim.

How Is Negligence Determined in Reckless Driving Cases?

A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can investigate the facts of your case and determine if the other driver may have acted recklessly or negligently. Often, a police report, witness statements, and the testimony of the drivers involved may shed light on the person’s actions.

If the individual failed to obey the rules of the road or failed to operate his or her car in a responsible manner that is expected of all drivers, he or she may be found to be reckless or negligent. If negligence can be proven, that driver – and his or her insurance company – may be compelled to compensate those whose lives they affected by their reckless driving.

Types of Injury Cases We Handle

A reckless driver can alter the lives of other drivers and passengers on the road in an instant. A mere distraction or a larger issue like driving under the influence or racing can cause a devastating collision and serious injuries to those involved.

The attorneys of Burch Law Firm are prepared to help you if a reckless driver caused a:

  • Head-on collision
  • Rear-end collision
  • Side-impact collision
  • Rollover accident
  • Hit-and-run

We are prepared to help you if a reckless driver has hurt you. Following a serious injury accident, we understand that you may have many questions about the legal process, and we are prepared to help answer any questions that you and your family may have.

We understand that the healing process takes time, and we strongly believe that you should not have to worry about paperwork, stress about money, or be concerned with the legal process while you are in recovery. Let us handle the legal process and the paperwork on your behalf while you rest, recover, and focus on putting your life back together.

Contact a New Braunfels Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

Following an accident caused by a reckless driver, you are undoubtedly feeling many different emotions. Anger, confusion, frustration, and many different feelings are natural and accompany a serious injury accident. We are here to help you understand the process and your rights as a victim. We aim to provide a ray of hope during this difficult time for both you and your family members.

Contact a member of our team today by phone or online to discuss the details of your case with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. We are available on evenings and weekends, and we are available to visit you in the hospital if you cannot make it in to see us in our office.

Before you hire a personal injury attorney, make sure to read testimonials from real, satisfied clients, and make sure you are hiring a firm that will give your case the dedication and attention that it deserves.

At Burch Law Firm, we are committed to helping you with your case, and we are always ready to explain the process and help in any way we can. Call us, contact us through our website’s contact form, or chat with us live to find out why our firm may be the right choice to help you if you have been injured by a reckless driver.

Remember, the consultation is free, so there is absolutely no cost to you to discuss the details of your case with us. We are ready to help you put the pieces of your life together after an accident, so contact us today with no obligation.