Fayetteville Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

Every day, more than 90 people across the country lose their lives in fatal automobile accidents. Millions of people are injured each year and a significant portion of these accidents are caused by reckless driving. If you’ve been involved in a serious accident that led to injury, then your focus going forward needs to be on recovering and returning to the life you once had. But that can be difficult to do with expensive medical bills and repairs slowing you down.

Here at Wade Law, we believe that you have the right to recover peacefully without being burdened by financial hardships. It is the responsibility of the reckless driver to pay for the damages that they have caused. If you want to ensure that you receive the compensation you are owed, then you need to work with a Fayetteville reckless driving accident lawyer every step of the way.

The expert car accident attorneys working at Wade Law have more than 6 decades worth of legal experience fighting for cases just like yours. We understand the mental and physical turmoil that is often caused by reckless drivers. We also understand how to gather evidence, negotiate claims, and fight for your rights in a court of law. Contact our legal team at 770-282-1188 for a free case review so that you can truly begin the healing process.

Table of Contents

What Is Reckless Driving?

Georgia motor vehicle law clearly defines a reckless driver as a motorist who drives with clear disregard for the safety of others or their property. Compared to other traffic violations, reckless driving is viewed as a serious offense. An individual found guilty of reckless driving can also be found guilty of a criminal misdemeanor. That conviction can lead to 12 months imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. However, that criminal fine is separate from the civil damages that our lawyers will seek on your behalf.

How Does Reckless Driving Increase the Chances of an Accident?

There are a number of dangerous driving habits that can fall under the umbrella of reckless driving. If you’ve been injured because of a reckless driver, then you already understand just how devastating these habits can be. Here are a few of the most common reckless driving practices and how they can greatly increase the chance of an accident.

Driving & Texting

Georgia is a “hands-free” driving state. That means it is illegal to read, write, or send a text message while operating a vehicle. This law extends to cover other forms of digital communication like emails, instant messages, and social media posts. This law exists because nearly 25 percent of all car accidents involve texting while driving. Studies show that texting increases the driver’s time with their eyes off of the road by as much as 400 percent.

Speeding

The state of Georgia has a strict stance against speeding with standard fines starting as low as $200. In 2016 alone, more than 10,100 traffic fatalities were caused by a driver speeding. Accidents caused by speeding cost Americans more than $40.4 billion every year.

Road Rage and Aggressive Driving

Road rage is considered a form of anger that is often caused by the frustration of driving near other motorists. It’s something that most of us have encountered at least once in our lives, but smart drivers know how to calm down and drive safely. Aggressive driving is considered a factor in almost half of motor vehicle fatalities in the state.

Distracted Driving

While texting and driving falls into this category, distracted driving involves a broad range of activities that would take the driver’s eyes and attention off of the road. Activities like eating food, operating a navigation system, or adjusting the radio can all fall into this category. Any activity that takes focus away from the act of driving will greatly increase the risk of an accident.

Man texting and driving, concept of Fayetteville reckless driving accident lawyer

Tailgating

This refers to following too closely behind a vehicle and is a very common traffic violation in Georgia. The risk is that when the vehicle in front makes a sudden stop the driver will not be able to react in time and will rear-end the leading vehicle.

Ignoring Red Lights

The importance of stop signs and red lights is one of the first things we learn as new drivers. Unfortunately, there are many reckless drivers who believe their personal judgment of the scene is more reliable. Around 28 percent of all traffic fatalities that occur at an intersection involve a driver who ignored the red light. That’s more than 700 deaths every year.

Turning Without Using Turn Signals

The number of drivers who do not properly signal their turns is alarming. Almost 3/4ths of drivers surveyed between the ages of 18 and 24 admitted that they did not consistently use their blinkers. Nationwide statistics across all age groups are significantly lower but still problematic. Without proper signaling, a serious accident is far more likely to occur.

What Damages Can Victims Get From a Car Accident in Fayetteville?

Georgia separates losses into two groups known as special and general. General damages can be recovered without specific proof of the amount while special damages must be clearly proven. Here are a few key examples:

1. Income Losses – Special

2. Disfigurement – General

3. Property Losses – Special

How Can I Prove the Other Driver Was Behaving Recklessly?

Our job as attorneys is to help prove to everyone that the driver responsible was behaving recklessly. This involves gathering as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident. It’s also why it’s important to contact our office as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to track down witnesses and gather records. A few key sources of evidence include:

Speedometer Calibration

This helps determine the accuracy of the driver’s speedometer. Drivers often use faulty speedometers as a defense in reckless driving cases. This calibration will help us overcome that defense.

Witness Testimonies

These testimonies are often a key source of evidence in reckless driving cases. We advising gathering witness names and contact information immediately following the accident.

Highway Camera or Dash Camera

Perhaps the most infallible piece of evidence is the camera. We will locate any cameras in the vicinity and scour for footage of the accident.

 

infographic for reckless driving facts

 

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Fayetteville, Georgia?

Each state sets a deadline for how long an injured party can wait before filing a claim against a third party. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. In Georgia, the statute of limitation for reckless driving claims is exactly two years. Though, our experts would never recommend waiting nearly this long. The sooner you begin filing your claim the sooner you can put this ordeal behind you.

Why Do I Need a Fayetteville Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer?

Some victims believe that they do not need a lawyer to handle their claim. Perhaps the insurance company has already offered them a settlement. We always advise taking the time to contact a lawyer even if you decide not to work with us. If an insurance company is already offering a settlement, then it is very likely you are owed a lot more. Some of the key tasks of the legal team include:

Case Preparation

This involves all of the confusing and tedious paperwork as well as collecting evidence and testimonies.

Settlement Negotiations

These negotiations always go better when there is a strong legal team arguing on your behalf.

Trial Representation

If a favorable settlement deal isn’t reached, we are prepared to fight for you in court.

Fayetteville reckless driving accident lawyer filing lawsuit

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

The good news is that you should never have to pay a dime upfront for legal representation on claims like these. Most firms, ours included, work according to a contingency basis. You will only pay us if you receive a settlement. Our payment is taken as a small percentage of that settlement. If you lose your claim, then we get nothing.

Review Your Claim With Our Fayetteville Reckless Driving Accident Lawyers

Hopefully, one day our roads will be completely free of reckless drivers. But until that day, the lawyers at Wade Law will continue to defend the victims who suffer. We will put our 60 years of legal experience to work fighting for the compensation that you know you deserve.

You have up to two years from the day of the accident to begin filing your claim. But why wait that long if there are no upfront costs or financial risks? Take a moment to contact our legal team today at 770-282-1188 to review your claim.