As the nation’s capital, Washington DC is known for its monuments, museums, and halls of government. However, the city is also known for its high number of car accidents and steadily rising traffic fatality rate. Reckless driving (or driving with a willful or deliberate disregard for the safety of others) serves as one of the leading reasons for these crashes and for the millions of dollars in medical costs and other expenses they produce.
Because reckless driving is a gross violation of a motorist’s duty of care, injured parties in these accidents typically can sue the at-fault driver to recover the losses they have needlessly suffered, including their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To discuss the specific facts of your case and learn more about your rights and options, contact us today at Marks & Harrison and speak with an experienced Washington DC personal injury lawyer in a free consultation.
Reasons to Choose Our Reckless Driving Accident Attorneys
Our firm’s history spans more than 100 years. We have 30 highly experienced personal injury attorneys serving Virginia, Maryland, and the DC area, and an established track record of successful claims. We have recovered millions for our injured clients while cultivating a reputation as an effective and efficient legal force that will use every available strategy to fight for our clients.
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“My lawyer [was a] knowledgeable, professional, yet compassionate lawyer! She work[ed] diligently to get all the information needed for my case. Thank you so much, Marks & Harrison law team!”
— Cherry, J.
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Most importantly, at Marks & Harrison, we have compassion and empathy for injury victims. A severe injury from a reckless driving crash can completely alter your life. Some people or insurers might try to dismiss your injuries or, even worse, blame you for them. Our attorneys recognize these difficulties and offer a client-focused approach that centers on our clients’ concerns and desires. We cannot turn back time and undo your injuries, but we can work aggressively to pursue the compensation you need to recover.
What Is Reckless Driving and How Can It Cause Car Crashes?
Under DC law, reckless (or aggressive) driving happens when someone operates a motor vehicle at 20 miles per hour (mph) greater than the speed limit or with conscious disregard for causing property damage or harm to others. Reckless driving is a more severe violation than negligent driving. It involves intentional action rather than careless or unintentional action. The offense can carry criminal penalties like fines and incarceration of up to a year for a third conviction within two years.
A person is guilty of aggravated reckless driving if they traveled 30 mph over the speed limit. A person can also be guilty of aggravated reckless driving if they traveled 20 mph over the speed limit and either caused bodily injury, collided with another vehicle, or caused more than $1,000 in property damage. A third conviction of this crime within two years can result in up to two years in prison.
Several aggressive or inattentive driving behaviors could amount to reckless driving, depending on the severity of the violation, including:
- Speeding
- Tailgating and following too closely
- Incorrectly passing cars
- Swerving or weaving between traffic
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Driving through red lights or stop signs
- Operating a motor vehicle without complete control
- Driving a vehicle overloaded with cargo
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Racing with other vehicles.
What Types of Accidents Happen Due to Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving contributes to a wide range of accidents in Washington DC. Examples of reckless driving crashes include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Pedestrian and cyclist crashes.
Reckless driving can also cause extensive property damage, such as when a driver strikes a fixed object or nearby building.
What Are Some Injuries Caused by Reckless Driving in DC?
Reckless driving involves more aggressive driving behaviors than just negligent driving and, in turn, can result in serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries that occur in reckless driving crashes are:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries and bruises
- Lacerations and cuts
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Burns or abrasions
- Facial injury
- Hearing damage
- Internal injuries and organ damage
How Do You Prove Who Is Responsible for a Reckless Driving Car Crash?
To establish that someone caused your crash due to reckless or careless driving, your car accident attorney at Marks & Harrison can collect and review evidence about the accident. The relevant evidence may include photos, video recordings, eyewitness accounts, and police accident reports.
Your attorney may also obtain a car’s GPS data to determine whether the at-fault driver was excessively speeding when the accident occurred. If the at-fault driver was an employee working when they caused the crash, your attorney could investigate the company and collect evidence illustrating how the company’s unsafe training or hiring practices contributed to the accident.
What Sort of Damages Could I Seek for a Reckless Driver Accident?
If you suffered an injury in a reckless driving accident in DC, you may be eligible to sue the at-fault driver and seek just compensation for your losses, which could include money for:
- Medical bills and continuing medical expenses
- Lost wages, benefits, or bonuses from missing work
- Reduced work capacity due to disability
- Physical pain and conscious suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment.
Washington DC has a contributory negligence standard for personal injury cases. The law prohibits injury victims in auto accidents who share fault for the crash from recovering damages. However, DC’s contributory negligence laws have a specific exception for motor vehicle collisions that involve vulnerable users of highways and sidewalks, such as pedestrians or cyclists. Shared negligence should not bar you from recovering compensation if you are a vulnerable user and a reckless driver strikes you.
How Our DC Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
A reckless driving accident can cause serious injuries and have drastic and far-reaching consequences in your life. But you don’t have to handle your case alone. The attorneys at Marks & Harrison can provide the legal and emotional support you need during this difficult time, protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies, and aggressively seek the compensation you deserve. We will take the lead in investigating your accident claim and build a strong case to prove the at-fault driver’s liability and demonstrate the extent of your injuries. We are skilled litigators and will never down when defending our clients’ rights and interests. Call our Washington DC office or contact us online for a free consultation.
