Drivers who reach excessive speeds, make aggressive lane changes, or tailgate can be charged with Reckless Driving in California, a misdemeanor.
When their irresponsible actions cause accidents, reckless motorists can also be held liable for a victim’s medical bills, the cost to replace a car, and lost time at work.
Unfortunately, insurance companies for bad drivers will do everything possible to avoid responsibility, and can even try to blame you.
To find out how to protect your case and earn the most in compensation, you can contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a free consultation. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real Bakersfield car accident attorney.
Reckless Driver Dangers and California Laws
Reckless driving dangers can take many forms, but almost all examples can be spotted on any drive during Bakerfield’s rush hours. Drivers can hit the gas on White Lane to put any nearby motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists at risk. Motorists on Route 58 can follow other cars too closely, making stop-and-start traffic in construction zones more dangerous.
These are a few examples of reckless driving locally:
- Speeding or going too fast for conditions (e.g., not slowing down in rain or fog, or for traffic jams)
- Tailgating
- Racing other vehicles
- Brake checking
- Driving too slowly and causing accident risks
- Running red lights or stop signs
A Bakersfield police officer’s judgment can be used in any situation to deem any conduct that endangers other motorists as reckless.
California Vehicle Codes (CVC) go over the responsibility of drivers to avoid reckless behavior.
(a) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
The law also details how drivers in parking lots can be charged with reckless behavior.
The Punishment: A misdemeanor reckless driving charge can result in a fine between $145 and $1,000 (that’s not including expensive court fees). A conviction can come with up to 2 points on a driver’s license. A jail sentence of not less than 5 days and no more than 90 days could be included.
Reckless drivers can also see their insurance premiums make a leap. Especially if a reckless action caused an accident. The insurer could be responsible for the victim’s recovery costs. That should include the pain victims must endure and the emotional trauma a frightening accident and a difficult recovery cause.
Winning a Reckless Driving Case in California
Drivers may face criminal proceedings after a reckless driving charge, but accident victims don’t have to wait for the outcome of a hearing or trial to seek support. They can file a civil claim whenever they are ready to demand compensation. The two cases would be resolved separately.
Unfortunately, compensation isn’t automatic, and car insurance companies can try to poke holes in any case. They may have their adjusters look for ways to turn the blame around on an innocent victim. They may claim their driver wasn’t being reckless. They may claim the victim’s injuries aren’t all that serious, and therefore won’t require a lot of medical care and expense.
The best way to fight back is for victims to file strong cases, backed with evidence that can’t be denied. But it can be difficult for victims to secure the evidence they need, especially while they are injured.
An experienced attorney helps victims round up all evidence to show the reckless behavior that caused a crash:
- Your lawyer would fully investigate your accident and the driver involved
- Your lawyer would gather all witness testimony (with help from any witness contact information victims secured at the scene)
- Your lawyer gathers evidence from the scene and the wrecked vehicles (this might include powerful photos victims took in the moments after an accident)
- Your lawyer would request any surveillance video showing the accident or the driver’s reckless behavior before the collision
- Your lawyer would examine a driver’s social media to see if any posts indicated the driver’s intent
- Your lawyer can also bring in very thorough accident reconstruction teams to show how an accident unfolded
Once your case is backed with the necessary evidence, your attorney submits your claim. The frustrating parts of the claims process are handled so that you can focus on rebuilding your life. You can put your mind at ease as Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers battles to get you the maximum support for your recovery. This is support to last until you are 100% back on your feet physically and financially. It’s often much more than you could secure on your own.
We Back Your Case with Powerful Evidence and Fight to Earn You More
If you have a serious injury, and a driver’s reckless moves caused your accident, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a free consultation. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real Bakersfield attorney.
Your full recovery becomes our number one mission. We don’t stop fighting until you are 100% healed and have the money you need to restore your normal life.
We also understand that right after a hospital stay and lost time at work, you may not have the money to hire a lawyer. But don’t worry, you can still afford great representation. We only get paid if we win your case for you. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurance company writes for you.