Yes, reckless driving can cause a side-impact accident. Whether a driver is angry or frustrated due to personal reasons, distracted while on a phone call, or irritated due to traffic conditions, reckless driving is inexcusable. It puts other road users at risk of getting hurt in an accident.
Suppose you or your loved one suffered injuries in a side-impact accident caused by reckless driving. In that case, our car accident lawyers are ready to discuss what happened to you, review your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Is Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving is disregard for other people’s safety on the road. It includes many types of behaviors, including:
- Road rage: Aggressive drivers express their anger by yelling at other drivers, making offensive or threatening gestures, excessively honking their horns, or distracting other motorists.
- Violation of traffic rules: Reckless drivers show blatant disregard for road rules. Typical behaviors include tailgating, frequent change of lanes, running red lights, passing on the wrong side, and speeding.
Other reckless driving behaviors include:
- Driving under the influence of substances
- Slamming on breaks on the last minute
- Taking turns too quickly
All of the above behaviors can result in a car crash, causing physical injury or a loss of life.
Reckless Driving Can Cause a Side-Impact Accident
Reckless driving can cause a side-impact accident in various ways. For example, if a driver fails to stop at red lights, they could cause a T-bone crash with another car traveling in the intersection. A driver who recklessly swerves in and out of traffic lanes could also strike the side of another vehicle traveling in the same direction.
Other ways in which reckless driving can cause side-impact crashes include:
- Speeding
- Weather conditions
- Failure to yield when merging into a highway
Steps to Take After a Side-Impact Accident with a Reckless Driver
If you were involved in side-impact accident due to a reckless driver’s actions, take these steps:
Call 911 and Law Enforcement
If you were in a car accident involving a reckless driver, the first thing you want to do is contact 911 to dispatch the emergency response team. Also, call the police to the scene of the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Even when the injuries seem minor after a crash, you want to seek prompt medical attention. Some injuries may seem minor at first, but they may grow more serious as time persists. For instance, according to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can show a few days or weeks after the accident.
Head to the nearest emergency room to get checked. The doctor can start treating you right away. Furthermore, medical documentation is crucial when filing your claim against the insurance companies.
Collect Information at the Scene of the Accident
The police will come and complete a report. While that is a crucial piece of evidence, it is best to gather as much information as possible. Some other information you can document include:
- The location, time of the accident, the road conditions, and the weather conditions
- Any reckless driving behaviors that you believe may have contributed to the accident. Such behaviors include activities such as speeding, swerving, tailgating, and more.
- Contact information of all drivers involved in the acceded and their insurance information
- The license plate of the vehicles involved
- Photos of the scene, including the state of the vehicles after the accident
- Photos of any visible bodily injury at the scene
Reckless drivers could be angry, which is why you should remain calm and engage them with caution. It could be best to stay in your car until the police arrive. Use your judgment to exercise reasonable care and ensure your safety.
Keep all Bills and Receipts
To be eligible for compensation, you must provide documentation that shows the other driver was reckless, their recklessness caused the accident, and you suffered as a result.
Possible recoverable damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage costs
- Disfigurement
- Loss of future earning capacity
If your loved one lost their life in a side-impact accident due to reckless driving, you could seek wrongful death compensation.
Start Working With a Side-Impact Accident Attorney on Our Team Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a reckless driving accident, do not hesitate to contact our team. We can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and build a case for compensation.
Reach out to George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers to get more information about your legal options in a free consultation.