Reckless Driving Accident
Reckless Driving Accident
Have you experienced the road when a reckless driver was present? Maybe they were swerving out of their lane, slamming their brakes, and or speeding. Secondly, have you, or a loved one been hit by one of these drivers? The chances of you responding, ‘yes’ is unfortunately high. At Christensen & Hymas, we want you to know the signs of a reckless driver, how to prevent an accident and what to do if you have been the victim in a reckless driving accident.
Car accidents put both the victim and the person at fault in an unfortunate situation. However, when the person at fault was driving in a negligent manner, they endangered the lives of nearby drivers, which can result in a tragedy.
The state of Utah defines reckless drivers as, “operation of a vehicle in a manner that shows disregard for other drivers, pedestrians, passengers or property. Intentional disregard must culminate in three moving violations under Utah Traffic Code, Title 41, Chapter 6(a) within one episode of driving in a space of 3 miles or shorter.”
Signs Of A Possible Reckless Driving Accident
As a driver, stay aware of your surroundings, especially the behavior of surrounding cars. It can sometimes be subtle that someone is driving recklessly, but oftentimes is more obvious than not when you are paying close attention to the road. These signs can result in a reckless driving accident, which could change you and or the lives of your loved ones significantly.
Common signs of a reckless driver include:
- Driving too close behind to someone
- Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs
- Driving too fast or exceeding the speed limit
- Braking suddenly
- Not using turn signals when changing lanes or turning
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while distracted, including talking on the phone, texting, playing with the radio, or eating
- Failing to use headlights at night or in the rain
Prevention of a Reckless Driving Accident
It is not your fault if a driver near you is controlling their vehicle in a reckless manner. However, as a driver it is your responsibility to remain attentive to your surroundings, which include the cars in front, to the side and behind you. There are ways to prevent an accident caused by another person driving irresponsibly.
First, you could get away from the reckless vehicle. If you have the opportunity to take a different route, make the change in direction as quickly as possible. In addition, if possible move into a different lane. The more distance you put yourself between the reckless vehicle the better. If you have time, pull into a nearby parking lot of some sort to create distance between you and the driver.
Sometimes there might not be an available option for you to get away from this situation. Another way to prevent a reckless driving accident is to report the license plate to the police. A quick call to your local dispatch could prevent severe damage to you and other drivers. As soon as a police car finds the vehicle, they will take care of the reckless drivers irresponsible actions.
Neither of these preventable options guarantee the safety of you and other drivers. If it seems if a reckless driving accident is about to occur, stay calm and let it happen. The last thing you want to do is swerve into another vehicle. This could cause much more damage and injury than if you were to let this reckless driver hit you. It goes against our natural reaction, but if you are a victim in a reckless driving accident, you can get compensated for your injuries, pain and suffering and damages.
Contact a Utah Personal Injury Attorney
Reckless drivers need to be held responsible for the damage that they caused. Although they will face consequences for their negligence, their penalties will not help to cover the pain and suffering the victim, whether that be you or a loved one, are feeling after an accident caused by a reckless driver. At Christensen & Hymas we serve our clients with integrity and compassion. First, we offer a free consultation where we discuss your story and how we can get you on the road to recovery. Second, we connect you will our great legal resources. If we are able to take your case, we will deal with the difficult details, including the insurance company. That way you can focus on your life and moving past a reckless driving accident that was not your fault.