Statistical findings by the DOT showed that about 301 Americans died in auto accidents in 2001 in the state of Connecticut (CT). This translates to a 21% increase in fatalities when compared to the previous year. A considerable number of Connecticut car accidents have been attributed to reckless and aggressive driving.
Negligent and irresponsible drivers often fail to observe traffic rules and safety laws, which can cause innocent road users to suffer. If you or your loved one suffered an injury due to the actions of a reckless driver, you may be eligible for compensation.
Get to know what reckless driving means in Connecticut and the types of damages you can claim. This guide will also help you learn how you can prove liability in reckless driving and Connecticut car accident cases.
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Criminal charges can be brought up in Connecticut car accidents, if the driver was reckless. Even so, you need to file a civil lawsuit to claim compensation for your auto accident injuries. Get to know what reckless driving entails, the damages you can recover, and how to prove that the at-fault driver was reckless.
What is Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving refers to conscious and deliberate indifference or disregard for the substantial, unjustifiable, and unreasonable risk of harm to others. Reckless driving is considered to be a conscious and intentional choice under Connecticut law.
In this regard, a reckless driver makes a conscious and intentional decision that presents a grave danger to other road users. Here are a few examples of driver conduct that may be considered to be recklessness:
- Driving at Excessive Speeds – traveling at speeds higher than 85 miles an hour (MPH) on Connecticut highways may be considered to be recklessness.
- Racing – some thrill-seekers may choose to race their vehicles down the road, either by themselves or with other motorists. By doing so, they pose an unnecessary risk of harm to other road users, hence may be considered to be reckless.
- Ignoring Traffic Laws – blatant disregard for traffic laws and regulations may also pose a risk to other motorists and pedestrians. For instance, weaving in and out of lanes may be considered to be reckless driving in Connecticut.
- Passing Other Vehicles on a Blind Curve – drivers, in almost all states, are not allowed to cross a solid yellow line marking on the road. As such, a driver crossing a solid yellow line to pass another vehicle may be considered to be reckless.
If a driver caused your injuries under such a scenario, you can charge them with reckless driving. If the at-fault motorist is found to be guilty of reckless driving, you may be entitled to double or even triple the damages you would recover in an ordinary Connecticut car accident claim.
Schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury team.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Connecticut Reckless Driving Claim?
Reckless driving is a criminal offense in Connecticut and many other states. This means that the offense can be prosecuted by the state. Even so, you can also file a separate civil case against the reckless driver if you were injured in a reckless driving auto crash.
You can recover compensation for your suffering and injuries from the at-fault reckless driver through this civil lawsuit. With the help of the best auto accident attorneys in Connecticut, you can successfully recover multiple damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and loss in earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
How Can You Prove Reckless Driving and Connecticut Car Accidents?
To get compensated for the injuries you sustained in a reckless driving auto accident, you first need to prove that the accused driver was at fault. A motorist that causes an accident due to reckless driving is likely to face criminal charges in Connecticut.
A conviction in the criminal case can aid your auto accident claim civil case but does not guarantee that you will get fair compensation. To successfully claim damages in a reckless driving car accident claim, you have to prove that the at-fault motorist was actually negligent.
Just as is the circumstance of personal injury cases, you also need to prove that the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care. Secondly, you need to prove that a breach of the duty of care by the responsible party led to the accident and caused your injuries.
To achieve this, you need to accomplish the following:
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Demonstrate that the at-fault driver had an obligation to operate their vehicle responsibly
- Show that the at-fault driver was negligent and how – You need to prove that the motorist was doing something reckless when the accident occurred, such as making drastic life changes, speeding, or tailgating your vehicle.
- Establish a link between the reckless driver’s negligence and your injuries – Show how the reckless motorist’s disregard for safety led to your injuries. For instance, you could use witness testimony or traffic camera footage to prove that the at-fault driver’s recklessness caused the Connecticut car accident that impacted your injuries.
- Prove that you suffered losses as a result of the auto accident – demonstrate that you incurred losses—both financial and nonfinancial—as a result of the reckless driving Connecticut auto accident. Losses, in this case, include the medical expenses you incurred or will incur as well as the emotional suffering and physical pain you endured following the auto accident.
The circumstances surrounding every car accident are different. As such, each reckless driving crash claim is unique. In most cases, you need a certain level of expertise and experience in the field to successfully prove liability and claim fair compensation in such cases.
This being the case, it is highly advisable for you to hire a car accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in Connecticut traffic laws. Contact us today to schedule a free reckless driving accident case evaluation.
Final Verdict
Have you or your loved one suffered serious injury or loss as a result of a car, motorcycle, or truck accident caused by a reckless driver? All you need to do is prove that the at-fault driver was reckless and you may recover twice the value of the damages you would recover in an ordinary car accident claim.
This is where we come in. At Jonathan Perkins, we have some of the best auto accident attorneys in Connecticut. Get in touch with us to optimize your recovery if your injuries were caused by a reckless driver. We will even evaluate your case free of charge.
