Anyone who has experienced a car accident knows that they can be a real hardship. The repercussions of an accident have a significant impact on a person. When the victim of the accident was your child, the entire family will be impacted. This is especially true if the child has been injured. A parent will likely have to take time away from their job to care for their injured child. Not only is this a hefty responsibility, it can be incredibly difficult to take care of your child, especially if they are suffering. You probably want the person who has harmed your child to pay for their actions. An attorney can be helpful by educating you in the process of taking legal action, the consequences for the responsible party, and the process for obtaining compensation.
Reckless Driving
When a person is reckless, it means that they have a complete disregard for their actions and how it may have had an impact on others. When a person engages in reckless driving, it means that they are behaving in an unsafe manner while driving behind the wheel. Reckless driving is incredibly dangerous and puts all who encounter a reckless driver at risk for being harmed. Examples of reckless driving include:
- Texting while driving
- Driving too fast (more than 25 miles over the speed limit)
- Passing cars when it is unsafe
- Driving the wrong way on the highway
- Drunk Driving
- Ignoring traffic signs and lights
The list can go on as there are various actions that can be considered reckless driving. Unfortunately, someone’s careless and irresponsible behavior behind the wheel can change the lives of victims and their loved ones forever.
Consequences for the Reckless Driving
Victims and their families may have some piece of mind knowing that reckless driving can come with penalties. Depending on the details of the accident and the specific type of reckless behavior that the driver was engaged in, the penalties for reckless driving may vary. A person charged with reckless driving may be forced to face the following:
- Fines
- Suspended License
- Jail or Prison Time
- Probation
These consequences are highly contingent upon the details surrounding the accident. In some situations, the state may even choose to bring forth criminal charges. It’s important to note that criminal charges are a process separate from a lawsuit in civil claims court.
Punitive Damages
As a victim of a car accident, punitive damages are a way of hitting someone where it hurts, their pocketbook. Punitive damages are in place for the purpose of making the driver pay for their actions. An attorney will be helpful in determining if you should request punitive damages in your lawsuit as it’s largely contingent upon the specifics surrounding an accident. Usually in cases involving reckless driving or gross negligence, it may be possible to collect damages of this nature.
When a child is harmed from a car accident, their young life may be impacted forever. There are a number of emotional and physical issues they will contend with when faced with a traumatic car accident. Consult with a top car accident lawyer residents trust today to learn how you may be able to take action in the name of your child.