What Is Reckless Driving in Texas?
Reckless drivers endanger others and cause serious car accidents. Texas has laws regarding reckless driving, and the punishments can be harsh. Knowing these laws can help drivers avoid problems and help victims of accidents know what to do after a crash.
If you were injured by a negligent driver, a Texas car accident lawyer can help you learn your legal options.
What counts as reckless driving in Texas?
Reckless driving is defined under Texas law as driving with “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of persons or property. In simple terms, it means the driver knew what they were doing was dangerous but chose to ignore the risk.
Not every traffic violation is a reckless driving offense. A person usually has to do something aggressive or wildly unsafe. Police officers often look at the whole situation when deciding whether or not to charge someone with reckless driving.
Common examples of conduct that may support a reckless driving charge in Texas include speeding, weaving through traffic, running red lights, tailgating other cars, and street racing. If a driver was purposefully ignoring traffic laws or driving while distracted in such a way that they created a serious danger to others through a willful or wanton disregard for safety, they can be charged with reckless driving.
You can still be cited for reckless driving even if you aren’t in an accident. If police believe you endangered others through willful or wanton disregard for safety, you could be ticketed or arrested.
Is reckless driving a crime in Texas?
Reckless driving in Texas is more serious than a normal traffic ticket. In many cases, it is charged as a misdemeanor crime.
A conviction can create problems that follow someone long after the court is over. Some people end up paying fines or spending time in jail. It can also stay on your record, which may make certain licenses or jobs harder to get. Insurance companies may increase your rates afterward because they see reckless driving as dangerous behavior. Depending on the circumstances, a judge might impose conditions as part of probation or community supervision.
What are the penalties for reckless driving in Texas?
Under Texas law, a reckless driving conviction can lead to as much as 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $200, or both. The situation can become far more serious if somebody gets badly hurt or loses their life because of the crash. In those cases, prosecutors may bring additional criminal charges depending on the facts surrounding the accident.
In some reckless driving cases, other alleged offenses can arise. For example, a driver may also be charged with reckless driving along with racing, driving while intoxicated, or fleeing the scene of an accident.
How reckless driving causes serious accidents
A lot of reckless driving crashes happen because drivers are going too fast or ignoring traffic signals. When someone speeds or runs a red light, they have less time to slow down or avoid hitting another car.
These accidents can leave people with very serious injuries. Some victims suffer broken bones, injuries to the head, neck, or spine, burns, or internal injuries. Recovery is not always quick. Some people need surgery or months of treatment and therapy. Others may be unable to return to work for a long time or may end up with permanent health problems.
A Texas car accident lawyer can help you investigate the crash and see if you might be entitled to compensation.
Can a reckless driver be sued after an accident?
Yes, a careless driver can be held financially liable for injuries and losses caused by the accident. If you are injured in Texas, you may be entitled to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, future medical care, and other damages related to the accident.
Evidence is often very important in these kinds of cases. Police reports, eyewitness statements, pictures, footage from traffic or security cameras, medical records, and accident reconstruction reports can help show how the accident happened.
In some situations, reckless driving accidents also lend themselves to exemplary damages, which, rather than being compensatory, are meant to punish particularly dangerous conduct. Exemplary damages are rare and not necessarily available in every case.
Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts after major accidents. They may argue that the victim is actually to blame or that their injuries aren’t all that serious. This is just one of the reasons seeking legal counsel after a reckless driving accident in Texas is a good idea.
What should you do after a reckless driving accident?
After an accident, safety should come first. If you can, get to a safe place and call 911, even if you don’t believe your injuries are serious.
Take photographs of the scene of the accident, get the names and numbers of any witnesses, and keep all medical records and bills relating to the accident. Fight the instinct to apologize and don’t discuss fault at the scene. Bear in mind that some injuries can take hours or even days to manifest, so obtaining prompt medical care is essential for both your health and any subsequent legal claim.
Talk to a Texas car accident lawyer about your rights
Reckless driving accidents can leave victims with medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and emotional stress. Drivers who break safety laws can be held responsible for the damage they cause. Some victims may also need long-term medical treatment or ongoing help with daily activities after a serious crash.
If you were injured in a crash involving reckless driving in Texas, a Texas car accident lawyer may be able to help you understand your rights and pursue compensation. Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney helps injured victims after serious accidents throughout Texas. Call us or contact the firm online to schedule a consultation.
Pat Maloney, Jr. is a skilled San Antonio personal injury lawyer who has acted as lead counsel and co-counsel in many multi-million dollar verdicts throughout Texas. Pat Maloney represents people injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents and more. He is well known for his expertise in representing victims of serious personal injuries and has participated as a lecturer in the field of personal injury litigation. He has been named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” Reference Book every year for the last five years.