What should an accident victim do after being injured by a reckless driver in Florida?

Boca Raton, FL – Some car accidents are caused by drivers who are clearly breaking the law and putting others in danger. If someone is driving recklessly and they cause a crash, they may face both criminal charges and civil lawsuits, as well as insurance consequences such as increased coverage costs. Anyone hurt by the driver will be helped by the fact that there is strong evidence of negligence based on their driving and any related traffic offenses. Attorneys who focus on car accident cases will be able to use this kind of evidence to help in settlement negotiations or at trial. 

What is reckless driving under Florida law?

The Florida statutes define reckless driving as operating a vehicle in such a way that shows a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of people and property nearby. Anyone who is convicted will have a second degree misdemeanor on their record, which means that reckless driving is a criminal offense under Florida law. The suspect can spend as much as ninety days in jail, pay several hundred dollars in fines, and serve six months of probation for a first offense. Someone with prior convictions, or a driver who causes bodily injuries or property damage while driving recklessly can face more severe penalties as well. 

After the accident

The driver should remain at the scene and contact the police and notify them regarding the driver’s behavior. When it is safe to do so, the victim should also contact their insurance company and inform them about all the relevant details of the crash. It is likely that the police will start an investigation, generate an accident report, and possibly arrest the driver if there is evidence of their illegal driving. The report made by the police may be an important piece of evidence if there is a lawsuit. 

Suing the driver responsible

The victim can contact a local attorney to try to make the driver or their insurance company pay for all losses associated with the crash. If there is strong evidence of negligence such as a traffic law violation, this may be beneficial to the victim in their lawsuit. The fact that the driver was cited for reckless driving shows that they breached the standard duty of care expected of all drivers, which satisfies the first two elements of negligence. 

Getting more information after an accident

Accident attorneys are available to help people who have been injured in the Boca Raton area. The Law Offices of Jeffrey. A Rosenberg is a trusted firm that assists local clients with the process to receive compensation. 

Firm contact info:

The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Rosenberg

5255 North Federal Highway, 3rd Floor, Boca Raton, Florida 33487

561-508-8800

rosenberginjurylaw.com