Everyone should be able to drive safely on Gainesville roads. When someone that is driving recklessly violates your rights, you are entitled to hold the driver accountable for any damages their negligent behavior caused.
At H Groves Law Firm, we have a team of experienced Gainesville reckless driving accident lawyers that can help you obtain compensation for your lost income, medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Our highly-experienced car accident lawyers in Gainesville, GA are here to assist you in building a strong case and answer any questions you may have along the way.
What Is Reckless Driving?
Under Georgia law, the term “reckless driving,” is defined broadly as when a driver operates a “vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of property or persons.” Here is a list of the actions that often qualify as “reckless driving” in Gainesville.
- Driving aggressively
- Distracted driving (texting or talking on a phone while driving)
- Racing
- Speeding
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Swerving
How Can Reckless Driving Increase the Chances of an Accident?
It is often the reckless actions and bad decisions of careless drivers that can result in devastating and life-threatening car crashes. Here are a few of the common habits of reckless drivers that can result in accidents.
Speeding
Speeding can result in accidents since the driver has far less control over their vehicle. It is also harder to maneuver a vehicle that is going too fast around an obstacle or to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Distracted Driving
Texting or talking on the phone while driving has turned into a significant problem over the last few years. Distracted drivers are more susceptible to causing accidents since they are not as attentive to their surroundings and the road they are driving on.
Running or Ignoring Red Lights
Running a red light, especially at a busy intersection, is very dangerous and can very likely result in an accident.
Not Using Turn Signals
Failing to use a turn signal that lets other drivers know when you plan to turn or change lanes can also lead to accidents.
Tailgating
Tailgating does not leave sufficient space for the driver to brake if there is an emergency. This bad habit is the leading cause of rear-end collisions.
Aggressive Driving or Road Rage
Drivers that honk or shout at other drivers are displaying road rage or aggressive signs of driving. Angry drivers often make unwise decisions that can lead to accidents.
What Damages Can Victims Get from a Car Accident in Gainesville, GA?
If you are involved in an accident that someone else caused and your car is damaged or you sustained injuries you might be entitled to file a claim for the damages.
Car accidents in Gainesville follow what is known as a fault-based system, meaning that the person that has caused the car crash (or their insurer) will be held responsible to pay the damages. This may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
This will cover your direct financial losses caused by the collision. This includes medical expenses, repair or loss of your vehicle, and loss of income. This allows you to collect all the costs due to the accident in the present and future.
Non-Economic Damages
There isn’t a set formula to establish how much a victim is owed when working out non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, disfigurement, or permanent disabilities.
Punitive Damages
These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and are only awarded if the defendant’s behavior was malicious or especially reckless. Georgia law normally caps punitive damages at $250,000, but this doesn’t apply if the defendant’s judgment was “substantially impaired” by alcohol or drugs.
How Can I Prove the Other Driver Was Behaving Recklessly?
The success of all personal injury claims will hinge on verifying that someone else was negligent and caused your accident and injuries. The evidence that often supports reckless driving accident claims includes:
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Dashcam footage and/ or videos and photos from the scene of the accident
- Police accident report
- Bills, estimates, and receipts for replacement or repair of property that is damaged
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Gainesville, GA?
For a personal injury claim, you will have 2 years from your accident date to file your reckless driving claim in Georgia. The deadline is known as “the statute of limitations.” It is vital that your claim is filed before this statute of limitation has expired. Missing this deadline may mean that you will not qualify for compensation.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Many insurance carriers look for any reason to drastically minimize your settlement or even get out of paying for reckless driving accidents. Adjusters have extensive training when it comes to using several tactics to drive your settlement down.
When you are faced with this situation, you will benefit from the services of a professional Gainesville reckless driving accident lawyer. Our team at H Groves Law will represent you in settlement negotiations and stop the insurance provider from taking advantage of the situation.
We will also prepare your case, and fight hard to make sure you receive the compensation that you deserve. We are ready to fight for you in court if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Hiring car accident lawyers can turn into a costly exercise. And since most victims of car accidents are usually not able to afford the services of a lawyer, the thought of retaining such services often throws a lot of people off.
Fortunately, the professional legal team at H Groves Law in Gainesville, GA works on a contingency basis. This means you will have an expert lawyer representing your case without you needing to pay anything until they win your case.
Review Your Claim With Our Gainesville Reckless Driving Accident Lawyers!
If you have sustained injuries due to a result of a reckless driving accident, H Groves Law is here to help you. We look forward to reviewing your case and answering any concerns or questions that you might have during your no-obligation, free consultation.
Call us today at (770) 329-1868, to find out how our law firm near Gainesville, GA can help you go after the compensation that you rightly deserve.
