A reckless driver can cause a lot of damage. If you were hurt in a crash with someone who did not make an effort to share the road safely, you may be owed compensation. A Monmouth County car accident lawyer from our firm can help you make your claim and hold an irresponsible driver accountable.
What Can Be Considered Reckless Driving?
This isn’t a case of just making a simple mistake and getting into an accident. Reckless driving is conduct that endangers everyone else on the road, whether they’re a pedestrian or another driver. Some common bad behaviors include:
- Aggressive lane changes
- Excessive speeding
- Tailgating
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Failing to yield
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Street racing
Can I Sue a Reckless Driver for Punitive Damages?
You may be able to. The awards in most personal injury cases are compensatory damages. These are, as the name implies, there to compensate you for what you have experienced. Your settlement or verdict addresses the economic costs, like lost wages and medical expenses, along with the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the crash.
Punitive damages are only on the table when someone’s actions have been particularly egregious or hazardous. A reckless driver could fall into this category. If their behavior was dangerous enough, it may be possible to pursue these kinds of damages. There is a cap for them in New Jersey, but they can add significantly to the total amount of awarded damages.
What Kinds of Evidence Can Help With My Case?
If you want to show that reckless driving caused your injuries, you’ll need evidence. Some items that can help include:
- Pictures of the accident scene
- The police report from the crash
- Witness testimony
- Medical records and bills
- A defendant’s criminal conviction for reckless driving or a similar crime
- Video of the crash
- Testimony from expert witnesses
How Long Do I Have to Sue For Damages?
New Jersey gives you two years to take legal action after an accident. File a claim or try to sue after this statute of limitations expires and your case will probably be thrown out. This can seem like a long time, but you can be surprised at how quickly the days and weeks can pass by as you try to recover from your injuries.
That’s why we recommend talking to a lawyer from our firm. You can focus on your recovery while we focus on your case and getting the legal process started. We don’t want you to miss your chance to claim compensation.
Contact Our Law Firm
When you are ready to hold a reckless driver accountable for their actions, we want to help. Call Falcon Law Firm and ask about our free case consultations. We can tell you more about your legal options and what an attorney can do to help.
