Reckless driving is a serious problem on New Jersey roads, characterized by behaviors such as speeding, aggressive driving, and disregarding traffic laws. These actions not only endanger the driver but also put other road users at significant risk. Accidents caused by reckless driving can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities, often leaving victims and their families facing both physical and emotional trauma. The unpredictable nature of such incidents makes legal guidance essential for those affected.
At Nagel Rice LLP, our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience representing victims of reckless driving accidents in New Jersey. With over 30 years of advocacy, our team has secured over $1 billion in damages for our clients, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to justice. From our offices in New Jersey & New York, we are dedicated to helping those impacted by reckless driving, ensuring they receive the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses incurred from the accident.
What Qualifies as a Reckless Driving Car Accident in New Jersey?
While everyone makes mistakes, reckless drivers show a complete disregard for traffic signals, speed limits, and human life, putting their desire to rush, weave among other cars, or text above the health and well-being of others on the road.
Types of Reckless Driving Car Accidents
Reckless drivers include those who:
- Tailgate, leaving too little space between their own car and the car in front of them
- Fail to come to a full stop at red lights, stop signs or stopped school buses
- Frequently exceed the speed limit by a wide margin
- Brake abruptly
- Make illegal turns or lane changes or fail to use signals when turning or changing lanes
- Drive under the influence of drugs (street drugs or prescribed medications) or alcohol.
- Drive while distracted by texting, talking, eating, fiddling with dials or mirrors
- Fail to use headlights at night or in bad weather
- Drive while physically exhausted or sleepy
Drivers who engage in these behaviors put themselves, their passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians in danger. Though they risk traffic tickets, heavy fines, community service, losing their driving privileges, and even, in some cases, incarceration, the worst risk they take is causing severe injury or wrongful death.
Why You Need a New Jersey Reckless Driving Accident Attorney
Serious injuries don’t just disable you physically. Depending on what type of injury you have suffered, they also fog your mind. Pain, psychological trauma, and strong medication often make it difficult to think clearly. If you want to win the damages you deserve, you need a sharp car accident attorney who has the legal savvy and agility to protect your rights.
After a reckless driving accident in which you have been seriously harmed, the insurance company involved will try to make you a settlement offer that is far too low. If you’re not careful to seek proper legal guidance, you and your family may be taken advantage of.
Once we take on your case, we will review all pertinent police reports and medical data. We will check out the site of the accident and the damage to the vehicles. We will also interview witnesses and consult with automotive, engineering, and medical experts as necessary to clarify our findings. If need be, such experts will be asked to testify in court on your behalf. We will also find out whether the other driver has a past history of reckless driving or other reckless behavior — either of which will bolster our case.
Common Injuries Caused by Reckless Drivers
A great many types of injuries result from car accidents caused by reckless drivers, including:
- Back and neck injuries (e.g. whiplash, herniated discs)
- Bone fractures
- Concussion, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Hemorrhage
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Organ damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Spinal cord injuries that cause paralysis (paraplegia /quadriplegia)
- Wrongful death
Any serious reckless driver injury will incapacitate you for some time, leaving you unable to work or enjoy your life. At best, you may require medical treatment, rest and rehabilitation. At worst, if you survive, you may be permanently incapacitated and need round-the-clock long-term care. The compassionate reckless driving car accident attorney at Nagel Rice will fight for you and your loved ones to see to it that your future, and theirs, is protected.
Damages Nagel Rice Will Fight To Win You in New Jersey
You can depend on our skilled car accident attorneys to vigorously defend your right to damages for any and all of the following that apply in your case:
- Medical, surgical, and rehabilitative costs
- Lost income (present and future)
- Property damages
- Home healthcare
- Psychological counseling
- Alterations to your home to make it accessible to you
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you are dealing with the family tragedy of a wrongful death, we will help you to obtain damages to cover funeral costs, lost future financial and emotional support, as well as final medical expenses.
Punitive damages, that are only awarded in cases of especially egregious misconduct may be awarded in cases of reckless driving because of the defendant’s blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of others.
Contact Our Reckless Driving Car Accident Lawyers in New Jersey & New York
Our experience with personal injury law has given us great empathy for what you are going through. We know all too well how much a serious injury impacts not only the victim, but the whole family. This may be the most challenging period you have ever gone through, physically, emotionally, and financially. Don’t try to go it alone. Call on our car accident attorneys and let us take over your legal and insurance matters so you can focus on recovering.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients with their car accident and injury claims throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York.