Reckless driving is something that can pose danger to everyone on Minnesota roads. A car accident with a driver who has no regard for anyone’s safety often results in severe, catastrophic injuries. If you were a victim, you can take certain steps to hold the offending motorist accountable.
Reckless driving explained
There are many things that constitute reckless driving. If a driver is traveling 25 miles per hour or more over the legal speed limit, it can dramatically increase the risk of a serious motor vehicle accident. Reckless drivers often ignore road rules, traffic signs and signals and engage in other risky behaviors behind the wheel such as drinking or using a hand-held phone.
In some cases, reckless driving is done to avoid being captured by law enforcement officers for criminal activity. A driver drag racing is also considered to be engaged in reckless driving. Whatever the situation, this type of behavior can lead to horrific crashes and serious injuries and even fatalities.
Potential damages available
If your personal injury lawsuit is successful, there are certain damages you might be able to recover against the at-fault driver. They include medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering and wrongful death if a loved one was killed because of the accident. In some cases, a case against a reckless driver could also result in punitive damages. This is done not to award the victim but to punish the defendant for their outrageous behavior.
To prove your case against a reckless driver, you’ll need evidence to show that certain elements are present. Those elements are duty of care, breach of that duty, causation and damages. All drivers have a duty of care to be responsible behind the wheel to prevent an accident. However, if someone drives recklessly, it breaches that duty, leading to a collision that they caused. The accident must have caused losses for you to have a valid case. Physical injuries of course constitute compensable losses.