Car Accidents Caused by Reckless Driving

By Thomas Greer | September 21, 2015

Memphis Auto AccidentsThe leading cause of car accidents is driver error, and reckless driving is one of those errors that cause many accidents where people lose their lives or suffer catastrophic injuries. Tennessee law defines a reckless driver as, “any person who drives any vehicle in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” The vagueness of the law affords police officers a significant amount of latitude in determining what actions can be charged as distracted driving.

Driver actions which can be charged as reckless driving may include:

  • Excessive speed
  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving (DUI)
  • Running stop signs and red lights
  • Aggressive driving/ road rage
  • Tailgating
  • Excessive lane changing
  • Drag racing with another car
  • Sudden braking

Distracted driving can become reckless driving in Tennessee

In Tennessee it is illegal for bus drivers and people with a learner’s permit or intermediate license to operate a hand-held mobile phone, either to talk or text, while behind the wheel of a vehicle in operation. It is also illegal to use their phones if “hands-free.” Experienced drivers may not text, but can use both hand-held and hands-free cell phones. Research has shown that texting while driving can impair the driver even more than alcohol does. If a police officer observes a driver who is looking at the phone in their hand and texting as their vehicle swerves in and out of their lane, they could charge the driver with reckless driving along with the penalties for texting behind the wheel. Texting or talking on the phone with the phone in your hands while driving demonstrates reckless behavior. Most people who do it are not aware of the potential for disaster this behavior can wreak.

Car accidents caused by reckless drivers

If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by a reckless driver, it might actually make it “easier” to collect the evidence you need to prove fault due to the egregious nature of the driver’s behavior. A personal injury lawsuit alleges that the defendant’s negligent conduct caused the plaintiff’s injuries. An experienced West Tennessee car accident attorney will investigate the accident, identify the responsible party and hold them liable for your injuries.

Every driver who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle owes a duty of care to others on the roadway to drive in a safe and reasonable manner. Reckless driving accidents often occur when the driver has put his or her own needs above those of the other drivers and behaves, as the law says, with a wanton disregard for the rights of other drivers to be safe on the road.

Have you or someone you care about sustained an injury from an accident with a reckless driver? You may be able take legal action against the other driver. At the law offices of Bailey & Greer we can help. Call us at 901-680-9777 or contact us to schedule a consultation at our Memphis, Jackson or Nashville office to discuss your case today.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Blog