The Dangers of Reckless Driving
According to the Illinois General Assembly, state law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for the safety of others. The most common forms of reckless driving include driving at excessive speeds, following other vehicles too closely, disregarding traffic signs, and weaving through traffic. Unfortunately, many motor vehicle collisions are caused by the reckless actions of a driver. If you or a loved have been injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by a reckless driver, you are entitled to significant injury compensation.
Reckless Driving and Injuries
Whenever a driver chooses to operate their vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner, they are compromising the safety of other travelers. The following are some of the most common types of reckless driving:
- Speeding: In the United States, speeding is the deadliest form of reckless driving. Throughout 2018 alone, speeding drivers were responsible for the deaths of 9,378 people. In all, driving at excessive speeds is the primary cause of 26% of all annual traffic fatalities. Speeding can impact vehicular control and a driver’s ability to react, making it a seriously dangerous form of negligence.
- Tailgating: Following other vehicles too closely, or tailgating, is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions. In many cases, rear-end collisions can result in life-changing injuries to the spine, as well as significant brain trauma. Both spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries can impact a person’s motor skills and compromise their ability to work. While symptoms can be delayed, one should seek medical attention immediately after being injured in a rear-end collision.
- Weaving Through Traffic: Illegally passing other vehicles or recklessly weaving through traffic, is also a leading cause of injuries in the United States. Drivers that choose to pass other vehicles in an unsafe manner increase the likelihood of head-on collisions, which are the most dangerous form of motor vehicle collisions. If the other driver was weaving through traffic, witness testimony or surveillance footage can be critically important in your personal injury case.
Contact an Aurora Car Accident Attorney
Suffering an injury in a car accident can come with emotional trauma and significant expenses. At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Mazur P.C., our team is dedicated to helping your family receive personal injury compensation after a car accident. When another driver chooses to operate their vehicle recklessly, they are actively putting others in danger. Through investigative work and strong legal representation, we will do everything in our power to prove that the other driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the accident. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a skilled DuPage County personal injury attorney, call us today at 630-907-0909.
Sources:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-503#:~:text=(a)%20A%20person%20commits%20reckless,the%20vehicle%20to%20become%20airborne.
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/speeding/#:~:text=Speeding%20is%20a%20major%20factor%20in%20traffic%20deaths%20and%20injuries.&text=Speeding%20was%20a%20factor%20in,attributable%20to%20speeding%20was%208%2C447.
