When a driver is operating their vehicle in complete disregard for the safety of themselves and others, it can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities in an accident. If you have been injured because of someone’s reckless driving behavior, you may be entitled to economic, non-economic, and sometimes even punitive damages from the liable party. Contact us or call us at 866-395-2032 and let our Glendale reckless driving accident attorneys at Wattel & York fight to recover maximum compensation on your behalf.
What Constitutes Reckless Driving Behavior in Glendale?
Under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS §28-693), reckless driving is defined as driving a vehicle in a way that does not account for the safety of other people on the road, be it pedestrians, bikers, or drivers. Reckless driving can show up in many ways, such as:
- Speeding well over the limit
- Tailgating
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Passing in no-passing zones
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Failing to yield right-of-way
- Making illegal U-turns
- Racing other vehicles
- Evading law enforcement
- Driving without headlights at night
- Ignoring school bus stop signs
- Overtaking school buses
“Negligence Per Se” in Reckless Driving Cases
An accident and injury resulting from reckless driving may constitute a criminal offense in Arizona, and a conviction can serve as compelling evidence in a civil personal injury case. In other words, your attorney can use the criminal conviction for reckless driving to establish “negligence per se.” It means that under Arizona law, the reckless driving act is considered negligent because it breaks a law designed to protect public safety.
In car accident cases, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff (the victim). You must prove that the defendant (the reckless driver) owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through reckless behavior, and caused your injuries.
If your Glendale lawyer can prove the driver was reckless, you are highly likely to receive the maximum possible settlement. Even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover damages. Arizona operates under a “pure comparative negligence” system so your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, the at-fault driver’s reckless driving could increase their share of fault, which means you might get more compensation.
Our Glendale Reckless Driving Accident Lawyers Will Fight for You
The personal injury law in Arizona is on your side, but it only gives you two years in most cases to seek justice. Since your case depends on the quality of your evidence – like surveillance camera footage, skid marks, black box data, and eyewitnesses – time is of the essence. Contact our Glendale reckless driving attorneys at Wattel & York to start your claim.
In reckless driving cases, the law allows plaintiffs to pursue punitive damages, so insurance companies know the stakes are high. They will look for any loophole to avoid paying. Therefore, you need our experienced and tenacious attorneys. Give us a call at 866-395-2032 or send us a message online and let our 100+ years of combined experience in Arizona courts work in your favor.
