Binghamton Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

Do you have injuries because of an accident caused by a reckless driver? If so, a New York reckless driving accident lawyer can help.

Reckless drivers can cause severe injury or death. If a reckless driver has hurt you, our firm can help you pursue legal action to recover money for your financial losses. We have extensive experience managing car accident claims in New York and have the resources and skills to effectively handle your reckless driving claim. We’ll handle the difficult legal legwork so that you can focus on healing and recovery.

Contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney online or call us today to speak to a reckless driving accident attorney about your case.

What Is Considered Reckless Driving?

NY VTL 1212 is the New York driving law that defines reckless driving as driving any motor vehicle in a manner that unreasonably endangers people on the road or that prevents the free and proper use of roadways. This definition is intentionally broad and could include several driving behaviors, such as:

• Speeding significantly above the posted limit
• Performing aggressive maneuvers
• Tailgating or following too closely
• Operating a vehicle in a threatening or aggressive manner
• Ignoring traffic signals and signs
• Driving on the wrong side of the road or on the sidewalk
• Street racing
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Reckless driving is a more severe charge than negligent driving. Negligence implies a level of carelessness or unintentional action. Reckless driving, in contrast, implies a knowing or wanton disregard of others’ safety.

Why You Need a Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

A car accident is not just a temporary setback. It can completely upend your life. Between the pain, medical bills, and inability to work, it may seem like there are no options for relief. Car accident attorneys can assist you with all the legal aspects of filing an injury claim. More specifically, an attorney can investigate the auto accident and gather evidence to determine who caused the crash. They can get copies of your medical records and the police report about the accident.

In addition, your lawyer can assess the total value of your claim and send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurer. Then, they can negotiate with the insurer to secure an appropriate settlement. If no settlement can be reached, your lawyer can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to seek the compensation you deserve.

Attorney Scott C. Gottlieb has received numerous professional recognitions for his work in personal injury law and has an established track record of successful verdicts and settlements. You can trust us to provide the competent and effective legal counsel you need.

Common Injuries in Reckless Driving Accidents

A reckless driver can cause injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic. Below are some common injuries we see in reckless driving cases:

• Bruises and soft-tissue injuries
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Burns and abrasions
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Crushing injuries
• Amputations
• PTSD

New York has a no-fault system for car accidents, so your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage initially pays for your injuries, regardless of who caused the crash. In New York, you cannot step outside the state’s no-fault insurance system and sue an at-fault driver unless you meet the threshold for serious injury. A serious injury is one that results in death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fractures, the loss of a fetus, or the permanent loss of a bodily organ, system, or function, according to NY ISC 5102.

If your injury crosses the legal threshold, you can sue the reckless driver for a broader range of losses, including compensation for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering.

Proving Reckless Driving in a Personal Injury Case

To file a personal injury claim against a reckless driver for a serious injury, you must demonstrate that their reckless behavior directly caused your physical injuries and losses. Evidence that can prove reckless driving includes:

• Photographs and video recordings of the accident
• Physical evidence at the collision scene
• Police accident reports
• Eyewitness accounts and testimony
• Accident reconstruction data
• Medical documentation showing your injury’s cause and severity
• On-board vehicle computer data or electronic logs

A reckless driving lawyer knows what kinds of evidence will have the best impact in your case. We can work with medical professionals to assess and demonstrate the full extent of your injuries. We examine your case from every angle to prove the other party’s liability and your own lack of fault.

Financial Compensation Available to Victims

Reckless driving often involves excessive speeding, which can cause serious injuries that impose life-altering repercussions. You may be facing extensive medical treatment, which can cause a tremendous financial burden and cause an undue emotional toll on you and your family.

New York personal injury victims can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are direct financial losses caused by the accident, while non-economic damages compensate for less tangible losses.

Depending on the circumstances, you can pursue compensation for the following types of losses:

• Medical expenses: You can seek compensation for the cost of medical treatment, including emergency hospitalization, surgery, follow-up care, physical rehabilitation, prescription drugs, and medical equipment.
• Lost wages: You can also recover money for any lost income from missing work, including regular hourly/salary pay, bonuses, tips, commissions, and other employment compensation.
• Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries cause permanent disability, you can recover the differences in your pre- and post-injury lifetime expected earning capacity.
• Property damage: You can also seek compensation for the costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle.
• Miscellaneous injury costs: You can recover compensation for one-time or recurring injury costs, such as childcare or transportation.
• Pain and suffering: New York also recognizes your right to recover financial compensation for intangible, personal losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life.

In New York State, you might be able to recover punitive damages in reckless driving cases. Courts can award punitive damages in cases where the defendant demonstrates especially willful, wanton, or malicious conduct. Unlike many states, New York has no statutory caps on punitive damages.

Contact a Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer in Binghamton, NY, Today

A reckless driver can cause catastrophic injuries that change your life forever. Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney has over four decades of legal experience and has helped many car accident victims recover money for their injuries. You can count on us to manage every single aspect of your claim, from initial filings to final negotiations and litigation. We even go above and beyond to help clients with matters outside the direct scope of their case, such as scheduling doctors’ appointments. We are proud of the personalized attention our firm offers, and we strive to treat each client as if they were family.

Contact our offices online or call us today for a free consultation with a reckless driving accident lawyer.