Reckless driving accidents are far too common on South Carolina’s roads. Dangerous drivers take unnecessary risks and cause serious bodily injuries when they crash into other motorists or pedestrians. Victims can spend years rehabbing injuries suffered because a motorist was driving recklessly. Contact McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie & Clardy today to speak with a Greenwood car accident lawyer. Our firm understands how to collect evidence to support an insurance claim. We might also file a lawsuit to protect you.
Reckless Driving Accidents in South Carolina By the Numbers
Reckless driving is more serious than simple negligence. A negligent driver is careless, meaning they failed to drive as reasonably careful people are expected to drive. However, a reckless driver often takes conscious risks without regard for other people’s safety. They know they are driving dangerously; they simply don’t care.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety collects statistics on accidents and publishes an annual report. The numbers from the most recent report in 2023 are eye-opening:
- Drunk driving. Drunk drivers are certainly reckless since they should know not to pick up the car keys after drinking too much. In 2023, South Carolina had 2,074 injury accidents caused by drunk driving.
- Speeding-related accidents. Sometimes speeding is the result of carelessness. But a driver who goes 20 miles over the speed limit has been more than negligent. In 2023, over 9,000 accidents were the result of driving too fast for conditions, and 476 people were seriously injured.
- Aggressive driving. Aggressive driving includes driving on sidewalks, cutting someone off, or tailgating because the driver is in the grips of road rage. South Carolina saw 470 injury collisions in 2023 due to the aggressive operation of a vehicle.
- Ignoring stop signs. Someone who runs a red light has not accidentally made a minor mistake. They have taken a dangerous, deliberate act and endangered public safety in the process. In 2023, there were 2,682 collisions in South Carolina caused by the disregard of traffic signals.
- Driving the wrong way. In 2023, 685 accidents involved a motorist driving the wrong way. This is often the result of chemical impairment or risk-taking. Over 120 people were seriously injured that year in this type of accident.
South Carolina has plans to reduce the number of car accidents, but so far, nothing seems to be working. Thousands of people continue to be hurt each month in preventable, avoidable collisions, and reckless drivers are often to blame.
How to Prove Fault in a Reckless Driving Accident
Accident victims suffer many of the same injuries in reckless driving accidents that they do in other types of collisions: broken bones, concussions, whiplash, and back injuries are some of the most frequent.
The key in this type of case is to prove the other driver was reckless behind the wheel. How do we do that?
We can rely on witnesses to establish that the driver was engaging in dangerous behavior. For example, witnesses could report that a driver ran a red light at high speeds before T-boning your vehicle. Or they could testify that a driver deliberately crashed into your car because they were under road rage.
Police can also find evidence, which is one reason to report the accident to the nearest police station. The responding officer might ask an intoxicated driver to participate in field sobriety tests or give a roadside breath sample. We can use the results to prove the driver was impaired.
The police also might have clocked a driver going too fast, and we can ask the police officer to share the speed gun information. That would make it easier to prove excessive speed.
Compensation for a Reckless Driving Accident
Injured victims need compensation to aid in their recovery. A settlement can help them fix their vehicle and pay medical bills. Accident victims have other expenses that must be paid each month, including their mortgage or rent.
Our Greenwood car accident attorneys seek the full range of compensatory damages in most cases:
- Lost income or wages
- Medical treatment
- Future medical care
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
Each case depends on its facts. Someone who suffers more serious injuries can usually request more compensation from the defendant. A moderate TBI might keep a person out of work for six months to a year, while suffering other problems, including a loss of enjoyment of life. By contrast, a mild sprain can usually heal on its own quickly.
Hold onto medical bills and other proof of economic loss to share with your attorney. These documents help us prove economic losses.
Punitive Damages and Reckless Driving Accidents
Compensatory damages like those listed above seek to make up for the harms a driver suffers in an accident. But we might also seek punitive damages against the defendant for driving recklessly.
South Carolina allows a victim to seek punitive damages when the defendant has acted recklessly or wantonly. That means we can demand punitive damages as a form of punishment. The goal is to deter the defendant and others from taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel.
How much can you seek? The amount will depend on the facts. If your case goes to trial, then the jury will have to determine an amount to punish the defendant appropriately.
Punitive damages increase the amount our clients take home, but we need clear and convincing evidence that the driver was reckless. Many drivers deny they took unjustified risks behind the wheel, so we need to find other evidence.
Speak with a Greenwood Car Accident Lawyer in a Free Consultation
McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie & Clardy has helped the Greenwood community with car accident cases for years. Our firm has won millions in settlements for clients hurt in a variety of collisions, including those caused by a reckless driver. We believe in accountability, which protects the wider public and brings a sense of justice to our clients. Contact us to schedule your consultation with a member of our legal team.