Many car accidents come down to simple negligence and carelessness. But others are the result of egregious and reckless driving behavior. If you’ve been hurt by a reckless driver, the stakes can be high; accident injuries can be severe and your losses great. You may be in serious pain and struggling to make ends meet.
A reckless driving lawyer in Westbury from Levine And Wiss can be your legal advocate and fight for the money you need in the form of an insurance settlement. With our help, you can pursue compensation for medical bills, lost work income, and more.
We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of motor vehicle accidents and have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. Send us a message online or call us today to speak to a Westbury car accident lawyer about your case.
What Is Reckless Driving in New York?
New York Law defines reckless driving as driving in a way that unreasonably interferes with traffic or endangers others. Reckless driving is more than just simple negligence. Whereas negligence involves carelessness or lack of attention, recklessness implies a level of conscious awareness and intention in behavior.
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under VTL § 1212. A first conviction carries up to a $300 fine (minimum $100) or up to 30 days in jail. Penalties escalate for repeat convictions within an 18-month period, up to a maximum of $1,125 or 180 days in jail.
Examples of Reckless Driving
Below are some common examples of driving behavior that may count as reckless driving:
- Speeding significantly over the speed limit
- Following too closely
- Brake checking or cutting drivers off
- Intentionally running stop signs and red lights
- Driving in an aggressive or threatening manner
- Using a vehicle to intimidate motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians
- Peeling out and performing donuts
- Crossing double yellow lines to pass
- Drag racing with other vehicles
If you’ve been involved in a reckless driving accident, you need to document the scene and get medical attention as soon as possible. A lawyer from Levine And Wiss can help you gather evidence related to the crash to prove the other driver’s fault and legal responsibility.
Injury Coverage Under New York’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
The first step our Westbury personal injury lawyers will take is to file a no-fault insurance claim with your auto coverage. As a no-fault state, New York requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for accident injuries.
This coverage should pay for your medical expenses and replace a percentage of your lost work income. Since the coverage is no-fault, there is no need to prove liability, and the claim can be resolved faster. Levine And Wiss can file a PIP claim on your behalf so you can get immediate relief for your losses.
One limitation of PIP coverage is that it won’t pay for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Westbury Reckless Driving Lawyer Near Me
(888) 468-4878Holding Reckless Drivers Accountable for the Harm They Cause
Your no-fault insurance is the first line of coverage after an accident, but losses from a reckless driving accident may exceed your coverage. If you exhaust your PIP coverage or your injuries are severe, you can step outside of the no-fault system to directly file a claim against the responsible driver’s liability coverage.
Through a traditional at-fault claim, a Westbury reckless driving attorney from Levine And Wiss can pursue a wider range of damages than no-fault coverage allows, including damages for:
- Medical expenses and future medical treatment
- Lost income and employment compensation
- Reductions in your future earning potential due to disability
- Cost of replacement household services
- Miscellaneous injury-related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment and capacity to engage in hobbies
Reckless Driving and Punitive Damages
In reckless driving cases, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages against the driver. This is additional money that courts may award when the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intentional malice.
Reckless driving may meet the threshold for gross negligence and could justify punitive damages. Our Westbury reckless driving crash lawyers can work to prove with clear and convincing evidence that the driver displayed a reckless indifference to your safety.
Click to contact our Car Accident Lawyers in Westbury today
Time Limit to Sue for Reckless Driving in New York
New York’s statute of limitations (NY CPLR 214(5)) typically gives you no more than three years to sue a reckless driver for accident injuries. Once the three-year timer passes, you’ll lose your chance to recover financial compensation through legal channels.
Even with three years, minor delays can hurt your case. Waiting makes it much harder to gather evidence and prove your medical condition. By starting early and talking to a lawyer, you’ll increase the chances of recovery without payment delays.
Contact a Westbury Reckless Driving Lawyer from Levine And Wiss
All it takes is one reckless driver to change your life forever. Levine And Wiss can be your dedicated legal partner in pursuing justice and closure. We promise to use every resource and strategy available to fight on your behalf.
Contact our offices online or call us today to discuss your case with a knowledgeable reckless driving lawyer in Westbury. We offer free initial consultations.