Philadelphia Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

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Protecting Car Accident Victims in Philadelphia Since 1959

Traffic laws are put into place to protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users from harm. However, when drivers behave recklessly, their negligence can lead to severe and sometimes fatal outcomes.

If you or a loved one were injured in Philadelphia as a result of a reckless driving accident, call Munley Law. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers have been helping injury victims since 1959 recover the compensation they need to move forward from accidents.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Philadelphia reckless driving accident lawyers at Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.

What is Reckless Driving?

Under Pennsylvania law, “Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.” Should you be found guilty of reckless driving, it is an initial summary offense and if convicted, you will be charged a fine of $200, up to 90 days in jail, and a six-month license suspension.

However, reckless driving can encompass a variety of traffic violations such as speeding, driving under the influence, driving without a license, etc. which means that a number of charges can be filed against a driver who is behaving recklessly.

Further, if the reckless driving caused serious bodily injury to another person, they may be found guilty of aggravated assault by a vehicle which is a third-degree felony. If convicted, these reckless drivers can face up to seven years in prison, up to $15,000 in fines, and a one-year license suspension.

What Is the Difference Between Careless Driving vs. Reckless Driving?

The difference between careless driving and reckless driving is a matter of intent. Pennsylvania law states that “Any person who drives a vehicle in careless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of careless driving, a summary offense.”

If a driver did not intentionally cause harm to another while driving a vehicle, but an accident occurs, they will likely be found guilty of careless driving. This includes actions like changing lanes, unsafely passing another driver, falling asleep behind the wheel, etc.

Even though the driver may not have intended to cause harm to another, they can still be punished for their actions. In Pennsylvania, careless drivers can face up to 90 days in jail and up to $300 in fines. But in the case of the accident causing serious bodily injury to another, the fine may be set at $250. For accidents that lead to death, they may face fines of $500, a six-month license suspension, and demerit points on their driving record.

What Are Some Examples of Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving accidents often occur after a combination of bad driving habits. Such reckless behaviors include:

• Distracted Driving: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that every day, nine people die in car accidents as a result of distracted driving. Distracted driving occurs anytime you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off of driving. This may include answering a cell phone, sending a text, changing the radio station, eating or drinking, etc. If you were involved in a distracted driving accident in Philadelphia, our Philadelphia distracted driving accident lawyer can help.
• Speeding/ Aggressive Driving: Speeding is most commonly associated with aggressive driving behaviors which took the lives of over 11,000 people in 2020. But aggressive driving is more than speeding–it can also include running red lights, following another driver too closely, not yielding, etc.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): We all know the dangers of drinking and driving or using drugs before getting behind the wheel. Yet even with laws in place to reduce the number of DUIs occurring, they still take thousands of lives each year. Drivers found guilty of reckless driving DUIs may be labeled as “wet reckless”.
• Traffic Pattern Accidents: Be it driving down a one-way street, colliding with another driver at an intersection, or failing to follow other traffic patterns, drivers who do not abide by road markings, street signs, and traffic law can find themselves facing heavy penalties and fines for reckless driving. In Philadelphia, this is extremely common for reckless driving collisions due to busy intersections, interstates, and expressways.

Where Are Philly Car Accidents Most Likely to Occur?

It is estimated that there are more than 640,000 cars on Philadelphia roads. While that is spread throughout the city, certain roadways have more daily traffic than others. Car accidents in Philadelphia are most likely to occur on the following roads:

• Grays Avenue and S. 48th Street intersection
• Intersection of Roosevelt Blvd. and Red Lion Road
• Intersection of Roosevelt Blvd. and Grant Avenue
• I-95
• Grand Avenue and Southwest 49th Street
• The Schuylkill Expressway
• Broad Street
• Bustleton Avenue
• Main Street
• Easton Street
• Old York Street
• 611
• Pennsylvania Turnpike

The heavy congestion, aggressive driving behaviors, and a number of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users make these some of the most dangerous roadways in Philadelphia and in Pennsylvania.

If you were injured as a result of reckless driving on one of these Philadelphia roadways or another section of Philly, contact a car accident lawyer at Munley Law.

What Are the Common Injuries From Philly Car Accidents?

Whether your car accident was caused by a reckless driver or another form of driver error or negligence, there are certain injuries you need to be mindful of. Because adrenaline will be high following the collision, you may not even realize how severe your injuries are until the next day or days after the accident.

This is why we encourage reckless driving accident victims to seek medical attention following an accident right away and to keep a record of any medical care received in the days and weeks following.

Common injuries from Philadelphia reckless driving accidents include:

• Back/neck injuries such as whiplash
• Bone fractures of limbs, skull, etc.
• Extensive cuts and severe burns
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal bleeding and/or organ damage
• Amputation
• Vision and/or hearing loss
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Paralysis
• Death

The extent of your and your passengers' injuries will impact the value of your claim which is why you'll want to speak with an attorney before the insurance companies try to settle your medical bills. You may face a lifetime of pain, suffering, and medical needs that you cannot afford without compensation.

Munley Law can help you calculate the current and long-term medical needs you and your loved ones may have with the help of medical professionals.

Why Is Philadelphia Reckless Driving at an All-Time High?

Studies of drivers on the roadways since the start of the coronavirus pandemic have led researchers to believe that during statewide lockdowns, some drivers have begun driving more recklessly as a result of fewer cars on the roadways.

In addition, police were more likely to not respond to traffic-related offenses and were instead pulled into violent crime incidents. Further, Philly adopted a driving equity bill that prohibits police from pulling drivers over for minor traffic offenses and instead, these drivers are mailed a violation letter.

With an increase in pedestrian deaths due to these reckless drivers, Philadelphia has seen an uptick in car crashes and traffic fatalities.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Reckless Driving Case?

There are a number of factors that will determine the value of your reckless driving case. Because each car accident claim is different, the following elements need to be considered when calculating the compensation you may be entitled to.

• The nature and severity of the accident
• Who is at fault
• The severity of your injuries
• The insurance company's negotiations

In addition, you and your legal team will need to determine what other losses you may have sustained such as:

• Current and future lost wages
• Long-term medical needs
• Accumulated medical bills
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral costs in the case of wrongful death

To get compensation for those losses, your lawyer will need to prove that you were less than 50 percent responsible for the collision. Under Pennsylvania's modified comparative negligence law, if you are more than 50 percent at fault for an accident, you cannot recover compensation.

If there is a question of your role and blame in an accident, a reckless driving attorney from Munley Law can help.

How Long Do I Have to File a Reckless Driving Claim?

If you are involved in a reckless driving accident in Philadelphia that caused you to sustain injuries, or lead to the death of a loved one, you have a right to file a claim against the negligent driver and pursue legal action.

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death charges is two years from the date of the accident or time of death. However, should you miss the two-year deadline, you forfeit your right to bring forth a claim.

In addition, you must act diligently and secure legal counsel as soon as possible following the collision. If you accept a settlement from the insurance companies, you will likely be unable to secure further compensation for your losses.

This is why you need a Munley Law Philadelphia personal injury lawyer by your side from the very start. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis which means you don't pay unless we win on your behalf.

How a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

At Munley Law, our Philadelphia reckless driving accident lawyers will do everything possible to ensure that your family gets the support and compensation needed to recover from the devastating consequences of reckless driving.

Our firm has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for the injured in Philly, and we can do the same for you. We know the busiest streets of the City of Brotherly Love are also some of the most dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Because of this, we take our extensive knowledge of the law and compassion for the injured and their families to bring justice on their behalf.

Munley Law helps victims of reckless driving accidents by:

• Investigating the cause of the accident to ensure that no stone is left unturned.
• Gathering evidence from the accident including photos, videos, and eyewitness testimony.
• Consulting with accident recreation experts if necessary.
• Negotiating with the insurance companies.
• Representing you in court.

The unfortunate reality is that insurance companies are going to try to pay as minimal as possible for the damages and injuries sustained by victims. And the other driver is going to try to mitigate their level of fault to lower the amount of compensation you can recover. When you take on a personal injury claim alone, this is all too likely to occur.

Car accident cases involving reckless drivers can be complex, and if you suffered a serious injury, you may not be able to handle the process alone. Munley Law can help.

While you contact a Munley Law reckless driving lawyer, be sure to take the following steps to preserve your claim:

• Get copies of your medical records and any medical bills relating to the accident. Be sure to keep track of changes in your health and any ongoing care you may need to receive.
• Secure a copy of the police report as well as any contact information of reporting officers and witnesses.
• Call your insurance company but do not give a recorded statement to the insurance adjusters, or accept any form of compensation.
• Get your vehicle assessed and keep a record of the projected amount to fix the car but do not repair it until it has been documented as evidence.
• Get photos, videos, and any other forms of evidence that may be helpful for your claim.
• Do not post details of the accident on social media.
• Do not admit any level of fault to the other involved parties, insurance company, etc.

Injured in a Car Crash? Call the Philadelphia Reckless Driving Lawyers of Munley Law.

If you were involved in a reckless driving accident in Philadelphia, the car accident lawyers of Munley Law can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward. Our car accident and reckless driving lawyers have more than 60 years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania. Allow us to bring that expertise to your claim.

As plaintiff lawyers who exclusively handle personal injury claims, we have our thumb on the ever-changing laws surrounding motor vehicle accidents. Our attorneys will work diligently to recover compensation for:

• Past and future medical bills
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Disability
• Lessened quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral expenses

We know that a car accident can derail your life as you struggle to pay for your medical needs and navigate the legal system. In fact, many victims of personal injury cases chose not to file a claim because of the time, resources, and guilt they feel for reporting another person. But that burden should not be on you. Munley Law knows that taking legal action against another person can be stressful and overwhelming. But when your family depends on you for survival, know that working with our team of legal professionals will make it easier for you to move forward.

A single moment that ends in a collision can change your life forever. Don't handle it alone. For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Philadelphia reckless driving accident lawyers of Munley Law today by calling, emailing, or chatting with us online.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747