When drivers get behind the wheel of a car, they are responsible not only for the lives of people in their vehicle but also for every other motorist they come across on the road. This means acting responsibly, obeying all traffic laws, and practicing safe driving techniques to minimize the risk of an accident. Unfortunately, not all drivers in Wilkes-Barre treat driving with the respect it demands and instead drive recklessly, increasing the chance of an accident and putting innocent motorists’ lives in jeopardy.
The Wilkes-Barre car accident attorneys of Munley Law are here to help you if a reckless driver in Wilkes-Barre has hurt you. We firmly believe that people are responsible for operating their vehicles with care and caution at all times, and when they fail to do so, they should be held accountable for their actions. Our award-winning car accident attorneys are ready to stand up for you and help you secure the compensation you are owed, so don’t wait to contact us to discuss your claim.
Understanding Pennsylvania’s Reckless Driving Laws
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 3736 defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. This legal standard goes beyond simple negligence or momentary inattention. Under Pennsylvania law, reckless driving requires proof that the driver deliberately ignored known risks and consciously disregarded the safety of others on the road.
The distinction between reckless and careless driving is crucial in Pennsylvania courts. Careless driving involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, while reckless driving demonstrates a conscious indifference to consequences. This higher standard of culpability often results in more severe penalties for the offending driver and more substantial grounds for civil liability.
Criminal penalties for reckless driving in Pennsylvania include fines up to $200 for a first offense, potential jail time of up to 90 days, and six points on the driver’s license. However, these criminal consequences don’t automatically guarantee compensation for victims. Civil liability operates under different legal principles, allowing injured parties to pursue damages regardless of whether criminal charges result in a conviction.
Pennsylvania courts have consistently held that reckless driving creates a presumption of liability in civil cases. When a driver’s behavior rises to reckless conduct, it becomes significantly easier to establish fault and pursue maximum compensation for injuries and damages.
Reckless Driving Accident Cases We Handle in Wilkes-Barre
When motorists act aggressively behind the wheel and choose to drive above the speed limit or disregard other state and federal laws, they willingly risk human lives to shave a few minutes off their commutes. From other motorists to pedestrians, encountering a reckless driver can forever change your quality of life, robbing you of your ability to work or act out your passions.
Our personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling car accident cases caused by any of the following reckless actions:
- Driving over the speed limit
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Drag racing
- Tailgating
- Not using turn signals or making illegal turns
- Erratically moving in and out of lanes
- Failure to yield to other cars or pedestrians
- Breaking any other traffic law
These cases often overlap with distracted driving accidents and other dangerous behaviors. Many of these actions are illegal, and while we depend on police officers or highway patrol officers to catch these drivers and write them citations before they cause accidents, they can’t prevent or catch all drivers from knowingly breaking the law and driving recklessly. That’s when a tough and relentless car accident attorney can help you take legal action and hold these parties responsible. Reckless driving car accidents can be catastrophic for everyone involved, causing severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and, in many cases, death.
We also represent victims of truck accidents involving reckless driving, which often cause devastating injuries
Proving Reckless Driving in Wilkes-Barre Courts
Establishing reckless driving in a legal case requires comprehensive evidence of willful disregard for safety. Unlike typical negligence cases, where momentary inattention might be sufficient, reckless driving demands proof of conscious indifference to known risks.
Traffic enforcement cameras along major Wilkes-Barre corridors like the Cross Valley Expressway and River Street often capture reckless driving behavior. These recordings can provide objective evidence of excessive speeding, aggressive lane changes, or failure to obey traffic signals. Additionally, many modern vehicles contain event data recorders that document speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments before a collision.
Witness testimony plays an important role in reckless driving cases. Passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians who observed the defendant’s behavior can provide firsthand accounts of dangerous driving patterns. Our car crash lawyers work with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze physical evidence like skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions to calculate speeds and determine how the collision occurred.
Cell phone records have become increasingly important in proving reckless driving. When drivers text, call, or use social media while driving at high speeds or in dangerous conditions, this evidence can demonstrate the willful nature of their reckless conduct. Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving laws make unauthorized cell phone use particularly relevant in establishing liability.
Expert witness testimony from accident reconstruction specialists, former law enforcement officers, and automotive engineers can help explain complex technical evidence to juries. These professionals can demonstrate how the defendant’s actions deviated from reasonable driving standards and directly caused the collision.
Contact Our Wilkes-Barre Reckless Driving Lawyers Today
The aftermath of a car accident can be physically and emotionally draining. It can leave you feeling helpless and in a perpetual state of stress, worry, and fear of the future. Reckless driving cases can be especially complicated, requiring extensive knowledge of the legal system and experience dealing with insurance companies and the courts. Fortunately, the Wilkes-Barre reckless driving lawyers at Munley Law take these cases extremely seriously and do not rest until receiving the financial settlement we know our clients deserve after their accident.
Because we are so committed to our client’s needs and well-being, we offer free and confidential consultations and will not charge you a penny unless we reach a settlement and get you the financial compensation you deserve. Take control of your future today by calling us, filling out an online form, or chatting with a live legal representative on our website.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on July 18, 2025.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
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