Attorney David J. King

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Did reckless driving cause you to suffer injuries in an accident?

On Behalf of | Dec 26, 2017 | Blog

Getting to work, the grocery store, your child’s school or numerous other destinations often requires you to get behind the wheel of a vehicle or to allow someone else to drive you. This common form of transportation allows you and many others to reach your desired locations relatively quickly and easily. However, you can always face dangers while on the road.

Though you certainly do your best to remain a defensive and conscientious driver, you cannot always account for the actions of other individuals. In fact, some drivers may throw caution to the wind as they hastily try to reach their destinations or otherwise completely disregard the safety of other travelers. In many cases, the parties may participate in various forms of reckless driving.

Examples of reckless driving

Though not every state considers the same actions reckless as far as traffic laws go, most people would look at certain driving behaviors as negligent and as showing a disregard for their safety and the safety of others. Some examples of reckless or negligent driving include:

  • Excessive speed — Though you and other people may have a tendency to travel slightly over the speed limit, exceeding that limit by 20 or 25 mph (or more) often equates to unnecessarily risky driving.
  • Passing with limited view — Most often, this type of reckless driving pertains to attempting to pass another vehicle while on a hill. Because the driver has a limited view of oncoming traffic, he or she could easily collide with another vehicle traveling the opposite direction.
  • Eluding police — If a driver refuses to stop for police, he or she could put others in danger by initiating a high-speed chase or taking other actions in hopes of eluding officers.
  • Racing — Racing on public roadways presents a particular hazard as racers often knowingly disregard speed limits, traffic signs and signals, and numerous other measures put in place to keep travelers safe.

As mentioned, these actions may not be specifically defined as reckless driving by law in South Dakota, but they still put you and others at risk of being involved in a serious accident.

Pursuing compensation

If you have suffered serious injuries in a car accident caused by a reckless or otherwise negligent driver, you may wish to explore your options for seeking compensation. Filing a personal injury claim against the driver considered at fault could help you with this endeavor. Obtaining reliable information from local legal resources could also allow you to better understand your options.

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