Reckless driving crashes happen all the time, causing victims to suffer severe or even fatal injuries. These collisions are especially tragic because they are completely preventable. In addition to suffering injuries and other losses, victims must prove liability to recover compensation for their damages.
Anderson & Cummings lends more insight about reckless driving crashes below, including how this behavior can escalate in dangerous ways and what evidence may help prove liability.
Injured in a reckless driving crash you did not cause? Seth Anderson is a leading Fort Worth auto accident lawyer in Texas and a partner at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn. He is a board-certified trial lawyer and has also been distinguished as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2013.
Are you ready to find out about your potential legal options? Our firm has recovered millions for our clients, and we are ready to help.
Request your FREE case review today. (817) 920-9000
Reckless driving is an extremely unsafe behavior that can quickly lead to a crash. Under Texas law, this behavior is defined as the operation of vehicles with a willful disregard for the safety of other persons or property.
There are many types of reckless driving behaviors, but a few of the most common examples include:
The reason reckless driving behavior is so dangerous is that it can incite another driver to become angry, which could then lead to road rage. People often think of reckless driving as being the same as road rage, however, these behaviors are not the same.
Road rage takes reckless driving behaviors to another level, putting other people at an even greater risk of a crash.
Road rage that is considered to be aggressive driving behavior may include:
Aggressive driving is defined as behavior that puts others in harm’s way. This is a much more serious offense than reckless driving. Criminal charges can be assessed, along with other penalties and fines.
Texas does not have a specific law for road rage. However, any type of reckless or aggressive driving behavior can land you in serious legal trouble. If aggressive behavior is especially severe, the at-fault party could face criminal charges.
The penalties for reckless driving, while not as severe as for aggressive driving, could include:
Ideally, you would contact an experienced car accident attorney to manage your case. Proving a case of reckless driving in Texas is extremely difficult and should be handled by a licensed attorney who is familiar with these types of cases.
In Texas, you must be able to prove that the at-fault driver caused a crash due to more than negligence. You must also be able to establish the at-fault driver:
There are various types of evidence that could help to support and strengthen your claim of a reckless driving crash.
In a case involving reckless driving, there may be one or more credible witnesses who saw that driver’s behavior and how it led to the crash. For instance, it is hard to miss a driver who deliberately speeds up to enter another lane of traffic and then slams on the brakes.
Whether captured by someone’s smartphone, a traffic camera or a dash camera, having video evidence of events leading up to a crash is difficult to dispute. An example of footage might be a passenger in another lane who filmed someone deliberately driving into another vehicle.
This data can help to show when a driver was excessively speeding. If the driver was speeding in, say, a school zone, he or she would have to know that speeding was reckless and could endanger others.
Calling the police to the scene of a reckless driving crash is highly recommended. First responders are trained to handle all types of traffic incidents, including those involving reckless drivers.
It is worth noting, however, that you do not need to prove reckless driving to recover compensation for your damages. You need only establish that the at-fault driver was negligent in some way. That said, if your attorney proves the at-fault person was intentionally driving recklessly, you may be able to seek punitive damages as well.
Our highly trained attorneys at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn are ready to help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses.
We have been helping accident victims, including those injured in reckless driving crashes, for decades. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions in compensation to help our clients be able to move forward with their lives. In fact, crash victims who have legal representation are far more likely to recover significant compensation than those who do not.
Contact our law offices as soon as possible. If you have a case, we have the resources and staff to fully investigate your crash and recover evidence that could strengthen your claim.
Learn about your legal options, risk-free. If you choose our firm to represent you, there are also no upfront costs to pay. You cannot call an attorney too soon, as strict deadlines apply to every injury claim.
Anderson & Cummings. Experienced Lawyers. Proven Results. Call: (817) 920-9000 today.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.
A pedestrian can face legal and financial responsibility when pedestrian actions directly trigger a collision, although Texas law still evaluates every party’s conduct before assigning fault. At Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, we often speak with Fort Worth residents asking what happens if a pedestrian...
learn more
Being sued after a crash is one of those situations nobody expects, and when it happens, it can feel overwhelming. You may worry about your finances, your reputation, and how to even begin responding. Many Texans search for what to do if someone sues...
learn more
Drivers across Texas may not even realize they’re doing it, but what is a rolling stop? It’s when a vehicle slows down at a stop sign or red light but doesn’t completely halt before entering the intersection. It might feel like a minor shortcut,...
learn moreTell us about your accident and your injuries. An injury lawyer from our team will call and provide you with a free evaluation of your case. If we can help, and you are unable to travel, we will come to your home, office, or hospital. It’s easy – let’s get started.
Email us anytime and we will get back to you.
Our attorneys will come to your home, office or hospital at your convenience.
Our team is ready and waiting to help you today.
Message Us 
Call Us