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What Constitutes Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving isn’t just careless. It’s a conscious disregard for the safety of others on the road. In South Carolina, you can be charged with reckless driving if you operate a vehicle in a way that shows willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others. That legal phrasing can seem vague, but the consequences aren’t. Victims of reckless drivers often suffer serious injuries that may negatively impact them for months, years, or their lifetime.
If you were injured by someone driving recklessly, our South Carolina reckless driving lawyers at Douglas Jennings Law Firm, LLC, are ready to advocate for you and hold the reckless driver accountable for the losses you incurred in the collision.
What Legally Counts as Reckless Driving in South Carolina?
Under the South Carolina Code, reckless driving means operating a vehicle with a “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” This goes beyond simple negligence because it’s not just a mistake. It’s knowingly taking a dangerous risk, such as speeding excessively through heavy traffic or tailgating on a rain-slicked highway. Common examples include:
- Weaving through traffic at high speeds
- Blowing through red lights or stop signs on purpose
- Street racing
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Ignoring pedestrians in crosswalks
Each of these actions creates a foreseeable risk of serious harm and often leads to it. Victims of reckless driving crashes typically deal with:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage
- Crushed or fractured limbs
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Psychological trauma
These aren’t the kinds of injuries you bounce back from in a week. They come with months or years of recovery, and the medical bills and lost income to match.
Proving Reckless Driving Takes More Than Just Blame
Reckless driving cases hinge on evidence. To prove the driver acted with willful or wanton disregard, you must show more than just the fact that a crash occurred. Surveillance footage, crash reconstruction, eyewitness testimony, and even social media posts can all become key pieces of evidence. In some cases, cell phone records may show the driver was texting moments before the crash. Other times, data from the vehicle’s black box may reveal excessive speeds right before impact.
How You Can Benefit From Working with a South Carolina Reckless Driving Attorney
If you were injured because of someone else’s reckless driving, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. The insurer may already be pushing you to settle quickly. However, accepting their first offer could mean losing out on thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars in compensation.
A South Carolina reckless driving lawyer can investigate the crash to uncover evidence of reckless conduct and work with accident reconstruction experts when needed. They can identify all available sources of compensation, including underinsured motorist coverage. In addition, they will handle aggressive insurance adjusters so you don’t have to and build a strong, evidence-backed case for full compensation.
Seek Legal Help From Our South Carolina Reckless Driving Lawyers Now
If you or someone you love was hurt by a reckless driver, reach out to our South Carolina reckless driving attorneys to learn more about your legal options. To schedule your free case review, call the Douglas Jennings Law Firm, LLC, at 843-479-2865 or fill out our online form. You deserve justice and maximum compensation for all your accident-related losses.