Pittsburgh
Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer

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1. Pennsylvania Reckless Driving Accident Attorneys
2. Reckless Driving Significantly Increases the Risk of Auto Accidents
3. Claims for Compensation Can Be Complex
4. Request a Free Case Evaluation with a Pittsburgh Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Pennsylvania Reckless Driving Accident Attorneys

People who have been hurt by a reckless driver in a car accident can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to potentially secure compensation for the injuries and damages they sustained. You might file a claim with your insurance provider initially to recover medical expenses and lost wages, as Pennsylvania is a no-fault state unless you have full tort coverage.

However, if you sustain serious injuries, your treatment’s cost can quickly exhaust your auto insurance medical benefits coverage. If this occurs, there may be legal options for you to pursue compensation.

Worrying about paying medical bills, dealing with your injuries, and being unable to work can be stressful. The Pittsburgh car accident law team at Berger and Green wants to help you get the compensation you need. Discuss your accident with our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers in a free case review today and find out more about your legal options by calling us at (412) 661-1400.

Reckless Driving Significantly Increases the Risk of Auto Accidents

As stated in 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3736, reckless driving is a serious traffic offense involving wanton disregard for others’ safety. Drivers who choose to drive recklessly on the roads may cause accidents that could result in severe injuries to others, property damage, and, in some tragic cases, death.

Reckless driving may involve the following driving behaviors:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication
• Failing to stay in the proper lane
• Refusing to yield right of way
• Operating the vehicle in a careless way
• Ignoring safety rules and traffic controls
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Weaving through traffic
• Illegal passing
• Cutting people off
• Refusing to let other motorists pass
• Falling to use signals
• Tailgating
• Racing on the street
• Expressing aggression behind the wheel

A reckless driving accident may involve more than one of the driving behaviors listed above. These types of behaviors are deliberate actions taken by the driver without regard for the safety of other road users. If found committing these acts, a driver may be charged with reckless driving, which can be brought up when presenting your case.

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a reckless driver, you can choose to work with a Pittsburgh reckless driving accident lawyer, who can help you understand your options in terms of compensation. If you are eligible, they can support you through the claims process and fight for the compensation you need.

Claims for Compensation Can Be Complex

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can take its toll on a physical, emotional, and financial level. Victims of collisions caused by reckless drivers may have significant injuries and might need to take time away from work to recover. Pursuing compensation might seem overwhelming to people if they are also trying to balance the emotional stress of the accident, cope with lost wages, and manage medical expenses.

How you go about pursuing compensation will depend on the coverage you opted for when you took out your auto insurance policy. According to 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 1705, your insurer should have contacted you within 45 days of your policy renewal to determine whether you want:

• Limited tort coverage
• Full tort coverage

With limited tort coverage, you can turn to your auto insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages, which are capped at a specific amount depending on your policy. This coverage applies regardless of who is to blame for the accident. Compensation for non monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, are not available under limited tort.

When your medical expenses exceed the policy coverage, you may file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver. However, your injuries must meet a legal definition of “serious,” such as impairment of a body function or permanent disfigurement.

Depending on your circumstances, your lawyer can help you demonstrate that your injuries meet this threshold. Other exceptions could allow you to file a third-party claim, so it is always worth seeking legal advice to determine your legal options, regardless of your insurance coverage.

When another driver is the cause of your accident, full tort coverage may give you the option to receive compensation for:

• All medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle damage

A Pittsburgh reckless driving accident lawyer can examine the details of your accident and help you understand how your coverage affects the compensation you could be entitled to receive.

Further, it can be beneficial to seek legal advice before speaking to or making statements with insurance representatives. Any statements you make to insurance representatives may be used against you if they imply fault on your part. We can also help you determine the value of your claim by calculating your losses.

According to 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, claimants generally have two years to file a personal injury claim after a reckless driving accident. Moving sooner rather than later also gives your lawyer time to build a detailed and robust case.

If you have any questions about your compensation claim or are unsure what to do, please do take advantage of our free case evaluation at (412) 661-1400. Our team at Berger and Green is happy to address your concerns and will help you build your personal injury claim to fight for compensation.

Request a Free Case Evaluation with a Pittsburgh Reckless Driving Accident Lawyer Today

The team at Berger and Green understands how frightening it can be to experience a car accident with a reckless driver. We want to help you and your family during this stressful time.

While we pursue a settlement for your injuries and losses, we offer you complete support every step of the way. Call us for a free case review at (412) 661-1400 today.