Reckless Driving Lawyer in Huntsville, AL

Reckless driving – a term that describes a wide range of dangerous behaviors behind the wheel – is a serious threat to motorists and other road users in Huntsville and throughout Northern Alabama.

In a national survey on reckless driving, Pew Research estimated that about 14.5 percent of all crashes involved a hit-and-run driver, while almost 28 percent of fatal collisions involved excessive speed. Nearly a third of all fatal collisions involved at least one intoxicated motorist.

Drivers who make the conscious decision to engage in reckless behavior should be held accountable for their actions, and their victims should not be left to pay the price.

At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our Huntsville reckless driving attorneys understand the serious impact car crashes have on victims and their families. We want to help you pursue the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing and recovery.

What Is Considered Reckless Driving in Huntsville, AL?

The term “reckless driving” can describe a range of unsafe driving behaviors. A driver behaves recklessly rather than merely carelessly when they are aware of the danger of their actions and consciously choose to engage in them anyway.

Here are some common examples of driving behaviors that could constitute reckless driving in Huntsville:

Excessive speeding – Driving significantly faster than the posted speed limit, especially in residential areas, school zones, or construction zones
Aggressive lane changes – Weaving in and out of traffic without signaling or checking blind spots
Tailgating – Following other vehicles too closely, leaving insufficient time to react to sudden stops
Running red lights – Deliberately ignoring traffic-control devices
Street racing – Engaging in speed competitions on public roads
Driving under the influence – Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Road rage – Using a vehicle as a weapon to intimidate or harm others
Texting while driving – Using mobile devices in ways that create obvious safety hazards

Alabama Reckless Driving Laws

Section 32-5A-190 of the Code of Alabama defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle “carelessly … in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of persons or property, or without due caution … and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property.”

In other words, reckless driving is not merely careless driving. It is choosing to drive dangerously despite knowing the obvious risks such actions create.

How Reckless Driving Causes Crashes

Reckless behaviors dramatically increase crash risks by reducing drivers’ ability to respond to changing road conditions. For example, when drivers speed excessively, they have less time to react to hazards and need more distance to stop. Aggressive lane changes and tailgating create dangerous situations where minor miscalculations can lead to serious collisions. Such reckless behaviors often trigger chain reactions involving multiple vehicles.

Distractions take a driver’s attention from the road during critical moments. At highway speeds, looking away for just a few seconds means traveling the length of a football field without watching the road.

Impaired driving affects judgment, reaction time, and motor skills. Drivers under the influence often fail to recognize dangerous situations until it is too late to avoid them.

Injuries Caused by Reckless Driving Car Accidents

The high-speed, high-impact nature of reckless driving crashes often results in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods. A few examples of potential injuries in reckless driving crashes include:

Traumatic brain injuries – Concussions, skull fractures, and other head trauma that can cause lasting cognitive problems
Spinal cord damage – Injuries that may result in partial or complete paralysis
Broken bones – Fractures that may require surgery and subsequent rehabilitation
Internal injuries – Damage to organs and severe bleeding that can be life-threatening without immediate treatment
Severe lacerations – Deep cuts that may cause permanent scarring or disfigurement
Burn injuries – Particularly common in crashes involving fires or chemical spills

In many cases, reckless driving victims face permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and enjoy life as they did before the crash.

Penalties for Reckless Driving in Huntsville

Alabama law treats reckless driving as a serious offense, which is why it carries significant criminal penalties like the following:

First offense – Up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $500
Subsequent offenses – Up to six months in jail and fines of up to $500
License suspension – Possible suspension of driving privileges
Points on driving record – Six points added to the driver’s record

Criminal charges can bolster a victim’s personal injury claim against a reckless driver, even though civil and criminal cases are separate matters. Most personal injury cases are based on the legal concept of negligence – that someone behaved carelessly under the circumstances, caused an accident, and injured someone else as a result. A criminal conviction can establish a reckless driver as negligent per se, a legal term meaning they are presumed to have acted negligently because they violated a law meant to prevent accidents.

However, you do not need to wait for criminal proceedings to conclude before pursuing your civil claim. Our attorneys can begin investigating your case and building your claim while criminal charges are pending. You could still have a valid personal injury claim even if the other driver is not charged with reckless driving, the charges are dropped, or the reckless driver is acquitted.

Liability in Reckless Driving Accidents

If a reckless driver injured you, you can hold them financially liable for the harm you suffered as a result. However, Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule, which could significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Under this rule, if your negligence contributed to the accident in any way, you may be barred from recovering any compensation at all.

This harsh rule makes it crucial to have experienced legal representation to thoroughly investigate the crash and build a strong case showing the other driver bears full responsibility. Our attorneys can build a solid argument based on evidence such as:

Police reports and eyewitness statements
Traffic camera footage and surveillance videos
Cell phone records that may show distracted driving
Vehicle maintenance records and inspection reports
Expert analysis of the crash scene and vehicle damage

Get Help from Our Huntsville Reckless Driving Accident Lawyers

Do not let a reckless driver’s dangerous choices leave you struggling with medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain future. Instead, contact Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. today to discuss your case with our Huntsville reckless driving accident lawyers and learn how we can help you seek justice. The consultation is free and comes with no strings attached.