Reckless Driving Car Accident Attorney in St. Louis

crashed car in the middle of the road

Did you sustain injuries in a car crash caused by a reckless driver? Missouri law allows eligible accident victims to pursue compensation for their physical, financial, and emotional losses through a personal injury claim. A St. Louis reckless driving attorney from Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can advocate for your interests and help you seek justice while you recover.

Our law firm has worked tirelessly to protect the interests of injured people for over 30 years. We will provide personalized attention and dedicated support to help you navigate the legal process with the least amount of stress possible. Let us demand the compensation you deserve from the person who hurt you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a reckless driving lawyer in St. Louis.

Why You Need Our Reckless Driving Car Accident Attorneys

Suffering injuries in a reckless driving car accident can leave you on a long road to recovery. Hiring the car accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can make seeking justice easier and less overwhelming. Our firm will handle all the details of your legal case so you can focus on your rehabilitation and well-being. We will push for the compensation you deserve by:

  • Investigating the crash and recovering evidence to build a compelling injury claim 
  • Leveraging our firm’s collective experience to identify a tailored, innovative strategy for pursuing maximum compensation
  • Documenting your injuries and losses to place a full and fair value on your case 
  • Identifying all sources of potential compensation, including the insurance company, at-fault driver, and any other liable parties
  • Aggressively fighting for the money you deserve, either through a settlement with the insurance company or by taking the case to trial 

Common Behaviors That Constitute Reckless Driving in St. Louis

Missouri drivers must exercise the highest degree of care behind the wheel. Yet many deliberate and careless behaviors create a substantial risk of injury to others. Common examples of reckless driving include:

  • Weaving through traffic, including rapidly darting or swerving between lanes to get ahead 
  • Crossing the center line where prohibited
  • Excessive speeding, such as driving 20 to 30 miles per hour or more over the speed limit 
  • Driving too fast for road and weather conditions
  • Street racing
  • Abrupt and unnecessary braking (“brake checking”)
  • Road rage
  • Tailgating
  • Consciously disregarding red lights and stop signs
  • Excessive acceleration (“squealing tires”)
  • Evading pursuit by law enforcement
  • Wrong-way driving
  • Texting while driving

Reckless Driving Laws in St. Louis

In Missouri, reckless driving is called “careless or imprudent driving.” Under the careless and imprudent driving statute, a motorist must operate their vehicle “so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person.”

Violating this statute constitutes a Class B misdemeanor offense in Missouri, which carries a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail and a potential fine of up to $100. However, if a motorist’s careless and imprudent driving causes an accident, the offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of $2,000.

Beyond criminal penalties, motorists who cause reckless driving car accidents may be held civilly accountable for any injuries they cause. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we represent accident victims in civil claims against reckless drivers. 

Types of Accidents Caused by Reckless Driving

Reckless driving significantly impairs a motorist’s ability to drive safely. Common types of car accidents caused by reckless driving in St. Louis include: 

  • Head-on collisions
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Sideswipes, especially when reckless drivers swerve through traffic
  • Side-impact or T-bone accidents 
  • Chain-reaction accidents or multi-vehicle collisions
  • Rollover accidents

Types of Reckless Driving Injuries and Compensation

Reckless driving car accidents can result in life-threatening and catastrophic injuries. Speed is often a factor in these collisions, making the force of impact especially violent. Common examples of injuries that occur from reckless driving accidents include:

  • Deep cuts and lacerations
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 
  • Spinal cord injury and paralysis
  • Herniated disc and other spinal injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Trauma to vital organs
  • Amputation 
  • Burns 
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Permanent disabilities

If you’ve been hurt by a reckless driver, seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other ongoing and future losses can help you get the care you need and stay financially afloat. Our reckless driving accident attorneys will pursue compensation for your:

  • Medical expenses and rehabilitation, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, pain management care, and physical therapy
  • Costs of long-term disability care, including home health services, replacement household services, purchases of orthopedic equipment, and home renovations for disability accommodations
  • Lost wages 
  • Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits 
  • Costs of vehicle repairs or reimbursement 
  • Physical pain and emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment or quality of life due to permanent disabilities or disfigurement 

In some cases, a jury in a reckless driving lawsuit may award punitive damages to an injured accident victim. Punitive damages do not compensate an accident victim for financial or personal losses. Instead, they punish a reckless driver whose egregious, willful, or wanton conduct harmed another. Punitive damages are also awarded to deter others from engaging in similar behaviors. 

Contact Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries in a car crash caused by a reckless driver, you deserve to seek financial compensation and justice. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today for a free consultation with an experienced reckless driving attorney. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and discuss your next steps with no strings attached.