Legalities Caused by Reckless Driving
Reckless driving may cause various legal problems for the guilty party. The definition of reckless driving may vary from state to state, but most define it as operating a vehicle in a method that displays "reckless" or "willful" disregard for the safety of others, including passengers, other drivers and pedestrians. Some of the legal problems that may occur include fines, criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and imprisonment.
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Fines
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If a motorist is convicted of reckless driving, he may be subject to fines imposed by legal authorities. These fines will vary from state to state, depending on local laws and jurisdictions. Most states have legislation in place that increases the fines for repeat offenders of local reckless driving laws. For example, drivers convicted of reckless driving in Alabama for the first time can be fined as low as $25, but that "low water mark" rises to $50 for those convicted a second time.
Criminal Charges
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Reckless driving is a criminal offense in most states. A reckless driving conviction can be considered either a felony or misdemeanor. Minor offenses may be classified as a misdemeanor, but more serious offenses may be turned into a felonies if circumstances are especially dangerous to other people. Most state laws specify particular circumstances that cause a reckless driving conviction to be classified as a felony.
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Bodily Injury
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State laws often impose heavier punishment for a reckless driving conviction if the incident involved bodily injury to another person. This may come in the form of a higher monetary punishment or increased jail time. For example, in California, a reckless driving conviction not resulting in bodily injury will incur a minimum of five days in jail and a fine of $145. However, if the incident resulted in bodily injury of another person, the minimum fine is $220 and the minimum jail sentence increases to 30 days.
Civil Lawsuits
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If the reckless driving incident causes damages to a person or property, then the injured party may sue the offender in a civil lawsuit. The victim may be entitled to monetary compensation proportional to damages suffered as a result of the reckless driving incident, according to CrimeVictimLaw.com. Not only may the reckless driver be hurt financially by the court judgment, he may also have to pay large legal fees for his own representation and that of the plaintiff.
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References
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