Can you report reckless driving? How?
Driving on the road with a reckless driver can be a scary experience. You may understandably worry about your own safety and the safety of those around you.
However, you may not know how to report reckless driving in Alabama. Your quick action may help prevent a catastrophic accident.
However, despite your efforts, you may find yourself involved in an accident with a reckless driver in some cases.
In this situation, promptly contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your options for compensation against the at-fault driver.
What is Reckless Driving?
The Alabama Code Section describes reckless driving as driving a vehicle “carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for persons or the rights or safety of persons or property.”
Reckless driving may include the following types of conduct:
- Speeding,
- Refusal to use signals,
- Ignoring traffic signals like stop signs and stop lights,
- Weaving quickly in and out of traffic,
- Tailgating, and
- Road rage.
If you witness this behavior, you may wonder, How do you report reckless driving?
When witnessed, you should always report reckless driving for the safety of all concerned.
This can be as simple as dialing 911—even before an accident occurs. If you cannot dial 911, many local municipalities allow you to report reckless driving online after reaching your destination.
Reckless driving is a criminal offense.
In Alabama, the first conviction of reckless driving is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, but not less than five days, or a fine of no more than $500.00, or both.
With each subsequent conviction, these punishments increase in severity.
What Should I Do If a Reckless Driver Injures Me?
After a crash with a reckless driver, it may be challenging to have the clarity of mind to take the following steps.
However, remembering what to do will help protect your rights in a potential personal injury lawsuit.
Call 911
Immediately report a crash and request help from law enforcement. Reporting police officers create an accident report documenting essential details regarding the accident.
Your personal injury attorney uses this evidence to support your claim for compensation in your case.
Accident reports also provide information about whether any driver was at fault or committed any crimes and other vital facts.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention after an accident.
Even if you believe you suffered no injuries, some medical conditions may present themselves in the hours, days, or even weeks following an accident.
Maintaining a connection between your injuries and the accident is essential to recover the just compensation you deserve.
Gather Evidence
An essential element of any personal injury lawsuit is supporting evidence for your compensation claim. It’s vital to gather evidence at the scene of the accident. But always prioritize your health and safety.
If you are able, collect the following information:
- The names, contact information, and insurance information of all involved drivers;
- Contact information of any witnesses;
- Photographs of the scene of the accident, including the cars involved, damage, and your injuries; and
- The contact information of any reporting police officers.
The immediate aftermath of an accident can be a blur. The more information and evidence you can gather, the better—your attorney uses all of it to strengthen your case.
Contact An Attorney
Lastly, an essential step is promptly contacting a personal injury attorney.
Although a reckless driver may be held criminally responsible for their actions, recovery of compensation for your damages requires filing a personal injury lawsuit.
We Can Help You
At the Fob James Law Firm, we believe there’s no greater responsibility than providing the highest caliber legal representation to our clients in their time of need.
Our aggressive trial attorneys are driven by their passion for representing injured victims and getting them the compensation they deserve.
We work day in and day out to achieve justice and a top-dollar settlement on your behalf.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and find out how we can help you!
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.