At the Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston car accident attorneys know reckless driving is a crime in Texas. It is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to a $200 fine, license suspensions, and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Our Harris County personal injury lawyers also know the civil consequences of reckless driving, which cost responsible drivers and vehicle occupants much more. When reckless driving ends in a collision, as it often does, other motorists can be catastrophically injured or killed.
Unfortunately, reckless driving is common across the nation. Here, we discuss some types of reckless driving so other motorists can avoid these dangerous acts and get home safely.
What is the Definition of Reckless Driving in Texas?
According to the Texas Transportation Code, reckless driving occurs when an individual operates a motor vehicle on a public road with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or personal property.
According to Texas state law, everyday actions that qualify as reckless driving include, but are not limited to:
- Driving in a way that damages property.
- Driving in any way that threatens someone else’s life.
- Driving inappropriately for the weather/road conditions.
- Driving while distracted or impaired.
- Excessive speeding.
- Failing to stop when signaled to do so by police.
- Street racing.
- Unpredictable or erratic lane changes or driving in the wrong lane.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, other aggressive driving maneuvers that fall outside of the official reckless definition but cause a significant number of collisions, injuries, and fatalities in Texas include:
- Blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes.
- Changing lanes without signaling.
- Cutting in front of another driver, then slowing down.
- Passing a vehicle on the wrong side of the road.
- Running red lights or stop signs.
- Tailgating
Aggressive and reckless drivers are more likely to engage in other high-risk activities than other motorists, including driving while intoxicated, failing to wear seat belts, participating in hit-and-run accidents, and driving without insurance. These and other careless behaviors can make these drivers challenging to pursue after a crash with injuries occurs. This is why we are here. You do not have to investigate your crash’s circumstances on your own. We can help.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas, for Help with Your Injury Claim
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life during a car accident caused by a reckless driver in Texas, contact our dedicated Houston personal injury lawyers at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today by calling (713)-637-4560 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Our skilled bilingual personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.
