Kansas City Reckless Driving Truck Accident Lawyers
Strong representation when truck drivers drive dangerously
There’s a difference between driver negligence and being a reckless driver. Negligence is losing focus for an instant. Recklessness is intentionally disregarding the safety of others. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our lawyers hold both negligent drivers and reckless drivers accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause. Our Kansas City reckless driving lawyers work with the police when criminal reckless driving charges are filed. We file punitive damages when drivers don’t care about your safety. We demand compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. Call us today to hold irresponsible drivers accountable.
How can we help?
- What is reckless truck driving?
- What are examples of reckless truck driving?
- What types of injuries does reckless truck driving cause in Kansas City?
- How do your Missouri and Kansas lawyers show reckless driving caused my accident?
- Who is responsible for a truck driving accident?
- How much can victims of reckless driving truck accidents claim in Missouri or Kansas?
- Do you have a Kansas City reckless driving truck accident lawyer near me?
What is reckless truck driving?
Missouri doesn’t use the term “reckless driving” as part of its traffic laws. Instead, Missouri uses the term "careless and imprudent driving." In Missouri, drivers can be charged with a traffic violation for failing to “exercise the highest degree of care.” Missouri law states that every motor vehicle driver:
Shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care.” A violation of this law is a class B misdemeanor. If the driver causes an accident, the offense becomes a class A misdemeanor.
Kansas does use the term reckless driving. The statute states that:
Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.” A violation of this statute is a misdemeanor.
At its core, reckless driving is about intentionally putting drivers at risk.
What are examples of reckless truck driving?
Examples of reckless driving include:
- Speeding – the higher over the speed limit, the more reckless a driver is
- Shifting lanes without looking or leaving enough room
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Tailgating
- Texting while driving and other types of driver distraction
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
What types of injuries does reckless truck driving cause in Kansas City?
Reckless drivers often cause more serious accidents than negligent drivers. Our Kansas City reckless driving lawyers represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders who suffer any type of serious injury due to reckless driving including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones/fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Nerve, ligament, tissue, tendon, or muscle damage
- Vision or hearing loss
We work with your doctors to verify your injuries, review what medical care you’ll need, determine the cost of your care, and show all the ways that your injuries are affecting every aspect of your life.
How do your Missouri and Kansas lawyers show reckless driving caused my accident?
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our truck accident lawyers work with the police and our own investigators to show that a driver’s reckless driving caused your accident. We also formally question (in writing and orally) anyone and everyone with knowledge of the accident starting with the driver. We may also work with product safety experts, traffic reconstruction experts, and experienced trucking industry professionals.
What happens if the defendant is charged with a criminal reckless driving offense?
In many cases, the police will charge a reckless driver with a traffic violation. As discussed above, this can be a failure to exercise the highest degree of care charge or a reckless driving charge. Other related Missouri and Kansas charges may include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and various traffic offenses such as speeding or driving through a red light,
In some cases, we may be able to use the conviction itself in the criminal case. In other cases, we work with the prosecution to use the evidence of the offense that they have in the civil case.
How much can victims of reckless driving truck accidents claim in Missouri or Kansas?
Our Kansas City reckless truck driving lawyers demand compensation from every responsible party for all your current and future damages including all your:
- Medical bills. These expenses include emergency room care, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, medications, and assistive devices and technology.
- Lost income and benefits. This amount includes lost wages, lost business income, and lost income if you can’t work again at full or partial capacity.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering. Reckless driving truck accident victims often suffer agony, pain, discomfort, hurts, anxiety, stress, depression, and other pain and suffering.
- Property damage. We demand compensation for the cost of fixing or repairing your vehicle.
- Other damages. These include the loss of bodily function, the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and scarring and disfigurement.
When drivers are indifferent to harming others, requiring that a defendant pay compensation often doesn’t send a strong enough message to the driver that reckless driving can’t be tolerated. Our lawyers often file a punitive damage claim to the extent Missouri and Kansas laws permit. We work to show that the driver drove with malicious intent or a conscious disregard for the safety of others.
We file wrongful death claims if a reckless driving truck accident takes the life of your loved one.
Who is responsible for a reckless truck driving accident?
The reckless truck driver is liable for a reckless driving accident. Our Kansas City reckless driving lawyers may also file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the truck driver’s employer or any trucking company that pressured the driver to drive recklessly in order to deliver their products faster.
Do you have a Kansas City reckless driving truck accident lawyer near me?
Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys has a Kansas City office located at 510 Walnut Street, Suite 1000, near City Hall. We also have offices throughout Missouri and Kansas including Lee’s Summit, St. Joseph, Blue Springs, and Parkville, MO - and Overland Park, Victory Hills, and Olathe, KS - by appointment. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we can arrange to see you at your home or a healthcare facility. Our team conducts consultations by phone and through online video conferences.
We are prepared to explain your rights, answer your questions, and steer you through the claims process.
Start your claim today by contacting our Kansas City reckless driving truck accident lawyers now
Truck drivers who drive in and out of lanes, speed excessively or drive recklessly should be held accountable for their dangerous conduct. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for your financial and personal damages. We also demand that reckless drivers pay punitive damages. To hold reckless drivers accountable, please call our KCAIA reckless truck driving lawyers or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Missouri and Kansas.