Catastrophic Injuries from Reckless Driving Accidents

You have likely seen a reckless driver whizzing past you on the highway – weaving in and out of lanes, tailgating, and otherwise engaging in aggressive driving behavior. Reckless driving and speeding can kill, and those who survive a crash caused by a reckless driver often come away with life-altering, catastrophic injuries.

What does North Carolina law consider reckless driving?

In North Carolina, driving “carelessly and heedlessly or in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others,” or “without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or likely to endanger any person or property” is considered reckless driving (NC Gen St § 20-140). It might look like:

• Driving while intoxicated
• Texting while driving
• Excessive speeding

What is a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries are the ones that lead to a life-altering change in the way you live. Some examples of catastrophic injuries from a car crash include:

• Burn injuries that result from fire or explosion after the crash.
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries, which can range in severity from terrible headaches to a coma or persistent vegetative state.
• Traumatic amputation or limb loss, which can often occur when a person is ejected from the vehicle in a high-speed crash.
• Spinal cord injury, which can result in total or partial paralysis.
• Loss of vision caused by a traumatic brain injury or by projectiles to the face.
• Organ damage and/or internal bleeding.

If you sustain a catastrophic injury in a car accident, you may have grounds for a negligence lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash as well as the owner of the vehicle.   If the driver who caused the crash was working at the time of the crash, his or her employer may be responsible for your injuries.

What damages are available after a catastrophic injury?

If you are successful in holding the at-fault driver liable for your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Your medical expenses related to the crash from hospital bills to rehabilitation and any out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Lost income from missing time at work
• Lost income due to impaired earning capacity or shortened work life expectancy
• Pain and suffering from the injury
• Emotional distress from the trauma of being involved in the crash
• Permanent disability
• Other damages

A skilled North Carolina car accident lawyer can explain the legal options available to you, and we can make sure that you recover all of the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a car, motorcycle or bicycle accident in the Charlotte area, contact Warren & Kallianos, PLLC, today. We can review your case, explain your legal rights and take immediate steps to pursue all compensation you are due. Call 704-377-7777 or reach us online today for a free consultation.