Reckless drivers in Springfield, Missouri put everyone at risk through aggressive maneuvers, excessive speeds, and dangerous decisions that violate Missouri traffic laws.
If you’ve been injured by someone driving this way, our reckless driver accident attorneys in Springfield can help you recover compensation.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we know Missouri law inside and out, including how another drivers careless and imprudent driving charges can strengthen your injury claim.
The insurance companies will try to minimize what happened to you, but we won’t let them. When you work with our Springfield reckless driver accident lawyers, you get a team that takes these cases personally.
We handle the legal battles while you focus on healing, and we don’t collect a fee unless we win your case. Contact us now for a free consultation.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in Missouri
Missouri law refers to dangerous driving as “careless and imprudent driving.” Under Missouri statute § 304.012, all drivers must operate their vehicles with the highest degree of care. When a driver willfully ignores the safety of others on the road, their conduct may meet this legal standard.
Common examples of reckless behavior that lead to crashes include:
- Excessive speeding or street racing
- Weaving through traffic or making aggressive lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Tailgating at high speeds
- Driving while drunk or impaired by drugs
- Road rage behavior directed at other drivers
Do You Have a Case Against a Reckless Driver
If a reckless driver caused your crash and you suffered injuries, you most likely have a valid personal injury claim. To recover compensation, we need to prove four things: the driver had a legal duty to drive safely, they violated that duty through reckless behavior, that behavior caused your crash, and you suffered real losses as a result.
Reckless conduct actually makes proving a breach of duty easier. When a driver gets a ticket for careless and imprudent driving, that citation can serve as direct evidence of their negligence in your civil case.
How We Build Your Case
When you hire our Springfield reckless driver accident attorneys, we get to work immediately. Evidence disappears fast, and we know what to look for before it’s gone.
We gather the evidence needed to prove fault and document your losses, including:
- Police reports and traffic citations: A citation issued at the scene can support your claim directly.
- Video footage: We request dashcam recordings, traffic camera footage, and nearby business surveillance video.
- Witness statements: We track down anyone who saw the reckless driving or the crash itself.
- Cell phone records: If distraction played a role, we can request records to show the driver was on their phone.
- Accident reconstruction: We work with experts who can scientifically explain how the crash happened.
Once we have a clear picture of what occurred, we calculate the full value of your claim and take it to the insurance company.
What to Do After a Reckless Driver Crash in Springfield
The steps you take right after a crash can make or break your case. Here is what we recommend:
- Call 911: Report the crash and request medical help. A police report creates an official record and may include a citation against the reckless driver.
- Get medical care: Accept treatment at the scene even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries, especially head and spine injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
- Document everything: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries while you are still at the scene.
- Collect witness information: Ask anyone nearby for their name and phone number.
- Do not give a recorded statement: The other driver’s insurance company will likely call you. Do not provide a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact us: The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can preserve evidence and protect your rights.
What Compensation Can You Recover
Missouri law allows you to seek compensation for both the financial and personal impact of the crash. Most claims include a combination of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses:
- Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, and physical therapy
- Future medical treatment if your injuries require ongoing care
- Lost wages while you were unable to work
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
Non-economic damages cover the personal toll of the crash:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities and hobbies
Our car accident lawyers in Springfield work to make sure nothing is left out of your claim. Many people don’t realize the full extent of their damages until they sit down with our team.
Are Punitive Damages Available for Reckless Driving
Yes. In cases involving extreme or deliberate recklessness, Missouri courts may award punitive damages on top of your regular compensation. These damages are not tied to your losses. They exist to punish the at-fault driver and deter others from behaving the same way.
If the driver who hit you was street racing, driving drunk, or acting with a complete disregard for everyone around them, we will evaluate whether a punitive damages claim is appropriate in your case.
How Criminal Charges and Civil Claims Work Together
A criminal charge or traffic citation against the reckless driver is separate from your civil claim, but the two are connected. Here is how they differ:
Factor | Criminal Case | Your Civil Claim |
Purpose | Punish the driver | Compensate you |
Who files | State prosecutor | You and your attorney |
Burden of proof | Beyond a reasonable doubt | More likely than not |
Outcome | Fines, jail, license suspension | Financial recovery for you |
A guilty plea or conviction makes proving negligence in your civil case significantly easier. Even without one, we can still build a strong case on your behalf.
What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene
If the reckless driver had no insurance or left the scene, you still have options. Missouri law requires all drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist coverage, known as UM coverage. This part of your own auto policy can step in to cover your medical bills and other losses when the at-fault driver cannot.
We identify every available source of recovery, including your own policy, to make sure you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s dangerous choices.
What If You Are Partly at Fault
Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame onto the victim to reduce what they owe. Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule, found in Missouri Revised Statutes § 537.765, protects you from being shut out of compensation entirely.
Under this rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 7% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you can still recover $93,000. Our Springfield reckless driver accident lawyers push back hard against any attempt by insurers to unfairly inflate your share of the blame.
How Long Do You Have to File in Missouri
Missouri law imposes time limits for filing personal injury lawsuits, so it’s important to consult an attorney promptly after a crash to protect your rights. Wrongful death claims are subject to filing deadlines, so it’s important to contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Five years may sound like plenty of time, but waiting puts your case at risk. Surveillance footage gets deleted, witnesses forget details, and physical evidence disappears. Contacting our Springfield car accident lawyers early gives us the best chance to build the strongest possible case for you.
Springfield Reckless Driver Accident FAQs
Can You Go to Jail for Careless and Imprudent Driving in Missouri?
Yes. Careless and imprudent driving is a misdemeanor offense in Missouri; if an accident is involved, it can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,000.
Does a Traffic Ticket Issued to the Reckless Driver Help My Civil Case?
Yes. A citation for careless and imprudent driving is direct evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen your claim for compensation.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If the Reckless Driver Had No Insurance?
Yes. Missouri’s required Uninsured Motorist coverage allows you to file a claim through your own policy when the at-fault driver is uninsured or unidentified.
What Happens to My Claim If I Was Partially at Fault for the Crash?
Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover. Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule means there is no threshold that cuts off your right to recover damages.
Does Beck & Beck Charge Any Fees Upfront?
No. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless and until we recover money for you.
Contact Our Springfield Reckless Driver Accident Lawyers
You only get one shot at recovering fair compensation after a crash. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we have been fighting for injured Missourians since 1990, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you.
We offer free consultations, we are available around the clock, and you will never owe us a fee unless we win. Contact us online today to get started.
