Reckless driving goes beyond simple mistakes or momentary inattention. This behavior represents a willful disregard for safety that puts everyone on the road in danger. In Kansas City, reckless drivers are more common than many people realize, committing dangerous acts like weaving through traffic at excessive speeds, running red lights, aggressively tailgating other vehicles, and more. When someone’s reckless driving causes an accident, the victims have the right to pursue justice for every way that the collision has affected their lives.
Reckless Driving Laws in Kansas City
Kansas law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. This is a misdemeanor criminal offense with escalating penalties:
- A first offense carries 5 to 90 days of imprisonment and fines between $25 and $500.
- Subsequent offenses result in harsher consequences: 10 days to 6 months in jail and fines ranging from $50 to $500.
Missouri law prohibits careless and imprudent driving. The state requires all drivers to exercise the highest degree of care while operating their vehicles. Violations fall into two categories:
- Class B misdemeanors apply when drivers fail to meet this standard, carrying up to six months in jail and fines up to $500.
- Class A misdemeanors apply when this failure causes an accident, with penalties increasing to one year of incarceration and fines up to $1,000.
How to Prove Reckless Driving in a Car Accident Claim
If you have been injured by a reckless driver, you have the right to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit for the harm that you have suffered. However, proving reckless driving requires compelling evidence that demonstrates the at-fault driver’s willful disregard for safety.
Several types of evidence can strengthen your claim:
- Police reports often document the officer’s observations and any citations issued at the scene.
- Witness statements from other drivers or pedestrians who saw the reckless behavior provide valuable third-party perspectives.
- Traffic camera footage, dashcam videos, and surveillance recordings can capture the actual incident and the moments leading up to it.
- Cell phone records may reveal whether the driver was texting or calling while driving.
- Expert accident reconstruction can demonstrate how the driver’s actions directly caused the collision.
Criminal Charges vs. Civil Liability for Reckless Driving
When a reckless driver causes your accident, two separate legal paths may unfold. Criminal charges are brought by the state prosecutor to punish the reckless driver and protect public safety. If convicted, the driver faces penalties like jail time, fines, and points on their license. However, a criminal case doesn’t compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Your civil claim is entirely separate from any criminal case. You file this claim to recover financial compensation for your injuries and losses. The good news is that you don’t need to wait for criminal charges or a conviction to pursue your civil case. You can move forward with your claim regardless of whether the driver faces criminal prosecution.
Hold Reckless Drivers Accountable for Your Injuries
Reckless drivers make conscious choices to endanger everyone around them. When their dangerous behavior causes a collision, Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe will help you hold them accountable. Our Kansas City car accident lawyers know how to build strong cases that demonstrate the full extent of a reckless driver’s liability. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 to discuss your reckless driving accident case and learn how we can help you rebuild your life.