Reckless driving is reckless driving, regardless of your location, age or experience. When you get behind the wheel, you should realize the importance of following the rules of the road and making decisions that will keep you safe.

At the same time, you should realize that other drivers are not always as safe as you. There are people out there who make poor decisions while on the road, never thinking about what this could mean to them and other drivers.

According to FindLaw, reckless driving is defined as follows: “Reckless driving is driving with a willful or wanton disregard for safety or the operation of a vehicle in which you show a willful disregard of consequences.”

Many people look at reckless driving and see nothing more than something that can get them in trouble with the law. For example, some state traffic laws say that racing another vehicle automatically qualifies as reckless driving. While this can lead to legal trouble for those involved, such as a fine and license suspension, it can also cause an accident.

There are times when a person’s reckless driving causes an accident that results in one or more innocent people being injured or killed.

Even with strict laws in place to protect against reckless driving, some people don’t care to follow the rules of the road. Instead, they do what they want, when they want.

In the event that a person is injured by a reckless driver, the negligent party may be held responsible. This is why many people in this position consult with a personal injury attorney.

Source: FindLaw, “Reckless Driving” accessed Jan. 20, 2015