People who make dangerous decisions have a tendency to ignore how their actions could have consequences for other people. They become so focused on their own desires that they don’t stop to think about the ramifications.
Reckless drivers, in particular, may be more focused on their own schedule or desire for fun than on the safety of the people who share the road with them. They don’t stop to wonder about the possible consequences until it’s too late. If you get hurt by someone driving in a reckless or irresponsible way in Waco, you may wish that there was some way to teach them a lesson about how their decisions have consequences for other people.
Thankfully, the law in Texas does create civil options for those who get hurt by reckless or negligent drivers. Filing a lawsuit against someone who hurt you or damaged your property could be the perfect way to teach them not to do the same thing in the future.
A lawsuit makes sure they don’t walk away without consequence
Sometimes, even when a reckless driver causes a crash, the only legal consequence is a traffic citation. That could mean they only have to pay a small fine, while you’re stuck dealing with major property damage or lasting injuries.
Although you and law enforcement may suspect reckless driving, there may simply not be adequate evidence to prove it. At least, the evidence available may not be sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that reckless driving occurred. However, the same evidence may very well meet the necessary standards for evidence in civil trials.
Documentation that someone was texting or otherwise engaging in reckless or negligent behavior, like excessively exceeding the speed limit, could be enough to win a civil court case even if it wasn’t enough to bring criminal charges.
The financial consequences of a lawsuit can last for years
You may have to deal with tens of thousands of dollars worth of fallout from a crash. From medical expenses that persist for years to damage to a nice vehicle, the costs can quickly add up after a collision. These costs can often far exceed the liability coverage the responsible driver carried on their vehicle.
A civil lawsuit allows you to pass those expenses that exceeded insurance coverage on to the person responsible for the collision. That could mean that the other driver winds up paying for the accident they caused for many years, which will hopefully be enough to keep them from endangering others in the future.
If you find yourself wondering about whether you could qualify for compensation under Texas personal injury laws, sitting down with an attorney can help you make an informed decision about your options.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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