On This page
    reckless driving

    Reckless driving ruins the lives of the victims and their families. When a driver ignores the posted speed limit, runs a red light, or weaves through traffic on I-26, a normal trip can turn into a serious auto accident in seconds.

    Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has guided injured South Carolinians through car accident cases. Our legal team investigates your crash, shields you from bill collectors and the insurance company, and seeks every penny of compensation the law allows.

    If a reckless driver hurt you or someone you love, get a free consultation with a South Carolina reckless driving accident lawyer today.

    Nationwide Reckless Driving Accident Statistics You Should Know

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates around 40,990 people died in U.S. traffic crashes during 2023. In addition, 11,775 speeding deaths in a certain year due to reckless behavior.

    These numbers show just how dangerous it is when drivers ignore speed limits and other safety rules. Every day, on major highways like I-95 and even quiet county roads, reckless choices put lives at risk.

    Understanding Reckless Driving Under South Carolina Law

    Most motor vehicle accidents are caused by negligent driving, meaning the driver failed to use reasonable care.  Common examples include glancing at a phone and rear-ending another vehicle or rolling through a stop sign. South Carolina law treats reckless driving more severely. Under S.C. Code § 56-5-2920, a motorist commits reckless driving when operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of persons or property.

    Examples include:

    • Driving 25 mph or more above the speed limit
    • Street racing
    • Fleeing from police after lights and sirens come on
    • Passing around a stopped school bus or on a blind curve
    • Tailgating, cutting off, swerving or other behaviors commonly called “road rage”

    Because these actions involve conscious disregard, your lawyer may demand punitive damages on top of your ordinary compensatory damages.

    What To Do If You Encounter a Reckless Driver on South Carolina Roads

    1. Create distance: Slow down, change lanes, or exit.
    2. Do not retaliate: Brake-checking or racing only raises crash risk.
    3. Avoid eye contact or gestures: Road rage can make matters worse.
    4. Note details safely after you stop: Plate number, vehicle color, location, and direction help police.
    5. Call HP (*47 on mobile) or 911: Give dispatchers facts, not emotion.
    6. Put safety first: Arriving late is better than not arriving at all.

    Penalties for Reckless Driving in South Carolina and How They Influence Your Car Accident Claim

    The state’s criminal case is separate from your civil car accident claim. In criminal court, the state attempts to punish offenders for violating the law. In civil court, the injured individual (you) seeks compensation from the other party for damages they caused or for civil rights violations.

    Offense Criminal Penalties License Points Possible Civil Impact
    First conviction Up to 30 days in jail or up to $200 fine 6 points Police reports and convictions help prove “willful or wanton disregard,” supporting punitive damages.
    Second conviction within 5 years Up to 90 days in jail or up to $500 fine; mandatory license suspension possible 6 points plus potential suspension Pattern of reckless conduct strengthens liability claim and may justify higher settlement.
    Reckless vehicular homicide Felony, up to 10 years imprisonment; license revoked five years N/A Criminal case record supplies powerful evidence for wrongful-death suits.

    The state’s criminal case is separate from your civil car accident claim. In criminal court, the state attempts to punish offenders for violating the law. In civil court, the injured individual (you) seeks compensation from the other party for damages they caused or for civil rights violations.

    Potential Compensation Available for Reckless Driving Accident Victims in South Carolina

    A successful personal injury claim can recover both economic and non-economic losses:

    • Medical Expenses: emergency transport, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medicine, mobility aids, and projected future care.
    • Lost Income: Paychecks missed while healing and any permanent impact on future income.
    • Damages: Repair or replacement of your automobile, a rental vehicle during repairs, and personal items ruined in the crash.
    • Pain and Suffering: Ongoing pain, scarring, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and relationship strain.
    • Punitive Damages: Additional compensation is meant to punish willful or wanton disregard.

    How We Prove Reckless Driving in Your Case Attorneys at Joye Law Firm's Myrtle Beach office

    If you need a reliable legal team to handle any reckless driving case, here’s how Joye Law Firm holds negligent drivers accountable and pursues full financial compensation to help you recover.

    1. Start With the Basics at the Accident Scene

    Every reckless driving accident case begins with evidence collected right where the car crash happened. Photographs, video, skid marks, debris patterns, and the posted speed limit help show how the wreck unfolded. We also obtain witness statements and the official police report, which often notes speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, road rage, or other reckless behavior

    2. Investigate Into the Driver’s Actions

    South Carolina law defines reckless driving as operating a motor vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. To prove that standard, we look for:

    • Speed data from the vehicle’s event recorder or nearby traffic cameras
    • Cell phone records that may confirm texting, social media use, or other distracted driving
    • Toxicology results indicating alcohol or drug use in drunk driving accidents
    • Witness statements from other drivers and pedestrians who saw the aggressive driving
    • Dash cam or surveillance footage from local businesses or other drivers

    These sources create a clear picture of driver negligence and help us show the insurance company that its policyholder is legally responsible.

    3. Connect the Reckless Act to Your Injuries

    After an automobile accident, it is not enough to show unsafe conduct. We must also link that conduct to your injuries and losses. Our South Carolina personal injury lawyer team gathers:

    • Emergency department notes, follow-up medical records, and imaging that document head trauma, fractures, or other severe injuries
    • Proof of medical expenses, ongoing therapy, and future care needs
    • Employer statements and pay records that establish lost wages and diminished earning capacity

    In serious accidents involving life-altering injuries or wrongful death, we may work with medical experts and economists to project long-term costs so that any car accident settlement reflects the claim’s full value.

    4. Expose Patterns of Reckless Behavior

    Some drivers have a history of speeding tickets, prior car accidents caused by aggressive driving, or citations for driving recklessly. We search public records for earlier violations, which can strengthen the argument that the defendant acted with wanton disregard on the day of your auto accident.

    5. Show How the Crash Affects Your Life

    Reckless driving accident victims face more than medical bills. Pain, limited mobility, anxiety behind the wheel, and family disruptions all matter. We often keep a journal of day-to-day challenges, gather testimony from friends, and use cutting-edge technology to document the toll of severe injuries. These personal details support a fair compensation demand for non-economic losses.

    6. Handle the Insurance Company While You Heal

    Insurers move quickly after motor vehicle accidents, sometimes urging car accident victims to accept a low offer. We shield you from that pressure. A South Carolina car accident attorney on our team reviews every communication, prepares the demand package, and negotiates for a settlement that covers medical expenses, property damage, and future needs. If the carrier refuses to pay what is owed, we are ready to file a personal injury lawsuit and prove negligence in court.

    7. Preserve Crucial Physical Evidence

    Modern passenger cars, commercial trucks, and even a rental vehicle may store valuable electronic data. We send preservation letters so key information is not erased. When needed, accident reconstruction specialists download and interpret that data to show breaking force, acceleration, and steering inputs that point to negligent driving.

    8. Build the Timeline

    A clear timeline highlights critical moments: when the reckless driver drifted from a lane, when a distraction began, how many seconds passed before the car wreck, and when emergency responders arrived. This sequence helps jurors and claims adjusters understand how quickly a routine drive turned into a devastating collision.

    9. Identify Every Source of Recovery

    Reckless driving can create multiple paths to payment. Besides the at-fault driver’s liability policy, we explore underinsured motorist coverage, excess policies, and claims against third parties, such as a bar that overserved a drunk driver. The goal is to secure enough coverage to address current and future costs.

    10. Get our No Fee Guarantee

    While many injured parties worry about affording legal help, we believe quality legal representation should be available to all South Carolinians. That’s why our firm offers a No Fee Guarantee.  That means you owe won’t owe us an attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.

    Call Our Reckless Driving Accident Attorney to Help Your Case

    Reckless driving crashes often leave victims facing far more than just a damaged vehicle. From emergency room visits and surgeries to months of physical therapy and missed paychecks, the impact can be overwhelming. While you focus on recovery, Joye Law Firm’s legal team handles every call, record request, and negotiation.

    Our team combines personalized legal care with cutting-edge technology to manage your case efficiently and keep you informed every step of the way. We work closely with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and financial planners to build the strongest claim possible on your behalf. At Joye Law Firm, your case won’t get passed around, you’ll have a dedicated attorney and case manager who know your story and are committed to your outcome.

    With decades of trial experience, we know how to hold reckless drivers fully accountable for car accident victims.

    Call us at 888-324-3100 or complete the online form to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina reckless driving accident lawyer today.

    Contact Us
    3 attorneys sitting at a table discussing a case