Hurt in an accident caused by an aggressive or reckless driver in San Bernardino, CA? Our experienced San Bernardino reckless driver accident lawyers can help you recover compensation.
When another driver in San Bernardino, California makes the conscious choice to speed excessively, weave through traffic, or drive while intoxicated, the resulting collision often leaves victims with catastrophic injuries and overwhelming medical bills.
You have the right to hold that driver accountable for choosing to endanger everyone around them.
At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, we recognize that reckless driving cases require a different legal approach than typical negligence claims. The driver’s deliberate disregard for safety opens the door to additional compensation, including punitive damages that standard accident cases rarely provide.
Our skilled San Bernardino reckless driver accident attorneys pursue claims for enhanced damages on behalf of clients in San Bernardino County, building cases that allege not just negligence but willful misconduct that California law recognizes as particularly egregious.
Your recovery from a reckless driving crash involves more than treating physical injuries. The trauma of being victimized by someone’s intentional dangerous behavior affects every aspect of your life.
Our San Bernardino legal team handles the complex investigation and aggressive litigation these cases demand, allowing you to focus on healing while we work to secure every dollar the law entitles you to receive.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in California?
Under California Vehicle Code § 23103, reckless driving means operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” In plain terms, the driver knew their actions were dangerous and did them anyway.
Common examples include:
- Driving 25 mph or more over the speed limit
- Street racing or illegal speed exhibitions
- Running red lights or stop signs intentionally
- Aggressively weaving through traffic
- Extreme tailgating to intimidate other drivers
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Illegal passing on blind curves or solid yellow lines
Do I Have a Case Against a Reckless Driver?
To bring a successful civil claim, you need to show that the driver acted recklessly, that their actions directly caused your injuries, and that you suffered real damages as a result. A police citation or criminal charge against the driver strengthens your case significantly, but it is not required. Even if criminal charges are dropped, we can still hold the driver financially accountable in civil court.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Reckless Driving Crash?
When a reckless driver causes your injuries, California law allows you to recover both your financial losses and compensation for the impact on your daily life. As your San Bernardino car accident lawyer, we fight to recover:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and any future treatment you will need
- Lost wages: Income you lost while recovering and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD caused by the crash
- Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Scarring or disfigurement: Permanent physical changes that affect your appearance or quality of life
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship if you lost a family member
Can You Get Punitive Damages in a Reckless Driver Case?
Punitive damages are extra compensation awarded on top of your regular losses, and they are designed to punish a defendant for especially dangerous behavior. Under California Civil Code § 3294, courts can award punitive damages when a driver’s conduct was malicious or showed a conscious disregard for others’ safety.
Reckless driving cases, especially those involving DUI or street racing, are among the few car accident scenarios where punitive damages are realistically available, and we pursue them aggressively on your behalf.
Who Pays if the Reckless Driver Is Uninsured or Fled the Scene?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or fled the scene, you are not without options. Your own auto policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage typically applies in both situations. We also investigate every other potential source of recovery, including:
- Employer liability: If the reckless driver was working at the time, their employer may share responsibility
- Dram shop claims: If a bar or restaurant overserved an underage driver, they may be liable under California law
- Your own UM/UIM policy: This coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver cannot fully pay for your losses
Can You Still Recover Compensation If You Are Partly at Fault?
Yes. California follows a “pure comparative fault” rule, which means you can recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the crash. Your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 but finds you 20% at fault, you still recover $80,000.
Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of the blame to reduce what they owe you. We push back hard against those tactics and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
How We Prove Recklessness in Your Case
Proving that a driver acted with willful disregard for safety requires moving fast and building a thorough case. At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, we handle personal injury cases and work to identify the evidence needed to support your claim.
Evidence We Secure Immediately
We act quickly to preserve dash-cam footage, traffic-camera video, 911 call recordings, and witness statements before they are lost or overwritten. We also obtain black box (Event Data Recorder) data from the vehicles involved, which captures exact speed and braking behavior in the moments before impact.
Coordination With Police and Prosecutors
Our team obtains complete accident reports from the California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino Police Department. If the driver faces criminal reckless driving or DUI charges, we use those proceedings to build a stronger civil case for you.
Independent Accident Reconstruction
When liability is disputed, we bring in independent accident reconstruction experts who analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions. Their findings can scientifically establish the driver’s speed, point of impact, and reckless behavior in a way that is difficult for the defense to challenge.
What to Do After a Reckless Driving Crash in San Bernardino
The steps you take immediately after a crash can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.
Call 911 and get medical care. Always call the police so the reckless behavior is documented on an official report. See a doctor right away, even if you feel fine, some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or spinal damage, do not show symptoms immediately.
Take photos and gather witness information. If it is safe, photograph the vehicles, your injuries, skid marks, and nearby traffic signals. Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who witnessed the crash.
Do not give a recorded statement. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may call you quickly after the crash. Do not give them a recorded statement; anything you say can be used to minimize your claim. Let us handle all communications on your behalf.
Where Reckless Driving Crashes Happen in San Bernardino
Reckless driving accidents are common on San Bernardino’s busiest corridors, including the I-10, I-215, and I-15 freeways. High-speed crashes also happen frequently on surface streets like Waterman Avenue and Hospitality Lane and at busy intersections near downtown San Bernardino. We know these roads well, and that local knowledge helps us build stronger cases for our clients.
How Long Do You Have to File in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government vehicle was involved, that window shrinks to just six months. Waiting too long puts your case at risk — evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade. The sooner you contact us, the better positioned your case will be.
What It Costs to Hire Krasney Law Accident Attorneys
Nothing. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Your initial consultation is always free, and we cover all case costs upfront. You can get experienced legal representation without adding to your financial burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reckless Driving Negligence Per Se in California?
“Negligence per se” means a driver is automatically presumed negligent when they violate a safety law. A reckless driving citation under Vehicle Code § 23103 often triggers this presumption, which makes proving liability in your civil case significantly easier.
How Much Is a Reckless Driver Accident Claim Worth in California?
There is no fixed amount. Tthe value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical costs, lost income, and whether punitive damages apply. We evaluate every factor carefully to pursue the maximum compensation available to you.
Will a Criminal Conviction Against the Reckless Driver Help My Civil Case?
Yes, a criminal conviction for reckless driving or DUI is powerful evidence of liability in your civil claim. However, you can still win your civil case even if the driver’s criminal charges are reduced or dismissed.
Can Passengers Sue a Reckless Driver in California?
Yes. As a passenger, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against the reckless driver regardless of which vehicle you were riding in. If the driver of your own vehicle was also at fault, you may have claims against both drivers.
What if the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
California requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many do not. If the reckless driver is uninsured, your own UM/UIM coverage typically applies, and we will work to identify every other available source of recovery on your behalf.
Talk to a San Bernardino Reckless Driver Accident Lawyer Today
Dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies after a serious crash is overwhelming. You should not have to fight for fair compensation on your own. At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, we have been standing up for injured Californians since 1987, and we bring that same personal commitment to every case we take.
We serve clients from our San Bernardino office and also maintain additional offices in Ontario and Riverside. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today to get started.
