Each year, reckless driving causes thousands of catastrophic car accidents across the United States, including in Georgia. When this happens, the responsible driver can face criminal and civil charges.
For example, on Jan. 17, Fulton County authorities charged an out-of-state truck driver with causing a deadly tractor-trailer crash on I-20 between I-285 and Fulton Industrial Boulevard. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the trucker was driving his tractor-trailer east at around 7:30 p.m. when he managed to overturn his vehicle and smash into the concrete barrier dividing the eastbound and westbound lanes. His vehicle also hit another tractor-trailer and two passenger vehicles, all of which were in the eastbound lanes. Debris from the concrete barrier flew into the westbound lanes and struck two more vehicles. The driver of one of those vehicles, a 20-year-old Carrollton man, was killed. Three other people were hurt in the accident.
The defendant, a 53-year-old resident of Hialeah, Florida, was arrested and charged with making an improper lane change, following too closely and second-degree homicide by vehicle. He was transported to Fulton County Jail for processing and held in lieu of a $25,000 bond. I-20 was shut down for 10 hours while crews cleared the scene. The concrete barrier will be rebuilt at a later date.
Victims of reckless driving motor vehicle accidents have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court. This type of lawsuit can be filed in addition to any criminal charges that are filed. If the suit is successful, the victim might be awarded compensation for various crash-related damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Victims may learn more about their legal rights by contacting an attorney.
Source: AJC, “Florida man charged in deadly crash that shut down I-20 for hours,” Zachary Hansen, Jan. 18, 2019
