Were you involved in a motor vehicle accident? If so, did you know what steps to take and what information to gather straight after the incident? On the other hand, you might not have been involved in a car crash; however, it is still important to know what to do in the event of an accident.

Therefore, the question that begs is what should you do in the event of a motor vehicle accident; especially, if you caused the crash?

What is reckless driving?

Before we look at several tips to help you navigate your way around a reckless driving in Colorado incident, let’s look at the legal definition of reckless driving:

According to the online legal dictionary, reckless driving is the “operation of an automobile in a dangerous manner.” The phrase “dangerous manner” can be further categorised into the following sub-categories:

  • Speeding: driving too fast for the current road conditions even if the driver is still within the designated speed limit. It is logical to assume that driving 40 miles per hour on a dry road is far different to driving the same speed on the same roadway in a heavy rainstorm.
  • Driving under the Influence (DUI): A driver does not have to be totally intoxicated to be negatively influenced by the alcohol or drugs (albeit legal like marijuana). The legal Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) in the USA is 0.08%. However, a driver can still be arrested if s(he) is believed to be “Under the Influence” irrespective of the measured BAC.
  • Aggressive driving: According to a 2016 study conducted amongst American drivers, it was determined that 80% of US drivers have engaged in aggressive driving at one time or another. The definition of aggressive driving includes tailgating (driving too close to the vehicle in front), hooting unnecessarily, swerving past too close to the vehicle in front, ramming vehicles, and trying to push other vehicles off the road.

What to do in the event of reckless driving

The most important thing to do should you be stopped by the police for reckless driving or if you are involved in a reckless driving accident is to contact a legal specialist who will be able to defend you in a court of law.

Unfortunately, reckless driving is legally seen as a misdemeanour crime. Succinctly stated, there is a difference between a felony and a misdemeanour crime. Thus, a misdemeanour is less severe, so it is typically punished less severely than a felony crime. And, a misdemeanour carries a monetary penalty usually.

However, it must be noted that a misdemeanour can become a felony or a more serious crime. A repeat offender, for example, can be charged with a felony offence. Very often, the context determines the seriousness. For example, a first-time DUI where the driver is only slightly over the legal BAC limit would normally be charged as a misdemeanour crime. However, if the same driver with the same BAC causes an accident that results in the death of other road users, it becomes a felony crime.

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