Both negligent drivers and reckless drivers can cause car accidents that injure others. Every time you drive in Kentucky, you are at the mercy of the drivers around you. Any mistakes they make could lead to an accident, even if you are driving perfectly.
But how are these actions different? How does recklessness stand apart from negligence?
A duty to drive safely
Kentucky legal statutes note that anyone driving a vehicle needs to do so “with regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles.” The law also states that someone should not operate their vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers others.
The big difference here is simply intent. With recklessness, the driver understands that what they are doing is dangerous and chooses to do it anyway. An example could be someone who drives through a school zone at 100 miles per hour or an aggressive driver who weaves back and forth between traffic lanes. They know that this violates their duty of care to drive safely, but they decide to take that risk.
Negligence, on the other hand, is often when someone makes an accidental mistake. For example, a driver who looks at their GPS and drifts over the centerline may cause an accident. They did not mean to do anything dangerous, but they still failed to take the proper steps to ensure they were driving safely, so they are liable for the crash.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident someone else caused, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and more.