One moment, you’re on the road and you think you’re following all the rules. The next, you’ve been pulled over and the officer hands you a ticket. Or maybe you were in a hurry so you were driving a little faster and more aggressively than normal. Now the officer might want to take you to jail. Both of these situations are disorienting and frightening, especially if you’re not sure what kind of charges you’re facing.
Whether you’ve just been pulled over or you’re facing an upcoming court date, understanding the difference between careless driving and reckless driving in Florida is important. If you’re not prepared, you could face a conviction that hurts you now and in the future.
If you’re struggling to understand your charges, you need to act now by calling a Tampa traffic ticket attorney at Hersem Law.
Careless driving, unlike reckless driving, is a non-criminal offense and that means it could lead to points being assessed to your license, an insurance increase, and some court fines if you’re found guilty. Often, these tickets are issued when someone causes an accident, but the police and the other drivers didn’t see what caused the accident.
For example, let’s say you were in a rear-end collision with another driver, and you were the one who made impact from behind. The police weren’t present to witness the accident, but they may assume that you were texting, distracted, or drowsy and issue you a ticket for careless driving.
Reckless driving is more serious because it’s considered much more dangerous. Unlike careless driving, reckless driving is a criminal offense, which means you could face fines, license suspension, and even jail time for your case. No one wants to deal with the stigma of a jail sentence after you’re released, let alone the increased insurance costs.
The big difference between careless and reckless driving is that reckless driving often means there’s an alleged “willful and wanton” disregard for the safety of others. For example, driving far over the speed limit or driving aggressively, also called “road rage,” can sometimes lead to a reckless driving ticket.
Although it is much more serious than a careless driving offense, some situations leave people actually wanting to see a reckless driving charge on their record. It may sound odd, but the penalties for reckless driving are much less severe than the penalties for DUI. There are many people facing DUI charges today that would love nothing more than to have their case reduced to a reckless driving. If you ever find yourself in that situation, let us know and an attorney from our firm can help you push to have your DUI charge reduced to a reckless driving charge.
Whether you’ve been ticketed for careless driving or arrested for reckless driving, you’re in trouble, and even the lesser penalties for careless driving are more than you should have to deal with. Knowing the difference between careless and reckless driving is only half the battle.
Now, you’ll need to know how to effectively fight back against the charge you’re facing. You need a strong legal defense. That’s where a lawyer from Hersem Law comes in.
We understand how tough it can be to fight back when you’ve been accused of something as serious as reckless driving. That’s why we offer free strategy sessions—you can talk to a lawyer at our firm first so you know what to expect before your court date.
Ready to get started? Call 813-251-7291 or visit us online to learn more about our services.
Hersem Law is a full-service law firm representing diverse clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our combination of criminal and civil law experience allows us to understand all of our clients' needs and ensure their objectives are met. We're always working toward the most effective, immediate resolution while taking precautions to avoid potential problems. Attorney Christopher Hersem is a native Floridian and Tampa speeding ticket lawyer who was born and raised in Clearwater. He is dedicated to helping Floridians win their cases.When you need a defense attorney in Tampa, give our firm a call.... View full business profile here: Hersem Law
