Fort Wayne Reckless Driving Charges Lawyer

Indiana attorney defends drivers accused of willful disregard for public safety

Reckless driving is a distinct Indiana traffic offense that carries criminal consequences. It is defined as taking certain actions with willful disregard for the safety of others. If you have been arrested for excessive speeding, unsafe passing or other dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, a Fort Wayne reckless driving charges lawyer at the Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey will seek the best outcome for the circumstances. We may be able to have your case dismissed entirely or to have your charges reduced. 

What is reckless driving in Indiana? 

Under Indiana Code 9-21-8-52, reckless driving can include any of the following: 

• Driving so fast or slowly that you endanger the safety or property of others or impede traffic flow
• Passing another vehicle from the rear without a clear line of sight
• Weaving in and out of a line of traffic
• Speeding up or not yielding to a driver trying to pass 
• Passing a stopped school bus when its signal arm is displayed

Sometimes people confuse reckless driving with careless driving. Even though both can cause accidents and injuries, the main difference is that reckless driving is a criminal offense, while careless driving may only be an act of negligence bringing civil liability. 

Examples of reckless driving our attorney defends 

Whether you were charged with endangering others by speeding, passing a school bus that was stopped for children to exit, aggressively changing lanes or a combination of reckless actions, including those resulting in property damage and/or injuries, we will build the strongest defense possible under the circumstances. 

Penalties for reckless driving in Indiana

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense. You could face jail time of up to one year, a fine of up to $5,000 and a suspended license. For a reckless driving conviction, your insurance company may raise your rates. We will help you understand your specific charges, the potential penalties and possible defenses. 

Possible defenses for reckless driving charges

You may be able to assert any of the following:

• Lack of intent 
• Necessity due to an emergency 
• Police observations were inaccurate 
• Malfunctioning radar, laser or speed camera 
• Insufficient evidence
• Misidentification of driver

Once we understand the specific facts of your arrest and charges, we will build an appropriate defense. 

Ways our Fort Wayne reckless driving attorney can help

Trying to defend against a reckless driving charge on your own can be an exercise in futility. It takes legal skill to investigate the circumstances leading to the charge, to counter the evidence against you and to gather evidence supporting your defense. Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to have your charges dropped or negotiate a plea bargain that results in reduced charges. If your case goes to trial, we will aggressively represent you in court. Our law firm handles cases involving all major traffic violations. In addition to reckless driving offenses, we assist clients in cases of leaving the scene of an accident, DUI/OWI, driving with a suspended license and more.

Contact an experienced reckless driving defense lawyer in Fort Wayne 

At The Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey, located in Fort Wayne, our attorney represents individuals charged with reckless driving in Indiana. Call us at 260-222-7364 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.