Month: July 2016

Many people are under the impression that a reckless driving ticket is just like a speeding ticket, so they accept their guilt without discussing it in court. However, Virginia has very strict consequences for those who are recklessly driving, which could potentially result in jail time or other penalties if you plead guilty instead of taking the case to court. Depending on the circumstances, you may receive different penalties for reckless driving. However, reckless driving in Richmond always comes with more severe punishments than the average speeding ticket.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving in Richmond Virginia is legally defined as driving over 80 miles per hour, regardless of the speed limit, or driving 20 miles or more over the speed limit. Even if you think you were driving safely, merely going a few miles over the speed limit in an area with 75 miles per hour limit is enough to get you a reckless driving ticket. In Virginia, reckless driving is classified as a class 1 misdemeanor, which is considered the worst class of misdemeanor. Many law enforcement officers will issue reckless driving tickets if any accident occurs. However, these charges rarely hold up in court because it is difficult for the law enforcement officer to provide proof that a law was violated.

What Are the Penalties of Reckless Driving Convictions?

Virginia law says that the maximum sentence a reckless driver may receive is one year in jail, $2,500 in fines, a suspended driver’s license for six months, and 6 points on a driver’s license. Everyone does not receive these penalties so that some people may be given a lighter sentence. There are many individual circumstances that may affect a judge’s decision to give a light or a harsh sentence. Typically, jail time is only considered if a person was going 90 miles per hour over the speed limit. However, behaving aggressively towards the police officer or driving in a way that endangers a person or property is more likely to result in jail time. If a person is convicted of reckless driving, they will have a criminal charge placed permanently on their record, which may endanger employment or housing opportunities.

Though the penalties for reckless driving in Richmond, VA may be severe, an experienced lawyer can help you to navigate the legal complexities. Contact an attorney today to learn more information about how we can assist you.

If you have suffered property damage or sustained injuries in a car accident, you should think of getting a personal injury attorney. Before you proceed to file a lawsuit first consider the state laws that limit personal injury damages and the amount you should be compensated. Proceeding into a litigation while well informed and with the right lawyer in your corner will ensure you get a fair compensation.

Not all types of injuries will require you to have an attorney. You can decide to handle a case with your insurance company or use alternative methods instead of going to court. However, it is helpful in many situations to have a lawyer who is experienced in personal injury law. Some of the situations that call for you to have a Orange County personal injury attorney include;

• If you have sustained serious injuries.
• If the case is complicated to handle alone.
• You are not comfortable to negotiate your claims.
• You want to be compensated for non-economic damages such as shock, suffering, and pain.

Types of fees payable to a personal injury attorney

There are different types of personal injury fee structures that are used by lawyers. You can find your ideal attorney easily by selecting one whose fee structure can accommodate your current financial situation.

Some of the common types of fees structure include;

• Retainer: You pay this fee upfront to retain the services of your attorney.
• Contingency: You will only pay your attorney after they help you win your case. You pay your attorney a certain percentage of the settlement amount.
• Hourly: Some attorneys require that you pay for the number of hours they spend working on your personal injury case.

Before you decide to go to court it is important that you get a lawyer who can help you understand the court proceedings. Your attorney will give you some of the requirements to win your case. Some of the things you need to know include the time you need before you file a case and how certain laws can affect your compensation. A good example is the statute of limitations. This law states that you are allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit within a specific time frame. This law is different from one state to another. However, in Orange County California, the statute of limitation for cases of personal injury should be filed in court within a span of two years from the date when you sustained injuries.