Losing a loved one in a car crash is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a family can face. And the grief can feel even more overwhelming when the collision was caused by someone who has a history of dangerous driving, such as multiple DUI convictions, street racing citations, or repeated traffic violations for acts of aggressive driving. Many families are left wondering how someone with a record of unsafe driving behavior was allowed to get behind the wheel and whether this history will have an impact on their car accident claim.
If you believe the driver who caused the collision has a history of dangerous driving, don’t assume the insurance company will uncover or properly consider that information. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate every aspect of the collision, gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Who Is Considered a Repeat Offender?
A repeat offender is someone who has demonstrated a pattern of dangerous driving behavior. While every case is different, repeat offenders may include drivers who have:
- Multiple DUI or DWI convictions
- Several speeding or reckless driving citations
- A history of aggressive driving or road rage incidents
- Numerous at-fault collisions
- Repeated license suspensions or revocations
- Prior convictions for hit-and-run or other serious traffic offenses
Not every repeat offender has a criminal record, but a history of repeated traffic violations can show a pattern of careless or reckless behavior.
Repeat Offenders Cause a Significant Number of Serious Crashes
On average, more than 10 thousand people are killed every year in crashes involving impaired drivers, speeding and aggressive driving behaviors – including tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and excessive speeding – contribute to many preventable collisions each year.
Sadly, a relatively small group of repeat offenders is responsible for many of these serious and fatal crashes each year:
- Drivers with previous DUI convictions are more likely to be arrested again for impaired driving than first-time offenders.
- Drivers with multiple traffic violations are generally at a higher risk of causing future crashes than drivers with clean records.
These statistics highlight why it is so important for repeat dangerous driving offenses to be taken seriously by law enforcement and the courts.
How Does Being Hit by a Repeat Offender Affect Your Personal Injury Claim?
A repeat offender history may strengthen evidence of negligence. If the collision involved impaired driving, excessive speeding, or aggressive behavior – and that driver has a record of such behavior in the past – that evidence can reinforce the argument that the driver was negligent.
Keep in mind that even when the at-fault driver has a poor driving record, insurance companies are still likely to try to reduce payouts. They may argue that your injuries were not as serious as claimed or dispute how the collision occurred. An experienced attorney knows how to counter these tactics with strong evidence.
What Evidence Will a Personal Injury Attorney Gather to Build a Strong Injury Claim?
Building a strong personal injury case requires much more than simply filing an insurance claim. Your attorney will conduct a detailed investigation to gather evidence that clearly shows what happened and how the crash affected your life.
Depending on the circumstances, your attorney may collect:
- Police report from the accident
- Any publicly available driving or criminal history
- Witness statements
- Photos and video evidence
- Electronic vehicle data
- Cell phone records
- Medical records
- Expert testimony (if required)
Why Early Investigation Matters:
Evidence can disappear quickly after a crash. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses’ memories can fade, and other important records may become harder to obtain. The sooner an injured person hires a car accident lawyer to handle their claim, the sooner the investigation can begin.
Being injured by a repeat offender can leave victims feeling frustrated and uncertain about what comes next. While no amount of compensation can erase the trauma of a serious collision, a successful personal injury claim can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, future care, and other damages resulting from the crash.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
