Reckless Driving in Seattle

Seattle is home to some beautiful drives. Our attorneys enjoy the scenic routes along Alki Beach, the winding roads of Discovery Park, and the breathtaking views on the SR-99 Viaduct. However, the city also has its share of dangerous areas for drivers, including the steep hills of Capitol Hill, the congested intersections near Pike Place Market, and the chaotic merging zones on I-5 and Highway 520. Combined with high traffic density in neighborhoods like South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, and Northgate, driving in Seattle can quickly become stressful and challenging.

Sometimes, reckless driving charges arise from simple mistakes or from trying to avoid a dangerous situation on Seattle’s crazy roads. As local attorneys who drive around the city, we understand how easily this can happen. Our driver defense attorneys have spent over 20 years defending people just like you against reckless driving charges across Western Washington. We know how these charges are often overinflated and how the system can feel stacked against you. With our deep knowledge of Seattle’s courts and proven defense strategies, we’re ready to fight for a favorable outcome in your case. Call our law offices today for a free consultation.

In Washington state, the law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle in a manner that blatantly disregards the safety of people or property. You may face reckless driving charges for:

• Excessive Speeding Beyond Safe Limits: If you were driving over 100 mph on I-5 and weaving in and out of traffic, law enforcement could consider your actions reckless, even if the road seemed clear at the time.
• Street Racing: Participating in a race with another driver on a public road, like in Tacoma, puts you and others at serious risk and can easily lead to reckless driving charges.
• Tailgating And Road Rage: Following someone too closely on Highway 520, flashing your headlights, or making sudden lane changes to intimidate another driver can be seen as reckless behavior.
• Driving Under The Influence: If you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your impaired ability to control the vehicle could result in a reckless driving charge.
• Ignoring Traffic Signals: Running multiple red lights in downtown Seattle, especially at high speeds, shows disregard for the safety of pedestrians and other drivers.
• Stunt Driving: Performing donuts or other risky maneuvers in a crowded parking lot, like those seen during illegal car meetups, could also land you with a reckless driving charge.
• Passing On A Blind Curve: If you attempt to pass another vehicle on a winding road like those near Snoqualmie Pass, where visibility is limited, law enforcement could consider your actions reckless due to the high potential for a head-on collision.
• Driving Without Lights At Night: Operating your vehicle without headlights in low visibility conditions, such as on a dark rural road, endangers not only you but also other drivers who may not see your vehicle.
• Failure To Yield To Emergency Vehicles: Ignoring the requirement to pull over for an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, especially if you’re speeding or blocking their path, can result in a reckless driving charge.
• Using Your Phone While Driving: If you’re texting, video chatting, or otherwise distracted by your phone while speeding or making unsafe maneuvers, it could escalate to reckless driving, especially if your distraction causes near-misses or accidents.
• Riding On The Hood Or Roof Of A Car: Allowing someone to ride on the outside of your vehicle or doing so yourself while the car is moving is a highly dangerous act often considered reckless.
• Drifting Into Oncoming Traffic: Crossing the centerline, even briefly, on a busy road like Aurora Avenue or SR-99 could result in a reckless driving charge due to the potential for catastrophic collisions.
• Driving With Excessive Loads: If you’re hauling unsecured items, like furniture or debris, that fall onto the road or create a hazard for other drivers, you could face reckless driving charges.
• Driving With Known Mechanical Failures: If you knowingly drive a vehicle with failing brakes, broken headlights, or other dangerous mechanical issues, you could be charged with reckless driving if it poses a significant risk to others on the road.

As you can see, reckless driving charges cover various activities. Essentially, you will receive a reckless driving charge if Seattle law enforcement believes that you are driving in a way that disregards the safety of others.

Washington state classifies reckless driving as a gross misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face:

• Jail Time: Up to 364 days in county jail
• Fines: Up to $5,000 in fines
• License Suspension: Minimum 30-day suspension of your driver’s license
• Insurance Consequences: Increased premiums or difficulty obtaining coverage
• Permanent Criminal Record: Reckless driving convictions remain on your record and can affect employment and other opportunities

With such high penalties, you do not want to face reckless driving charges at Seattle courts alone. Our local defense attorneys specialize in this practice area and can help you fight these penalties.

Seattle offers a robust public transportation system, including King County Metro buses, the Link Light Rail, and the Seattle Streetcar. However, these services don’t cover every area. For example, getting to neighborhoods like Fauntleroy in West Seattle, the residential parts of Magnolia, or further out to places like Carnation or Duvall often requires a car. Plus, many of Seattle’s best activities are only accessible by driving, like hiking at Rattlesnake Ledge, exploring the tulip fields in Skagit Valley, wine tasting in Woodinville, or visiting Mount Rainier for a day trip.

If you’re convicted of reckless driving, you could lose your driving privileges. Without a license, it is much harder to reach these areas and enjoy the unique experiences in Seattle. Fortunately, our attorneys specialize in challenging reckless driving charges. We believe these cases often deserve a fairer evaluation, and we’ll fight to get it. Call our law offices today for a free consultation.

Many people mistakenly believe that a reckless driving conviction is not such a big deal. Nothing could be further from the truth. A reckless driving conviction could put you in jail for up to one year and cost you $5,000 in fines. It also incurs a mandatory 30 day driver’s license suspension, which will mean having to carry expensive high-risk (SR-22) auto insurance for three years after it is reinstated. Obviously, it makes sense to do everything you can to minimize these penalties, and our Seattle reckless driving lawyers have the experience and dedication required to help.

A person accused of reckless driving in Seattle is said to have been driving with willful disregard for the safety of other people and their property. Still, the prosecution must prove this beyond any reasonable doubt.

Jason S. Newcombe is a Seattle attorney who can aggressively defend you by exposing the speculative nature of these charges. Our team of Seattle reckless driving attorneys will explore every nuance of your case from top to bottom. We will find out why you were stopped in the first place, and the nature of the offense as interpreted by the police officer who issued the charge.

With over 30 years of combined experience, we know where to look to collect facts that will firm up your defense so that we can aggressively seek to have your charges reduced or dismissed.

It is especially important to protect yourself from a reckless driving charge if you already have points against your driving record. A reckless driving conviction will add one point to your Seattle driving record. These points accumulate, and if you get three in a five year period, you are then subject to having your driver’s license revoked for a period of seven years.

Don’t let the opinion of one police officer hurt your chances in court. Let our firm of experienced and aggressive legal professionals fight diligently to protect your rights.

You can contact us today for a free consultation and discuss your reckless driving charge. One of our Seattle reckless driving attorneys will answer your questions, lay out your options, and provide you with proven legal advice with no risk or monetary obligation.

If you choose to retain the services of one of our Seattle reckless driving lawyers you will find that our rates are affordable, and that we offer payment plans that can eliminate any financial burden. When you consider what a reckless driving conviction can cost you in the long run it makes sense to have a professional representative who will provide you with a dedicated criminal defense in court.