What is criminal recklessness: Is it different from negligence?

Recklessness is considered to be a serious crime. When a person shows recklessness while committing a crime, that means he knows the law, or is intentionally taking the safety of others for granted. He knows that his actions may harm others. This is what is criminal recklessness is and the person will be liable for the fatalities and injuries caused due to his recklessness.

There are four types of liability theories in criminology. The liability depends on the lawsuit and the type of obligation a person is involved in. They are:

• Willfulness: Also called intent, which means the person intends to harm another individual willfully
• Negligence: This means that the person knows about the law, but violates it to cause harm to others
• Recklessness: A person knows his actions are going to harm and he disregards the information and takes risks
• Strict Liability: This is applied in specific situations where someone is liable for his actions regardless of what mental condition he is suffering from.

Recklessness entails the act that is not committed willingly, but it impacts strongly than negligence.  Unlike the theory of negligence where a person – involved in committing a crime willingly and intentionally – causes harm or even injury to others. Meanwhile, in case of recklessness, the criminal individual takes the risk willingly and with mindfulness.

What laws have been legislated by the states for recklessness?

Many states have strict laws in place that prohibit showing reckless behavior in public. Individuals who have suffered from reckless injuries are eligible to get compensation for their medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, injuries. Additionally, reckless laws are also strict for the people, who are immune against the liability of any negligence, such as political personalities and healthcare professionals.

To understand recklessness more clearly, we have listed down some examples of reckless behaviors that people may encounter in public:

• Consuming drugs/substances or alcohol publicly
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (normally called DUI)
• Driving at exceedingly high speed in a residential area
• Storing illegal weapons, explosive items, or toxic substances in the house
• Knowingly engage yourself in unprotected adult activities, when the person knows that he can transmit the disease
• Keeping a weapon without a license with the intention to harm someone
• Use of illegal fireworks
• Playing spots in inappropriate settings

What do you need to prove recklessness?

To prove that you got injured due to the recklessness of another person, and you want him to be liable, you must meet these requirements:

• You have to prove that the defendant was involved in the liability intentionally
• The intention behind recklessness is more severe than negligence
• Defendant knew that his action would impose the risk of harm.
• The defendant had the reason behind taking the risk

Just like legislation may differ from state to state, the liability for showing recklessness may vary from the liabilities of negligence in some significant way.

The major difference between recklessness and negligence is that the defendant may not have intended to cause harm but he knowingly took the risk – would be called recklessness, and when the person intentionally performed the actions to injure and harm others – would be taken as negligence.

What are the legal consequences for recklessness?

In most injury cases, recklessness is the primary cause of personal injury. The victims of reckless injuries are considered eligible for compensation after reviewing the documentation of their claims and injuries. This is because the insurance companies need proof before they award any financial compensation to the victims.

If you have got injured due to reckless behavior of another person, to get compensation, you must provide a proof.

Your proofs may include: doctor’s notes, medical records, photos of the injuries, insurance documents, and testimonies along with the names of witnesses.

Plaintiffs with personal injury claims – including recklessness –  are most likely rewarded financial compensation for their sufferings and damages. This compensation depends upon:

• The seriousness of the injuries
• Future medical bills estimations
• Sufferings and pains
• Pre-existing injuries

In cases involving specific damages or ‘special damages’, victims are compensated as quantifiable monetary damages caused by the reckless act. Quantifiable monetary damage compensation covers the past and future medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. For this, the court may want to review your:

• Medical expenses records
• How much the injuries have affected the victim’s body and ability to work
• How much the victim has suffered, and how injuries have changed the victim’s lifestyle.

what is criminal recklessness? In most cases, defendants have to pay for the compensation against these damages, or if the damages are severe then they can also be subjected to criminal charges that bring more severe consequences that will affect you for a lifetime.