When you’ve been injured in a car crash, you deserve fair compensation for your losses. But when another driver’s conduct goes beyond negligence — when it’s reckless or deliberate — Connecticut law allows courts to increase the damages you can recover.
Under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-295, victims of reckless driving can seek double or even triple damages in certain cases. As experienced Connecticut car accident lawyers, the team at Cantor Injury Law Firm helps clients understand and use this powerful law to hold dangerous drivers fully accountable.
What Is Connecticut General Statutes § 14-295?
Section 14-295 is a law that allows courts to award double or treble (triple) damages when an injury, death, or property loss is caused by a driver who deliberately or with reckless disregard violates certain motor vehicle laws.
This statute is not automatic — it must be specifically pleaded in a civil complaint. The injured party (the plaintiff) must show that the at-fault driver violated one of the listed laws and that the violation was a substantial factor in causing the crash and resulting injuries.
Which Traffic Violations Qualify for Double or Treble Damages?
The enhanced damages under § 14-295 apply to serious, dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, including:
- § 14-218a: Traveling unreasonably fast for conditions
- § 14-219: Exceeding the posted speed limit
- § 14-222: Reckless driving
- § 14-227a: Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI)
- § 14-230: Failing to drive in the proper lane
- § 14-234: Passing in a no-passing zone
- § 14-237: Wrong-way driving on a divided highway
- § 14-239: Wrong-way driving on a one-way street
- § 14-240a: Following too closely (tailgating)
- § 14-296aa: Using a hand-held cellphone or mobile device while driving (added 2019)
If a driver’s violation of one of these laws causes your injury, the court may award double or triple your damages under Connecticut law.
What Counts as “Reckless Disregard”?
“Reckless disregard” means more than simple carelessness. It refers to knowingly ignoring a serious risk to others’ safety. Examples of reckless driving behaviors include:
- Texting or using a cell phone while driving at highway speeds
- Speeding through busy intersections or school zones
- Driving drunk or drug-impaired
- Street racing or tailgating aggressively
At Cantor Injury Law Firm, our attorneys know how to prove that a driver acted with reckless disregard — a crucial step in securing enhanced damages under § 14-295.
How Double or Treble Damages Work
When § 14-295 applies, the judge or jury may increase your total award. For example, if your case is worth $100,000 in compensatory damages, the court could award up to $200,000 (double) or $300,000 (treble) damages to punish reckless behavior and deter future misconduct.
This provision is designed to send a clear message: reckless driving has serious legal and financial consequences.
Why § 14-295 Matters in a Reckless Driving Injury Claim
For victims of serious car accidents, this law provides a vital avenue for full justice. While insurance settlements often fail to account for the recklessness of a driver’s behavior, § 14-295 allows victims to recover more when the defendant’s actions were deliberate or outrageously careless.
Our Connecticut personal injury lawyers leverage this statute in cases involving:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving / texting accidents
- High-speed collisions
- Wrong-way or tailgating crashes
How Cantor Injury Law Firm Can Help
At Cantor Injury Law Firm, we’re more than advocates — we’re your Connecticut car accident lawyers dedicated to maximizing your recovery. Our team investigates every aspect of your case, determines whether § 14-295 applies, and fights to ensure reckless drivers face the consequences of their actions.
We have extensive experience handling reckless driving injury claims and know how to present compelling evidence to support double or treble damages under Connecticut law.
Speak with a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured by a reckless driver, don’t settle for ordinary compensation. You may be entitled to double or triple damages under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-295.
Contact Cantor Injury Law Firm today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue every dollar you deserve.
