Find out how liability works in reckless driving crashes and why these claims are so complex under North Carolina law
Even if you’ve heard the term “reckless driving,” you may not understand what it actually means under North Carolina law—or how it affects an injury claim after a crash.
In NC, reckless driving is more than careless behavior; it’s a specific offense that often involves excessive speeding or driving in a way that shows a disregard for the safety of others. When someone is hurt because another driver was acting aggressively, establishing exactly how that reckless behavior caused the crash becomes critical.
In this article, we’ll explain how North Carolina defines reckless driving, how speeding impacts liability in an accident, and what evidence can be used to prove the other driver was driving recklessly under state law.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed by a reckless driver in North Carolina and needs help with your claim, schedule a free consultation with the Charlotte car accident attorneys at Wilder Pantazis Law Group.
For more than 85 years, our local legal team has been pushing back against unfair insurance tactics to get accident victims the justice and compensation they deserve.
How many accidents involve speeding in North Carolina?
Speeding is a major contributor to crashes in North Carolina and nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is involved in 28% of all fatal crashes, 13% of injury crashes, and 9% of property-damage-only collisions across the country.
North Carolina’s data reflects a significant local impact. In 2022 alone, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles reported that speeding contributed to:
- 16,713 crashes (6.1%)
- 426 fatalities (23.9%)
- 8,317 injuries (7.5%)
These numbers show that nearly 1 in 4 deadly crashes in the state is related to speeding—highlighting just how dangerous excessive speeds can be on North Carolina roads.
What is considered reckless driving in North Carolina?
Under North Carolina Statute §20-140, a driver can be charged with reckless driving (a Class 2 misdemeanor) in 2 main situations:
- When they operate a vehicle carelessly with deliberate disregard for the rights or safety of others; or
- When they drive without appropriate caution and at a speed or in a manner that puts other people or their property in danger.
In simple terms, reckless driving in North Carolina involves behavior that goes beyond ordinary negligence to actions like excessive speeding, weaving through traffic, tailgating, brake checking, or any other conduct that clearly increases the risk of harming someone else.
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Is running a red light considered reckless driving in North Carolina?
Running a red light can be considered reckless driving in North Carolina, but it depends on how and why it happened.
If a distracted driver rolls through a red light at a low speed, in light traffic, and without creating an immediate danger, it will likely be treated as a standard traffic violation—not reckless driving.
However, running a red light is more likely to be considered reckless driving when the driver:
- Ignores visible cross-traffic or pedestrians
- Accelerates to “beat the light”
- Blows through a red light in heavy or fast-moving traffic
In these situations, the acts show a disregard for the safety of others and would likely meet the definition of reckless driving under North Carolina law.
What speed is considered reckless driving in NC?
North Carolina does not set a specific speed that automatically qualifies as reckless driving. A driver can be charged with reckless driving at almost any speed if their actions put others at risk.
For example, if a driver hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk, it would likely be considered reckless even if they were only driving a few miles over the limit.
However, certain speeding behaviors are so dangerous that the state will suspend your driving privileges if you’re convicted. This isn’t labeled “reckless driving” by default, but these speeds are often treated as reckless because of the risk involved.
In North Carolina, your license will be revoked for at least 30 days if you are convicted of:
- Driving more than 15 mph over the speed limit when your speed is above 55 mph
- Driving over 75 mph in a zone where the limit is less than 70 mph
- Driving over 80 mph, regardless of the posted limit
While these speeding violations trigger automatic license consequences, they can also support a reckless driving charge—especially if the driving behavior endangered others or contributed to a crash.
Are you automatically at fault for an accident in NC if you’re speeding?
Because of North Carolina’s strict pure contributory negligence law, any driver who is speeding is likely to be considered at least partially at fault in a crash.
Unfortunately, in North Carolina, being even 1% at fault means you’re completely barred from suing for compensation—no matter how serious your injuries are or how reckless the other driver was.
This is why speeding is so dangerous from a legal standpoint. Even minor speeding—just a few miles per hour over the limit—can ruin your claim.
For example, if a drunk driver crosses the center line and hits you head-on, the insurance company may argue that your slight speeding contributed to the collision or worsened the impact. If that argument succeeds, you would be prevented from recovering any damages, even though the other driver was primarily to blame.
This is why it’s crucial not to admit to any degree of fault or even speak with the other driver’s insurance company until you’ve consulted with an experienced Charlotte car accident lawyer. A lawyer can handle the investigation and communicate with the insurer on your behalf to protect your rights from the start.
What evidence is used in reckless driving cases?
Reckless driving cases in North Carolina rely on a combination of physical evidence, digital records, and witness observations to show how the at-fault driver was operating their vehicle.
Because the behavior involves driving “in a manner that endangers others,” investigators look for anything that helps reconstruct what happened and whether the driver’s actions met the legal definition of recklessness.
Common forms of evidence used to prove reckless driving in North Carolina include:
- Vehicle data recorders (black boxes). Many cars record speed, braking force, and steering input seconds before impact.
- Cell phone records. If distraction contributed to the reckless behavior, phone data may show texting, calls, or app use.
- Police reports. Officers document their observations, witness statements, citations issued, and any signs of aggressive or dangerous behavior.
- Crash-scene evidence. Skid marks, vehicle damage, debris patterns, and roadway conditions help show speed, braking, and loss of control.
- Witness statements. Bystanders, passengers, or other drivers may report seeing speeding, tailgating, weaving, or running a traffic signal.
- Traffic and surveillance camera footage. Videos from nearby businesses, intersections, or dashcams, or passengers in the vehicle can capture the reckless behavior directly.
- Expert analysis. Accident reconstruction experts can analyze the crash to determine how fast the driver was going and whether their actions violated safety expectations.
Together, this evidence helps establish whether the driver acted with the level of disregard or endangerment required for a reckless driving charge or civil liability.
Need help filing a lawsuit against a reckless driver in North Carolina?
If you or someone you care about was seriously hurt or killed because another driver was speeding, weaving through traffic, or ignoring basic safety rules, you cannot afford to face North Carolina’s contributory negligence system alone.
In a state where even a small allegation of fault can eliminate your right to compensation, you need attorneys who understand how local officers investigate these crashes, how insurers try to shift blame, and what evidence truly makes a difference in court.
With more than 85 years of combined experience handling severe crash cases across North and South Carolina, the Charlotte car accident attorneys at Wilder Pantazis Law Group know how to prove reckless conduct, challenge unfair fault arguments, and pursue the full recovery you’re entitled to under the law.
Contact Wilder Pantazis Law Group today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can protect your rights after an accident with a reckless driver.
References
NCDOT. (2025). Official NCDMV: Speeding with a Suspended or Revoked License. Ncdot.gov. https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/license-suspension/Pages/speeding.aspx
North Carolina 2022 Traffic Crash Facts. (n.d.). https://connect.ncdot.gov/business/DMV/CrashFactsDocuments/2022%20Crash%20Facts.pdf
Speeding: 2021 Data 1 Speeding. (2023). https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813473.pdf