Last Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Read Time: 3 mins
If you are facing charges of reckless driving, it is important that you act quickly and contact a reckless driving lawyer Memphis, TN trusts from Patterson Bray Attorneys. Reckless driving can lead to increased insurance costs, steep fines, points on your license, and even jail time. The attorneys at Patterson Bray have been successfully defending our clients for 15 years.
Common Defenses That Can Be Used in Reckless Driving Cases
You Were Being Negligent, But Not Reckless
What separates reckless driving from simply speeding is the fact that the driver was willfully disregarding the rules of the road without a care for the safety of others. Negligence is not always willful, so your auto accident lawyer in Memphis, TN will attempt to prove that your actions were not intentional.
Argue That the Road Lacked the Proper Signage
In order to prove that you were excessively speeding, there must have been signs that were visible and sufficient to prove that your speeding was a result of you willfully disregarding the law and not just negligence.
Your Driving Was a Necessity
Did you believe that there was an emergency at the time of your reckless driving? Did you believe that that emergency posed a threat to you at the time? And do you know that you are not the one who created the emergency? Your Memphis, Tennessee reckless driving lawyer will prove that you believed your actions were necessary.
You Were Not Driving at the Time of the Accident
One of the common legal defenses a reckless driving lawyer in Memphis, TN will raise is that you were not driving at the time of the citation. The prosecution must prove that you were the one driving the vehicle. Without any glaring evidence from the prosecution, it is possible that the charges against you could be dismissed.
Disprove or Argue Your Alleged Speed
Reckless driving is driving with a wanton disregard for the safety of others, and driving over the speed of 80 miles per hour or 25 miles per hour over the limit is under that umbrella. The prosecution must prove:
- That law enforcement recently calibrated the equipment that they used to determine your speed.
- That the officer used the equipment correctly while measuring your speed
- That the speed the officer recorded was actually the speed of your vehicle and not another.
Contact a Reckless Driving Lawyer Memphis, TN Relies On Today
Facing a criminal charge can be a scary thing, but it is imperative that you understand your rights and legal options. At Patterson Bray, we know that the stakes are high when it comes to reckless driving convictions. Reckless driving charges that lead to a conviction will leave you with a mark on your record that will need to be explained as you move forward with your life as it cannot be expunged. Not to mention that reckless driving convictions also lead to higher insurance rates, points on your license, and in extreme cases even jail time.
That is why it is important to contact an experienced, competent reckless driving lawyer from Patterson Bray. Call 901-372-5003 today to schedule a complimentary consultation so that you fully understand your options and next steps.
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Reach out to Patterson Bray and an attorney will follow up with you soon.
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