Jalen Carter Reckless Driving and Damages Case
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, a top NFL draft prospect, is undergoing scrutiny after allegations emerge about an off-field automobile collision that ended up in formal charges against Jalen Carter after several people were killed he considered to be his friends. According to the Solicitor General’s Office of Athens-Clarke County, Carter plead to misdemeanor racing and reckless driving counts, raising many questions about how light his sentence was considering several people were KILLED! (According to his criminal defense attorney, Kim Stephens, the crash took the lives of Carter’s Georgia teammate, Devin Willock, and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.)
In mitigation to the Jalen Carter reckless driving case, the other driver, LeCroy was driving her SUV in excess of 104 mph speeds when it launched into the air, leaving the road and striking two power poles, including some nearby trees. Police verified her blood alcohol concentration was .197, about 2 ½ times Georgia’s BAC legal limit.
“If the investigation had determined otherwise, Mr. Carter would have been charged with the far more serious offenses of vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle under Georgia law, both felony offenses, and would have faced a lengthy prison sentence,” according to Solicitor General Stephens.
Carter Pleads No Contest to Reckless Driving
Remarkably, here, no sooner than Carter pleads no-contest and Carter’s sentence is announced, which included 12 months of probation, 50 hours of community service, as well as a $1,000 fine. Carter was also made to undergo a defensive driving course. He will serve zero jail time as the former star defensive lineman continues to grieve after his no-contest plea.
“We are happy that we were able to work with the Solicitor General’s office to reach a resolution that was fair and just based on the evidence in this case,” Solicitor General Stephens said in a statement.”
As a result of the tragic incident, Mr. Carter is still struggling with the loss of his friends. He continues to pray for the victims and their families. In the other car, two individuals perished in the collision, subjecting Carter to a potential wrongful death lawsuit and, normally, even prison time.
I am Michael Ehline. I am a tort law lawyer in Los Angeles, CA. I help people who get hurt in car accidents by reckless drivers, and I am always impressed how people with money and power (and who donated a lot to politicians, including the LA County Sheriff) tend to get away with what others would do prison time over.
Recently, Tiger Woods, a huge donor to LA politicians, got off after endangering many lives right down the street from my house on Hawthorne Blvd, CA, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. So I decided to discuss the recent Jalen Carter reckless driving and damages case from the perspective of a California injury lawyer and citizen. Let’s see if the NFL and Carter can further use Carter’s blossoming influence to either help or hurt any wrongful death lawsuits.
We are already seeing Jalen Carter come under heavy scrutiny after bodycam footage seems to show he may be guilty of reckless driving and even homicide far beyond what his light criminal sentence warranted. The New York Post and NBC News claim that bodycam footage shows Carter denying that he was racing during the incident. He might have received a lengthy prison sentence if he had admitted to it. We assume more evidence will come out since the release of the bodycam footage.
Transcript of Bodycam Footage Indicates Potential Violations of Georgia Law?
“Were you racing to Waffle House?” asked GA cop, “Because I can tell you right now by looking at the damage on that car they were moving.” “I wasn’t racing,” said Carter. During this time, Carter can be heard talking on his phone to someone who had called while the Clarke County Police Department was interrogating him.
“I feel like he is trying to get something out of this or something,” Carter said to a nearby policeman. “I’m not trying to get anything out of you,” said the officer, “I am just trying to find out how this happened and what you saw of it.” The impact on Carter’s draft stock remains to be seen. To complicate matters, he reportedly struggled at his Pro Day workout, the pre-draft equivalent of flunking an open-book, take-home exam.
As the NFL draft approaches, I am certain the NFL wants to sweep this under the rug. And honestly, if the NFL supports China and its genocide against political prisoners, supporting homidical acts is a mere drop in the bucket from my perspective. One of the most common factors that teams use when it comes to selecting a damaged player is spreading the rumor that he’s being dropped. The goal is to pick him up cheap later in the draft.
Either way, reckless driving is a serious offense that involves operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. In many cases, reckless driving can result in accidents that cause significant damage to property and serious injuries to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
In a reckless driving and damages case, the victim of the accident may seek compensation for the damages they have suffered, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The victim may file a lawsuit against the reckless driver to recover damages, or they may negotiate a settlement with the driver’s insurance company. GA has reckless driving laws similar to those in CA. Again, the wildcard is the celebrity status of the defendant and the fact the other driver was drunk. This is probably the only reason the SG didn’t throw the book at Carter.
To prove a reckless driving case, the victim must establish that the driver’s actions were willful or wanton and that those actions caused the accident and resulting damages. This can be challenging, as the victim must provide evidence of the driver’s reckless behavior and the link between that behavior and the accident.
Proving a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Jalen Carter
In a wrongful death case related to reckless driving, the surviving family of Carter’s victims would need to prove that Carter acted negligently or recklessly and that his actions directly caused the death of the victims. Survivors may also need to prove that Carter had a duty of care to the victims and that he breached that duty, leading to the victim’s death.
The families may need to gather evidence such as eyewitness accounts, accident reports, and any available surveillance footage to establish negligence or recklessness. They may also need to consult with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze the circumstances of the accident and help establish the cause of the crash.
Additionally, survivors may need to demonstrate the extent of damages the victim’s family suffered, such as lost income, medical expenses, and emotional suffering. It is important to consult an experienced wrongful death attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and build a strong case. Someone like Michael Ehline can provide you with personalized legal advice based on the specifics of your case and help you pursue justice for your loved one.
Suppose you have been involved in a reckless driving accident and suffered damages. In that case, it remains vital to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, such as the experts at Ehline Law Firm. A personal injury attorney can help you evaluate your case, gather evidence, and advocate for your rights to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. I hope this information is helpful, but please note that I cannot provide specific information about ongoing cases outside of California from a legal standpoint.
NFL scouting aside, charges of reckless driving by Athens-Clarke County Police show that even the most promising of Georgia’s Pro Day can become ensnared in a criminal case that can cloud their futures. Although Carter continues to be free, he will take a state-approved defensive driving course. But the top NFL draft prospect will always be known for these terrible alleged reckless driving, racing deaths.
Conclusion
If you or someone you love has injured friends or family and needs to speak with a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer, call (213) 596-9642 for prompt and effective legal services. If the person who hit you faces charges of reckless driving, call us so we can work with the prosecutor to share evidence and get you the compensation you deserve from that at-fault party. You can also reach us for a virtual consultation 24/7.
