Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer
Sharing the road with an aggressive driver is a scary situation that puts everyone on the road at risk. Aggressive driving includes any behavior that may cause severe accidents or injuries, like speeding, weaving through traffic, and tailgating. Driving like this impacts everyone on the road, but it also has a ripple effect on the families and communities.
To stay safe and project your rights, you need an aggressive driving accident lawyer in your corner. You also need to know the risks linked to driving like this and how to respond if you find yourself in this situation.
Spotting Aggressive Driving Behaviors
On today’s highways, aggressive driving poses a huge threat because it jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the road. These behaviors usually stem from anger or irritation coupled with a disregard for other people’s safety. Driving like this increases the possibility of accidents. Typical actions to be on the lookout for include:
- Speeding: Speeding is where you exceed the posted speed limit or travel too quickly for the road’s circumstances. Doing so shortens your reaction times and makes accidents more severe due to the harder impact.
- Tailgating: This is when you follow too closely to the vehicle ahead of you, and it reduces your ability to stop safely if they suddenly brake.
- Weaving: Weaving means you’re frequently changing lanes without using your turn signal. You’re being careless around other vehicles and causing irregular traffic patterns.
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Ignoring traffic signs and signals or failing to surrender the right of way results in dangerous accidents at intersections.
By anticipating possible dangers and modifying how you drive in response will help you safeguard yourself and others on the road.
The Impact of Aggressive Driving Accidents
Aggressive driving is a major contributing factor to auto accidents and puts everyone at risk on the road. Research showed that aggressive driving and speeding make up roughly ⅓ of all fatal accidents nationwide. They also found that the possibility of the accident turning fatal or resulting in severe injuries doubles for every 10 miles you go over 50 miles-per-hour.
Additionally, research showed that 37% of aggressive driving accidents involved a firearm to some extent, and males under 19 years old are most likely to exhibit road rage. Half of drivers who experience aggressive driving respond in kind, and there were 12,610 injuries and 218 murders linked to road rage over a seven-year period.
More alarmingly, 2% of drivers admitted to attempting to run the aggressive driver off the road, and California has the most confrontational drivers in the nation.
Consequences for Victims and Communities
Along with immediate consequences, these types of accidents also bring about far-reaching effects. These accidents tend to cause significant injuries, financial hardship, and emotional or mental distress due to missed wages and piling up medical bills. They can cause long-term financial difficulty for the whole family.
Communities also feel the strain of these accidents with rising healthcare expenses and insurance premiums. The burden on neighborhood infrastructure and resources emphasizes how critical it is to combat aggressive driving through public awareness campaigns and preventative actions.
Promoting Safer Driving Practices
Lowering the instances of aggressive driving has the potential to boost road safety. Campaigns for public awareness, more stringent law enforcement, and community involvement are all importantl for encouraging safer driving habits.
By using preventive measures and getting an understanding of the effects of aggressive driving accidents, communities may strive toward safer roads.
Identifying Aggressive Drivers on the Road
Recognizing a hostile driver is essential to helping preserve your safety, and there are warning indicators to look for as you drive. Erratic lane changes are one thing, and any driver who quickly and frequently changes lanes without using their turn signal may not be aware of their surroundings or the risks they bring to other motorists.
Excessive honking or gesturing are also common when you’re dealing with an agitated driver, and they may escalate as they show irritation or impatience. Also, when someone drives too close to another car or blocks traffic, this may indicate rage. To stay safe, it’s essential that you keep an eye out for these behaviors and give any driver exhibiting them a wide berth.
Strategies for Staying Safe
Holding your composure and avoiding interacting with an angry motorist is crucial when you come across them. To keep you and other drivers safe, you should stay as far away from the aggressive driver as possible so you have time to respond to their erratic driving behavior. You want to avoid eye contact because it may provoke the other driver.
Make sure you don’t retaliate as it can be deadly for one or both parties, so focus on driving carefully and safely while not responding to provocations. Finally, report any instances of aggressive driving to the police, giving them specifics like the vehicle description and license plate number.
Steps to Take After an Aggressive Driving Accident
Ensuring everyone is safe is the first step after an accident with an aggressive driver. If it’s safe to do so, move your car out of traffic to avoid more accidents. If you can still drive it, move it to a safe spot on the shoulder of the road. Check for any injuries after you’re safely out of the way of any oncoming traffic, and contact emergency services to get medical care.
Contacting Emergency Services
After any accident, you want to call the police and emergency services, regardless of how minor you think it is. A police report will be handy for any insurance claims or legal issues that may pop up later. Give the responding officer a detailed report of the accident, mentioning any instances of aggressive behavior you noticed.
Collecting Evidence and Information
Gather evidence at the scene to support your account of the accident. Take pictures or a video of the scene, highlighting any car damage or information like skid marks. Ensure you exchange information with the other parties involved.
This includes their names, contact details, insurance information, and the license plate number. If you see witnesses, try to get their information so you can get an account of what they saw during the accident.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
You may run into challenges with the insurance companies after an aggressive driving accident. Start the claims process by reporting the accident as soon as you can. Give them as much information as you can, including any supporting documentation. You’ll want to include witness contact details, police reports, medical reports or records, and pictures of the scene.
For your records, keep any correspondences you have with the insurance providers. Honestly respond to any questions without speculation or assuming responsibility for anything and do your best to comprehend the rights and benefits under your policy. Insurers may try to settle claims fast or give you less money than you deserve.
Get the Support You Need After an Aggressive Driving Accident
Our experienced lawyers are available to help you after an accident with an aggressive driver. We’ll give you the help and guidance you need to heal. We invite you to contact us to find out how we can help. Let our experienced staff handle the legal process so you can concentrate on getting well and get the compensation you deserve.
Photo by Courtney Corlew on Unsplash