Aggressive driving accidents are on the rise, fueled by people who need to get places faster than ever with little patience. When you are the victim of an accident, and you believe the driver of the other car was acting in an aggressive manner, you need to know what to do to protect yourself and your rights to compensation.
If you have injuries, contact Salango Law to discuss your case with our Charleston car accident lawyer by calling (304) 342-0512 today.
What Is Aggressive Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving happens when a person is operating a moving vehicle in some type of traffic offense in an effort to endanger another person or property. Road rage, though commonly used interchangeably with aggressive driving, is different. Road rage refers to a crime in which there is a criminal offense involved, including assault with a vehicle.
Common Types of Aggressive Driving Explained
There are various ways a person can engage in aggressive driving. Some of the most common examples include:
- Failing to yield to another driver: If a driver fails to follow traffic signs that say they should yield to other drivers, pedestrians, or bikers, and they fail to do so, that could indicate aggressive driving.
- Making unnecessary lane changes: Aggressive drivers are often weaving from one lane to the next and passing other vehicles. They may get upset when other drivers go “just” the speed limit. They may feel the need to be at the front of a pack of vehicles.
- Tailgating: Tailgating occurs when a driver follows the driver in front of them very closely. This creates a dangerous situation because there may not be enough time for the driver to stop if road conditions change.
- Sudden stops and slowing down: Aggressive drivers may stop the vehicle quickly or even for no reason. They may turn at the last second or start driving by accelerating quickly.
- Speeding: Speeding is a form of aggressive driving, especially when the driver ignores traffic controls like posted speed limits, stopping distances, no-pass zones, school zones, or crosswalks.
These examples of aggressive driving are critical to understand if you are behind the wheel. You may not realize you are engaging in these actions. Yet, they are also critical in understanding if you are the victim of a car accident in which you believe the other driver was engaging in any of these actions.
What Makes Aggressive Driving Accidents So Risky?
Aggressive driving accidents create a significant amount of risk to anyone in the vehicle. They often bring together factors like speed, intense force, and unstable vehicle movements, all of which can make a vehicle accident more likely and far more deadly. If you were involved in an accident with injuries such as the following, speak to your attorney about whether aggressive driving could be to blame:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Serious broken bones or soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Burns and disfigurement
- Amputations
With the help of your attorney, you can build evidence to show that the other driver was operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner. That could lead to a claim for any losses you have. If your specific accident caused you a head injury, call a brain injury lawyer in Charleston to get the compensation you deserve.
Aggressive driving accidents may warrant seeking legal action with the help of your attorney. Let our legal team at Salango Law provide you with guidance if you were hurt in such an accident.
Call today at (304) 342-0512 for a free consultation.