Aggressive driving is extremely dangerous. Many drivers are reckless behind the wheel because they allow their frustration to get the better of them. When drivers give in to their frustration and it manifests in dangerous ways, victims of aggressive driving accidents need to know their legal rights.
If you are injured as a result of a car crash caused by an aggressive driver, contact an experienced attorney. These cases must be handled carefully because many auto insurance companies will deny coverage of claims that result from injuries inflicted intentionally.
How Dangerous is Aggressive Driving?
Motorists may not appreciate how unsafe it is to weave in and out of traffic or tailgate because they're frustrated the car in front of them is going too slowly. As a result, drivers are prompted by anger to make careless choices with serious or fatal consequences. All it takes is a split second, and lives are forever altered.
Drivers also need to know how dangerous aggressive driving is so they can steer clear of motorists who are giving into their anger. If you're driving and another motorist is following you too closely or won't let you change lanes, it is tempting to get mad and react aggressively. This just escalates the situation and puts you in more danger. When you understand the risks an aggressive driver presents to you, you can make the smart choice to get as far away as possible.
To understand how high-risk aggressive driving is, consider a comprehensive study conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. AAA Foundation looked at a history of accidents over a four-year period of time and found as many as half of the collisions involved a driver behaving in an aggressive and dangerous way shortly before the accident happened.
AAA Foundation also interviewed motorists to find out how many people were experiencing road rage and acting on it. The survey revealed as many as 80 percent of motorists expressed significant anger behind the wheel over the past year. You do not want to become one of these angry drivers who engages in aggression behind the wheel, nor do you want to become a victim.
No matter how frustrated you are by traffic or by what cars around you are doing, it is not worth risking your life or the lives of your loved ones. Make the smart choice to follow the rules of the road and get out of the way of drivers showing you aggression.
If you see someone behaving an especially threatening way, try to contact the police to alert them to the situation. In situations where you have been injured as a result of an aggressive driver's reckless or careless operation of a vehicle, contact our offices to learn more about your legal options.