A survey conducted by AAA revealed that the vast majority of drivers have acted aggressively while behind the wheel. Aggressive drivers often tailgate other vehicles, speed, honk on the horn repeatedly, make obscene gestures, or cut other drivers off. These behaviors are not only aggressive, they’re also dangerous.
How Aggressive Driving Leads to Accidents
Aggressive drivers violate the traffic laws that are designed to keep drivers safe. For example, a red light cannot control traffic if an aggressive driver passes through the intersection anyways.
But, this is not the only reason why aggressive drivers cause so many accidents. An aggressive driver can make other drivers more nervous. These drivers might make mistakes or lose focus on the road as a result of their nerves, which can lead to serious accidents. For instance, if an aggressive driver is tailing another vehicle while flashing his lights and honking his horn, the driver in the other vehicle may become so distracted that he rear-ends the vehicle in front of him.
How to Hold Aggressive Drivers Liable in Personal Injury Cases
To recover compensation in a personal injury case, car accident victims must be able to prove that the other party was liable for the crash. To do this, the victim must provide evidence to show that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident.
A lot of the most valuable evidence that can be used against aggressive drivers can be gathered at the scene of the crash. To document this evidence, take photographs of the property damage, the traffic signs and signals located nearby, the positioning of the vehicles, and any tire marks left on the road. You should also ask witnesses for their contact information before leaving the scene of the accident. A witness may be able to testify that he saw the driver acting aggressively in the moments leading up to the crash.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an aggressive driver, do not forget to call 9-1-1 and ask the dispatcher to send a police officer to the scene. A police officer will gather information from the parties involved and then create a report that summarizes what happened. The responding police officer may also ticket the other driver if he has enough evidence to believe that his aggressive driving caused the accident. If the other driver is ticketed, this can be used as evidence of aggressive driving, and thus liability, in your personal injury case.
Have you been injured by an aggressive driver? If so, seek legal representation from the personal injury attorneys at Reisch Law Firm. Aggressive drivers put other drivers in danger, so our team takes great pride in holding them accountable for their negligent behavior. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
