Car Accidents Caused by Aggressive Driving

We have all seen aggressive drivers who cause car accidents. These are drivers who tailgate, flash their headlights, travel at unpredictable speeds, constantly honk…the list goes on.   Aggressive drivers create hazards for other motorists and pedestrians by often causing car accidents that result in serious personal injuries, not to mention they are also a danger to themselves.  Simply by diverting the attention of other motorists from their own driving, aggressive drivers increase the likelihood of an auto accident.  The lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers have handled many car accident cases that have been caused by aggressive driving, and are highly qualified to deal with the many issues involved with accidents that resulted from the negligence of an aggressive driver.  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as operating a motor vehicle in a way that endangers, or is likely to endanger, persons or property.  Aggressive driving can include acts such as speeding, running a red light or stop sign, failure to yield the right of way, and reckless driving. Generally, aggressive driving stems from frustration and ranges from the annoying (flashing headlights and honking) to the dangerous (tailgating, running red lights, weaving in and out of lanes, or speeding.)

According to an analysis by USA Today, aggressive drivers cause about one out of every five auto accidents with personal injuries. Aggressive driving has killed an average of 1,500 people each year, injured another 800,000, and cost the United States about $24 billion in medical costs, property damage, and time lost from work.

Because aggressive drivers are a real threat to your safety on the road, the best thing to do is to avoid becoming the target of one. Here are some tips to follow so that you do not inadvertently anger another motorist and end up in a car accident:

• Use the left lane only for passing.
• Resist the urge to speed up or slow down when other drivers want to pass you—maintain constant speed and let them by.
• Use your turn signal before changing lanes or starting a turn.
• When merging, move over and allow other drivers room to merge onto the highway if the lane next to you is open, .

Equally as important as watching out for aggressive drivers, it is important to avoid becoming one yourself. We all have tough days, but before you get behind the wheel, take a deep breath and keep these things in mind:

• Make safety a priority.
• Be patient.
• Look for safe ways to relieve tension while driving, such as listening to relaxing music.
• Do not gesture or yell at other drivers.
• Do not take other motorists’ actions personally.
• Avoid driving directly beside another vehicle for an extended period of time.
• Do not tailgate.
• Observe posted speed limits.
• Keep in mind that there may be children in other cars.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident with an aggressive driver, contact the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta for a free initial consultation. Call (404) 460-0101 today! We can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.