Aggressive Driving Accidents

Aggressive drivers can be a danger to themselves and others. Road rage behavior and aggression behind the wheel can lead to horrendous accidents. Aggressive driving car accidents, and road rage incidents are increasing every year. 

This trend is forcing countless injured individuals to seek out experienced personal injury law firms when aggressive driving accidents happen. If you’ve been injured in an auto-related accident due to the aggression of another driver, Hipskind & McAninch, LLC can provide assistance. 

Aggressive Behavior and Traffic Accidents

Aggressive driving may result from an emotional driving situation like a driver flashing their headlamps or braking in front of others. Sometimes drivers are aggressive and weave through traffic, disregarding the safety of others. If car accidents caused by aggressive driving played a role in your injuries, then you could be entitled to compensation. 

Many states pass laws to protect their motorists from car crashes due to improper driving. Aggressive driving causes a number of injuries to motorists every day. Aggressive driving is so prevalent that one study found that over 80% of people have experienced threatening driver behavior.  

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities are speed-related. Many car accident cases begin with aggressive behavior or road rage. If your car was hit by an aggressive driver, and you want to hold those liable for your damages responsible, contact Hipskind & McAninch, LLC. 

What Is Aggressive Driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” Dangerous, aggressive driving behaviors include:

• Driving illegally on the shoulder, median, or sidewalk
• Driving in an erratic, reckless, or negligent manner
• Excessive speed
• Failing to obey stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic signals
• Failing to signal turns or lane changes
• Failing to yield right of way
• Frequent, erratic, and unsafe lane changes
• Ignoring signals from other drivers
• Improper passing
• Passing where passing is prohibited
• Running red lights
• Tailgating
• Taking out frustrations on other drivers

The most common aggressive driving actions were careless and erratic driving. If you’re involved in a car accident with another driver due to any of these driving behaviors, call Hipskind & McAninch, LLC now to schedule a free consultation. 

Aggressive Driving Causes Crashes

Data compiled by American Automobile Association (AAA) shows that 55% of accidents are caused by aggressive driving. Aggressive driver behavior is a factor in most non-fatal accidents, and aggressive driving led to 106,727 fatal crashes during a recent four-year period. If someone you love was killed in a fatal aggressive driving accident, contact Hipskind & McAninch, LLC for a free consultation.

If someone is swerving in and out of your lane or consistently tailgating and speeding, they could be considered an aggressive driver. Aggressive drivers also fail to signal, ignore the right of way, and use their horns violently. If you see someone driving like this, it may behoove you to pull over, let them pass, or call the police. Sometimes the best solution is to take a different route. 

Aggressive Driving Injuries

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that over 1,500 people are injured or killed in the U.S. each year by aggressive driving. Whiplash is a common injury resulting from aggressive driving behaviors. 

Drivers often suffer wrist, pelvic fractures, and facial injuries in aggressive driving accidents. Front passengers are also prone to knee injuries because their front seats have been struck directly with dashboards and cervical injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Back and cervical spine damage
• Limb injuries and wrist fractures
• Knee injuries and bruising
• Concussions and other head injuries
• Traumatic brain Injuries

What causes aggressive drivers?

Aggressive driving is harmful and can happen for many different reasons. Sometimes, angry drivers choose violence behind the wheel. The type of accident involved in aggressive driving differs widely among individuals. Most aggressive driving incidents are caused by recklessness behind the wheel. 

Speeding is the most common cause of such accidents. One-third of all road fatalities in America are caused by speed, costing Americans $40 billion dollars annually. Excessive speed doubles the fatality rate in accidents where injuries occur. That’s why speeding is one of the most reckless behaviors. Speeding also causes serious health and safety concerns. 

Some drivers practice aggressive driving because they have a long commute to work, there’s too much traffic congestion, or maybe they’re reacting to another driver’s aggressive actions. Data collected by the Insurance Information Institute found that 56% of fatal crashes involved aggressive driving, but what causes people to drive aggressively?

Why Do People Drive Aggressively?

Aggressive driving behavior is often triggered by a mixture of disposition and character. Many of the following factors contribute to road rage incidents, including: 

• Overcrowded roads
• The perception of poor driving among other cars on the road
• Stress and aggression in unrelated areas of the driver’s life
• The consumption of alcohol or drugs
• Traffic jams or speed reduction zones 
• Speeding drivers
• Perceived road rage in other drivers
• Obscene gestures from other travelers

Aggressive Driving Behavior

Dangerous driving behavior occurs when a driver commits traffic offenses that threaten the lives and property of others. Road rage, speeding, changing lanes, tailgating, traffic failures, and illegal driving all contribute to accidents. Recklessness and erratic driving behavior lead to injuries, and if your accident caused injuries, then you could be responsible for the medical bills of the other driver.  

Dealing With Aggressive Drivers

One of the best ways to deal with aggressive drivers is to avoid becoming one. Giving yourself the proper amount of time to commute can help ease the angst of being behind the wheel. When in traffic, always keep in mind that everyone will eventually reach their destination. 

Proceeding in accordance with the law can help you protect yourself, your passengers, and other travelers. When people drive aggressively and cause accidents, you can contact St.Louis car accident attorney to advocate on your behalf. You don’t have to deal with aggressive drivers on your own. 

How do I stay safe near aggressive drivers?

Avoiding aggressive drivers and practicing caution can be beneficial. During encounters with aggressive drivers, keep the following in mind:

• Avoid making eye contact
• Call 911 if you feel threatened
• Do not accelerate
• Do not make gestures or provoking comments 
• Do not challenge the other driver
• Get out of their way and remain at a safe distance
• Ignore their gestures and comments
• Make sure you and your passengers are wearing seat belts

Aggressive Driving Legal Assistance

If you have been involved in an accident involving an angry or aggressive driver, you may be left with property damage, injuries, medical expenses, emotional trauma, or even permanent disabilities. 

Missouri is an at0fault state when it comes to auto insurance. That means that the insurance company of the driver who has caused the accident must pay for your medical bills and damages to your vehicle. 

Aggressive drivers can be intimidating and difficult to deal with. That’s why it is a good idea to hire a personal injury attorney who has years of experience. The reckless driving attorneys at  Hipskind & McAninch, LLC have experience handling negotiations with insurance companies. 

Hipskind & McAninch, LLC have represented personal injury victims in St.Louis of aggressive driving and can assist you today. Contact them right away to speak to an attorney from a St. Louis personal injury law firm with a 99% success rate.