Aggressive driving refers to any combination of offenses that put other people in danger because of the actions of that driver. Most of the time, we consider aggressive driving any form of risky driving, meaning the driver fully understands that they are putting others at risk and may even be doing so intentionally when engaging in the activity. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our North Charleston car accident lawyer works very closely with victims hurt in aggressive driving accidents.
What Aggressive Drivers Do
Aggressive driving is not uncommon, with AAA reporting that nearly 80% of drivers in a 2019 survey had driven while angry or driven in an aggressive manner in the previous 30 days. Aggressive driving is unsafe, and it puts people at risk unnecessarily. Consider these types of actions that could be considered aggressive driving:
- Tailgating or following the car in front too closely to allow for a safe stop
- Cutting off a driver while changing lanes
- Cutting off a driver and then slowing down in front of them
- Speeding in heavy traffic
- Blocking cars who need to pass or change lanes
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Changing lanes without proper signaling
- Running stop signs or red lights
In each one of these situations, the driver has the ability to drive in a safe manner or drive in an aggressive manner. When they choose to drive aggressively, they put other drivers at risk, and that makes them fully responsible for the damages they cause. Our South Carolina car accident lawyer deals with these types of intense accidents frequently and the damages are often serious.
Aggressive Drivers Can Be Identified by Numerous Factors
If you are on the roadway today and you notice a driver who is driving in an aggressive manner, take action to protect yourself and avoid accidents and injuries. One way to do that is to fully be able to identify aggressive drivers based on their actions. Here are some signs that the person on the road with you could be putting others at risk:
- Speeding
- Driving in and out of traffic, including changing lanes frequently
- Revving their engine at a red light
- Moving into the intersection before the light turns green
- Tailgating other drivers frequently
- Yelling
- Honking at other drivers
- Flashing their headlights
- Passing on the shoulder of the roadway
In these situations, there is often a high level of anger present, and that could be directed at another person on the road with them or some bad situation occurring in their life at that moment. There is never a good reason for a driver to act like this, though, and as a result, they must be held accountable for any of the losses they cause to others. If you are the victim of a vehicle accident brought on by this type of accident, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our car accident attorneys for immediate help.
What Causes People to Drive in an Aggressive Manner?
Studies have long looked at the reason for people to drive in such an anger-filled and reckless manner. Aggressive driving can be defined as road rage in some situations because of the actions of those behind the wheel. Some of the reasons that people engage in these types of accidents, according to an American Psychology Association study, include:
- Aggressive driving at night or in those who have tinted windows tends to happen more commonly because the action can be done without being identified, spurring people to take a chance and act recklessly.
- Learning from other drivers, including parents, that this type of driving is okay or watching this type of behavior on TV or in the movies could suggest it is normal or acceptable.
- Being late can be a cause of this type of accident if a person sees the need to speed as a solution to getting where they want to be to avoid repercussions.
Perhaps what is most important to remember as the victim is that people engage in reckless behavior for many reasons, and in none of those situations do you have control over their actions. If you witness someone driving in this manner, get out of their way and, depending on the situation, report it. Protect yourself from losses.
What to Do if You Are in an Accident with an Aggressive Driver
In situations in which you are struck by an aggressive driver, it is critical to first protect yourself by getting medical care and contacting the police for help at the scene. However, what you do after this can matter as well. Consider these tips:
- Avoid engaging with the other driver, especially if they are angry. You do not want to say anything that could be used against you later.
- Use your phone to record any conversations between you and the other driver and to take a video of the scene.
- Get the contact information of anyone who saw what happened before, during, or after the accident, especially if they can verify that the other driver was acting erratically.
- If you know for certain the other driver was engaging in any aggressive driving activities like those listed here, communicate that with the police.
- Get the medical care you need, get all of the follow-up care necessary, and contact an attorney.
If the other driver caused an accident, you may have the legal right to pursue financial damage recovery for any losses you have. At the same time, it is critical to hold them accountable for all actions. Working with an experienced car accident attorney can be an incredible help in this situation.
Set Up a Free Consultation with Our Legal Team Today
Contact our South Carolina car accident attorney at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm if you have been the victim of a car accident involving an aggressive driver. Allow our attorneys to help you build a strong case against the person who put you at risk for no reason. Set up a free consultation to discuss your case with our team before you settle with the insurance company.
