What Should I Do if I’m Injured by an Aggressive Driver

Driving aggressively is one of the surest ways to cause an accident. Indeed, statistics show that aggressive driving may be the primary factor in more than 50 percent of fatal accidents. If you are involved in a crash involving an aggressive driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. At the law offices of Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C., our car accident lawyers will help by investigating your crash, proving that the crash would not have occurred but for the actions of the aggressive driver, and negotiating your settlement.

The Most Dangerous Aggressive Driving Behaviors

While every type of aggressive driving is unsafe, some have a severe effect on car accident rates. They include:

• Speeding: Driving far above the speed limit or in excess of what’s safe for road conditions is reckless. It makes drivers less capable of responding to obstacles or sudden changes in conditions. Furthermore, it compromises a driver’s control of their own vehicle.
• Unsafe lane changes: Reckless lane changes go above and beyond accidentally changing lanes once without checking your blind spot. These are abrupt lane changes that are done without using turn signals and without ever checking your blind spot. The expectation of the aggressive driver in this scenario is that other drivers will just move out of their way to avoid a collision. When they don’t have enough time to do so, sideswipe accidents occur.
• Tailgating: Following other vehicles too closely leaves far too little space to stop safely. This means that even a slight change in traffic conditions could lead to a rear-end accident because the aggressive driver truly does not have enough time to come to a complete stop. This behavior is often done to intimidate those that aren’t driving as fast as the reckless driver would like.
• Running red lights and stop signs: Reckless drivers are often in a rush, which leads to completely ignoring red lights, stop signs and other traffic signals. In the best-case scenario, other drivers will notice this and take evasive action. In the worst-case scenario, they will be unable to do so and be involved in a serious collision.
• Road rage: Road rage dramatically increases the risk of an accident or even a confrontation that may lead to physical violence.

Aggressive Driving Is Dangerous

Aggressive driving is very dangerous, and may constitute either negligence or negligence per se. Negligence is the failure to exercise the duty of care required in a given situation (such as slowing one’s speed when conditions are icy), and negligence per se is the breach of a statute or code (such as traveling above the posted speed limit). When a driver’s negligence or negligence per se causes a crash, that driver can be held liable for the damages incurred by the other party.

Bringing Forth a Claim Against an Aggressive Driver

When an aggressive driver causes an accident and you suffer damages such as physical injury or property damage, it is important that you understand what steps to take next and how to bring forth a successful claim against the aggressive driver.

Immediately following a crash, you should gather information from the at-fault driver, such as name, contact information, and insurance information. If you are injured, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Be sure to document all care received.

Within a reasonable amount of time after a crash has occurred, and preferably within 24 hours, you should notify your insurance company of the crash. If the other driver’s aggressive actions were to blame for the crash, you maintain the right to bring a claim with the other driver’s insurance. Your own insurance company will likely assist you in doing so.

In order to recover compensation for your crash via the insurance company of the at-fault driver, you will have to prove fault. If police reports and testimony from witnesses alone are not enough to prove fault, our attorneys can open an investigation. If necessary, we hire accident reconstruction experts who can determine the precise cause of your accident, and testify on your behalf.

In determining the value of your claim, we aggressively negotiate for you to improve your chances of recovering your maximum settlement amount. In the event a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we will be prepared to go to trial and litigate.

Contact Our Law Offices after an Accident Caused by an Aggressive Driver

Drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely. When they breach this duty and drive aggressively, ultimately causing an accident, they are responsible for paying for any damages incurred by other parties.

At the law offices of Olmstead & Olmstead, P.C., our talented Virginia car accident attorneys understand the array of losses you have suffered after being hit by a negligent driver. Our team is here to help you – we do that by explaining to you your legal options and the claim process, and handling all elements associated with recovering the compensation amount you deserve. To learn more or speak with our attorneys today, please send us an email, call us at 703-361-1555, or visit us in person.