Aggressive Driving Car Accidents
Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer Serving Little Rock, AR
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an individual is guilty of aggressive driving when they commit a combination of moving traffic violations that endanger other people or property. Common aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, following too closely, weaving through traffic, and running red lights or stop signs.
Studies conducted by the NHTSA suggest that aggressive driving could play a role in up to 56 percent of fatal crashes in the United States, many of which involve excessive speeding. In 2018 alone, 26 percent of nationwide traffic fatalities were the result of crashes in which at least one driver was speeding.
Here in Arkansas, speeding and aggressive driving have become a serious problem in recent months. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, state authorities have reported a higher fatality rate in Arkansas traffic collisions despite fewer cars being on the road. Highway patrol officials have said aggressive driving behaviors, such as excessive speeding, were a “leading contributor” to this trend.
If you were injured in an Arkansas car accident caused by an aggressive driver, you could be eligible to claim compensation for your losses. Contact the Pfeifer Law Firm today for a free consultation to learn more.
Common Causes of Aggressive Driving Accidents
There are many stressors that can lead drivers to become agitated and aggressive behind the wheel, including long commutes, traffic congestion, and the behavior of others on the road. Some of the most common types of aggressive driving behaviors that cause traffic accidents include:
- Exceeding posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions
- Tailgating or following too closely for conditions
- Frequent or erratic lane changes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to obey yield signs or other traffic signals
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to signal turns or lane changes
- Driving illegally along shoulders, medians, or sidewalks
- Passing other vehicles in no-passing zones
- Road rage
- Driver inexperience
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Why Are Aggressive Driving Accidents So Dangerous?
Simply put, aggressive driving is dangerous because an aggressive driver’s behavior is often motivated by anger or irritation. Aggressive drivers tend to disregard the safety of others in favor of taking out their frustrations on other motorists, which significantly increases the chances of a serious accident.
Speeding, lane weaving, and other common aggressive driving behaviors put others on the road at risk because aggressive drivers often don’t leave themselves enough time or space to react in emergency situations. Excessive speeding is a uniquely worrisome factor in aggressive driving incidents since 86 percent of drivers don’t consider driving ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit to be “extremely dangerous” behavior. It is dangerous, and an aggressive driver may be tempted to go even faster.
According to DefensiveDriving.org, “road rage” is a particularly extreme form of aggressive driving that can involve intimidation or even violence. Road rage is a serious matter, especially given that 37 percent of road rage incidents involve a firearm, and 2 percent of aggressive drivers have admitted to trying to run other drivers off of the road.
Common Injuries Suffered in Aggressive Driving Collisions
Aggressive driving accidents frequently involve high-speed collisions that leave victims with catastrophic and sometimes life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common injuries caused by aggressive driving collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions and penetrating brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, which can cause loss of sensation or even paralysis
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries such as whiplash or herniated discs
- Broken or fractured bones in the arms, legs, or abdomen
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations from broken glass or twisted metal
- Burns from gasoline fires, caustic chemical spills, or “road rash”
- Soft tissue injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle tears
- Puncture wounds, which can cause organ rupture or internal bleeding
- Disfiguring facial injuries, broken teeth or jaws, and scarring
- Amputation or other loss of limbs or digits
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological injuries
Compensation for Aggressive Driving Collisions
With the help of a knowledgeable attorney, you could recover money from an aggressive driving accident claim to compensate you for accident-related losses, such as:
- Past and current medical expenses, such as ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgical bills, and rehabilitation or therapy costs
- Potential future medical expenses, if you and your doctor agree that your accident-related injuries will likely require long-term care
- Incidental expenses, such as the costs of travel to and from medical appointments and costs related to home or vehicle accessibility modifications
- Lost income, if you are forced to miss time at work while you recover from your accident-related injuries
- Losses in your future earning potential, if you sustain injuries so severe that you become disabled and can no longer perform your usual job duties
- The subjective costs of your pain and suffering, including psychological distress and losses in your overall quality or enjoyment of life
Evidence in an Aggressive Driving Accident Claim
To recover compensation in an aggressive driving accident claim, you’ll need to offer proof demonstrating that the other driver was at fault for the accident. The following types of evidence can be used to support your claim:
- Photos and other evidence from the accident scene, such as skid marks or vehicle damage
- Video footage from nearby traffic cameras or dashcams from other vehicles
- Statements from the drivers and vehicle occupants involved in the crash
- Statements from eyewitnesses and other drivers who saw the crash
- Police accident reports, which typically contain official opinions regarding the cause of an accident
- Cell phone or GPS records from the other driver
- Accident diagrams created by accident reconstruction experts
Contact an Aggressive Driving Accident Attorney Today
There are strict time limits for filing a car accident claim in Arkansas, so if you were injured in an aggressive driving accident, it’s important to speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. For a free initial case review, contact the award-winning legal team at Pfeifer Law Firm today.