According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), aggressive driving is a major factor contributing to traffic accidents in the U.S. This dangerous type of driving behavior plays a role not only in well-publicized road rage incidents but also in many fatal traffic accidents every year. The institute reports that in a recent year, aggressive driving behavior by automobile drivers and motorcycle riders was involved in 51,914 fatal crashes.
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What Is Considered Aggressive Driving?
As stated by III, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses, endangering other persons or property. A study conducted by the American Automobile Association identified driving behaviors associated with aggressive driving to include:
- Speeding ā driving too fast for conditions or in excess of the posted speed limit
- Erratic or improper lane changes
- Failure to signal
- Making improper turns
- Following improperly (too closely)
- Driving illegally on the shoulder, sidewalk, median, or in a ditch
- Failure to obey traffic signals, traffic signs, or traffic officers
- Racing
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Passing where it is prohibited
- Suddenly changing speeds
- Failure to observe warnings or instructions displayed on vehicles
- Failure to observe safety zone traffic laws
- Operating a vehicle in a careless, reckless, negligent, or erratic manner
Speeding and Driving Behaviors Contributing to Fatal Accidents
III reports that speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities for more than 20 years. In an NHTSA analysis, researchers found that in a recent year, speeding cost 10,111 lives and contributed to 27% of all fatal crashes. Other driving behaviors that contributed to fatal accidents in 2016 include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications
- Distracted driving
- Failure to remain in the proper lane
- Overcorrecting/oversteering
- Drowsy driving (fatigued, asleep, or blacked out)
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
- Swerving or avoiding due to wind and road conditions
Taking Legal Action to Hold Aggressive Drivers Accountable
To assert the right to compensation after an aggressive driving accident, the victim must show that the aggressive driver who caused the accident was negligent. This involves showing that the aggressive driver owed the victim a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the traffic accident and quantifiable damages.
All motorists on the road have a legal duty to use reasonable care and not operate a vehicle in a manner that can cause foreseeable harm to others sharing the road. Aggressive drivers may breach their duty of care in many ways, including speeding, tailgating, failing to yield the right-of-way, and making erratic and improper lane changes.
Hurt By An Aggressive Driver? Call Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates Today
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates in Chicago, we believe that aggressive drivers who engage in willful conduct that disregards the safety of others should be held accountable for the harm they cause. If you have been injured in an aggressive driving accident, contact our Chicago aggressive driving lawyers today. We can tell you if you have a claim and what damages you may be entitled to receive.
