Aggressive driving is one of the most common causes of serious car accidents in Virginia Beach and across the country. Because aggressive driving accidents often involve speeding and tailgating and can even escalate to dangerous road rage, they can cause devastating injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, aggressive driving is responsible for a significant percentage of serious yet preventable car accidents each year. All motorists have a responsibility to obey the rules of the road and avoid unsafe driving behaviors, including aggressive driving.
If you are injured in a car accident that was caused by another motorist who was driving aggressively, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced car accident lawyer can assist you with this process and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
How Common Is Aggressive Driving?
Despite the fact that it is widely known that aggressive driving is unsafe and can increase the risk of serious car accidents, motorists continue to engage in this dangerous behavior far too often. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, over half of all fatal car accidents in this country are caused by aggressive driving. The following are additional aggressive driving statistics:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 66 percent of motorists in the United States admitted to driving aggressively at least once in the past year.
- The Insurance Information Institute (III) found that aggressive driving behaviors like speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, and tailgating were a factor in 66 percent of traffic fatalities.
- Over 55 percent of rear-end collisions are caused by aggressive driving, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
- Men are more likely to engage in aggressive driving behaviors than women.
What Are Examples of Aggressive Driving?
According to the NHTSA, aggressive driving occurs when a motorist commits a combination of traffic offenses that can endanger other drivers, passengers, or property. The following are examples of behaviors that aggressive drivers often exhibit:
- Tailgating, or following the vehicle in front of you too closely
- Speeding
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Failing to yield to the right of way to other drivers
- Weaving in and out of traffic lanes
- Driving too fast for the traffic or weather conditions
- Failing to sign before changing lanes
- Driving on the shoulder or median in order to pass another driver
- Making illegal U-turns and other improper turns
- Shouting, beeping, or making rude hand gestures to other drivers
What Are the Most Common Causes of Aggressive Driving?
There are a range of circumstances that can cause motorists to become aggressive when driving, including the following internal and external factors:
Internal factors:
- Stress and frustration caused by things like work pressure, family issues, and financial concerns.
- Heavy traffic and long commutes to and from work can cause drivers to become impatient.
- The anonymity that a car provides can make some motorists feel detached from the consequences of their actions.
- Time pressures and running late cause drivers to take unnecessary risks like speeding, tailgating, and cutting off other drivers.
External factors:
- The impact of movies, television shows, and video games can increase the risk of aggressive behavior.
- Peer pressure can also cause motorists to drive aggressively under certain circumstances.
- Certain cultures normalize aggressive driving, particularly among male drivers.
What Types of Injuries Do Aggressive Driving Accidents Cause?
Due to the nature of aggressive driving accidents and the fact that speeding is often involved, these accidents tend to cause serious injuries that often require immediate and ongoing care. The following are examples of injuries that are caused by aggressive driving accidents:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Chest injuries, including broken ribs, bruising, and damage to internal organs
- Soft tissue injuries, including strains or tears to muscles, ligaments, or tendons
- Spinal cord injuries that may cause partial or complete paralysis
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Compensation for an Aggressive Driving Accident
The expenses associated with an aggressive driving accident can accumulate very quickly, particularly if you suffer serious injuries that require ongoing medical care. A successful personal injury lawsuit will ensure that you recover the following damages:
- All medical expenses associated with your injuries
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages if you are unable to return to work
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
In order to recover the damages you are entitled to, you will need to prove that the other driver was negligent. This will involve showing that the other driver owed you a duty of care and that they breached that duty by driving aggressively. You will also need to prove that you suffered injuries as a result of the aggressive driving and that the injuries resulted in financial losses. If you are able to establish that negligence was a factor, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver and seek the financial compensation you deserve. An experienced car accident lawyer will protect your legal rights.
Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Seek Compensation for Victims of Aggressive Driving Accidents
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an aggressive driving accident, do not hesitate to contact the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia.