Traffic Can Lead to Aggressive Driving Accidents
It’s safe to say that there isn’t a driver out there who enjoys traffic, but traffic is a part of modern living that isn’t going away anytime soon. Heavy traffic obviously makes dangerous accidents that much more likely, and when drivers allow traffic to amp up their aggressions and take those aggressions out in their driving, they endanger everyone with whom they share the road. If you’ve been injured by an aggressive driver, an experienced Orange County car accident lawyer can help.
California Aggressive Driving: A Closer Look
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), aggressive driving plays a major role in traffic accidents in the United States. Further, it defines aggressive driving as engaging in a combination of traffic violations that endanger others on the roadway. While aggressive driving is difficult to pinpoint exactly, a 2009 study based on data tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that aggressive driving was involved in 56 percent of traffic fatalities in the years from 2003 to 2007 and that excessive speeding was the number one aggressive driving factor involved in these accidents. The following contributing factors related to aggressive driving were used as indicators that aggressive driving played a role:
- Excessive speeding (including in relation to the condition of the road)
- Changing lanes erratically
- Tailgating
- Driving illegally – on the shoulder, in the ditch, or on the median or sidewalk
- Passing illegally
- Changing speeds erratically or otherwise driving erratically, recklessly, negligently, or carelessly
- Failing to yield as required
- Failing to obey traffic signs, signals, controls, or directions given by traffic officers
- Failing to signal appropriately
- Racing other vehicles
- Making turns improperly (from the wrong lane, for example)
- Failing to observe and/or follow instructions and warnings on vehicles displaying them
In other words, aggressive drivers can get creative, and in the process, they become very dangerous drivers.
Traffic and Aggressive Driving in Los Angeles
If we’re out on the road, it’s very likely that we have somewhere we need to be, and traffic often impedes our progress. That said, traffic is a fact of life, and safe, responsible drivers factor it into their schedules. When drivers allow traffic to spark their aggressive side and to attempt to make up for lost time by speeding with no concern for other vehicles in their midst, dangerous accidents are bound to ensue.
If an Aggressive Driver Leaves You Injured, You Need an Experienced Orange County Car Accident Lawyer on Your Side
Aggressive drivers take a very selfish approach to driving that leaves the rest of us far less safe on our highways and roads. If you’ve been injured by an aggressive driver, the formidable car accident lawyers at Hess & Nghiem in Santa Ana are here to help. Our dedicated legal team has the experience, commitment, and skill to help guide your claim toward a conclusion that protects your rights and provides you with the compensation you need to make your fullest recovery. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (657) 333-5726 for more information today.
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