With so many drivers on the road in New York, car accidents are commonplace. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by aggressive drivers. Aggressive driving greatly increases the risk of car accidents. If you’ve been injured due to the actions of an aggressive driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible for assistance. In this article, we examine how aggressive driving leads to car accidents in New York.
Aggressive Driving and Negligence
When aggressive driving causes an accident, it is usually considered a form of negligence. If an injured party successfully proves that another driver’s negligence caused his or her injuries, then the injured party may be entitled to financial compensation. Common types of aggressive driving behaviors that may constitute negligence include speeding, running red lights, and violating certain traffic laws.
Aggressive Driving vs. Road Rage
Although both involve unsafe actions on the road, aggressive driving and road rage are distinct types of behavior. The primary difference between aggressive driving and road rage is that road rage is intentional. Aggressive driving, however, as discussed above, is a form of negligence. Actions like speeding, improper lane usage, and cutting off traffic are aggressive behaviors that fall under the category of negligent driving. Intentionally following another driver, pulling over to harm another driver, or purposely using one’s vehicle as a weapon, on the other hand, are types of road rage.
Another important distinction between aggressive driving and road rage is that road rage often results in criminal charges. Injuries caused by aggressive driving, on the other hand, usually lead to civil liability. Depending on the circumstances of the case, though, a party who is injured in a road rage attack may be eligible for damages in civil court. Therefore, regardless of whether you’ve been injured in an aggressive driving accident or road rage incident, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
What to Do if You Are a Victim of Aggressive Driving
If you are injured as a result of aggressive driving, you should take the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries.
- Document the sequence of events that lead to the accident.
- Give a full report to the police and submit any necessary claims to your insurance provider.
- Take photographs and videos of the scene of the accident, damage to your vehicle, and your injuries.
- Save all medical records related to your injuries.
- Contact a car accident attorney.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in a traffic accident in New York, you need an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner. At the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr., we represent accident victims in Brooklyn and Staten Island. When you come to us for assistance, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that you obtain financial compensation for your New York car accident injuries. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.