Many who travel around Turlock may wish that other drivers on the road had a little more patience and a little less aggression.
We’ve all seen the signs, the tailgating, the whipping from lane to lane, and the speeding. These actions can lead to increased danger for safe drivers, but when that aggression escalates it can lead to open conflict between drivers in the form of road rage.
Aggressive Drivers Around Central Valley
We’ve all been frustrated by those drivers who think the road is their personal stunt track. They speed, push traffic in front of them, and change lanes with barely any room to fit.
The Insurance Information Institute (iii) looked at data over a five-year period and found that these aggressive drivers played a role in 56 percent of fatal crashes, with excessive speed being the number one factor.
A person can choose to risk their own vehicle and physical health with their bad driving, but they are also making that risky choice for everyone else on the road. An aggressive driver can cut it too close and send you out of control and into a collision. These accidents can leave you with a severe injury and with an expensive recovery ahead.
The at-fault driver may face criminal charges, but you may wonder how to get help covering your physical, emotional, and financial damages. A Turlock car accident attorney with Maison Law can help you determine the best path to getting compensation for all of your losses.
Common Signs of Aggressive Driving
In that iii study, researchers had to determine what factors on police accident reports signified the involvement of aggressive driving. They came up with a list of some of the common factors seen when these behaviors end up causing an accident:
- Following improperly (tailgating).
- Improper or erratic lane changing.
- Illegal driving on road shoulder, in ditch, or on sidewalk or median.
- Passing where prohibited.
- Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds.
- Failure to signal.
- Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit.
What to do if You’re in an Aggressive Driving Accident
If an aggressive driver causes an accident, the hope is that the aggression ends there. Once a collision has occurred, and you are able, you should begin collecting evidence in your case. Do not approach the other driver. If they approach you, sit in your car with your doors locked, call the police, and let them handle the situation.
- Assess your injuries. If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Because of the adrenaline, you might not feel the full force of your injuries immediately.
- Give a full report to dispatchers and police.
- Take photos. Document the scene, the car that hit you, and street signs. Take photos of any injuries that are visible and any damage to clothing.
- Talk to any witnesses.
- Don’t make any statements about the accident. Insurance companies can use these statements against you later.
- Get checked out by EMS crews and your own doctor. Get everything documented.
- Keep any damaged clothing and personal items. Don’t throw evidence out.
Compensation After an Aggressive Driving Accident
In the aftermath of a crash, you will see hospital bills add up and you may not even have a chance to pay them because of lost wages from missing work. This is where a claim against the negligent driver becomes necessary.
The injured person must clearly show the specific hardships this accident caused to get compensation. Compensation can consist of:
- Past medical bills and medical bills reasonably expected to be incurred in the future
- Past lost earnings and lost earnings reasonably expected to be lost in the future
- Any permanent disfigurement
- Any permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of a normal life
Deadline to File An Accident Claim
Something to keep in mind, in California, state law gives a victim a two-year deadline to file a claim against the at-fault drivers and their insurance companies.
However, the attorneys with Maison Law recommend filing your claim as soon as you’re ready. The longer you wait to file a lawsuit, the harder it will be to collect evidence, gather documents, and contact the witnesses you’ll need to build a strong case against an aggressive driver.
Contact a Turlock Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver the Turlock attorneys with Maison Law can help you seek justice. You should not have to face pay for your own recovery if a driver’s risky behavior caused your devastating collision.
After an accident involving a serious injury in the Central Valley, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
