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Alabama Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer

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Driving in Alabama already comes with plenty of risks, but aggressive driving amplifies the danger on our roadways. An aggressive driver breaks the law while jeopardizing the lives of others. This is not fair to you, especially if you or someone you love has been hurt by such negligent actions.

You do not have to put up with mounting medical bills and lost wages. If you have been hurt by an aggressive driver, you should contact Norris Injury Lawyers right away. Our Birmingham attorneys have over 40 years’ worth of handling aggressive driving cases with great success.

The best part is that you don’t owe our law firm a dime unless we win! Call us today for a free consultation at (800) 477-7510.

Aggressive Driving Accidents Are Avoidable

The worst part about aggressive driving car accidents is they are completely avoidable. Road rage is truly dangerous when an at-fault driver cannot control his or her emotions at the wheel.

Examples of aggressive driving behaviors include:

  • Tailgating
  • Unnecessary lane changes without using signals
  • Speeding
  • Racing
  • Blocking other drivers
  • Flashing headlights repeatedly
  • Driving on areas not meant for vehicles, like sidewalks
  • Not following traffic signs and signals
  • Driving erratically
  • Forcing another vehicle off the road
  • Ramming other cars
  • Throwing objects

Aggressive Driving Statistics

The American Automobile Association (AAA) released a report that revealed over half of all fatal crashes were caused by an aggressive driver. AAA’s Foundation for Driver Safety looked at the habits of drivers within a 30-day period and the results were startling.

The report showed:

  • 80 percent of drivers admitted to expressing some type of anger while driving
  • 26 percent switched lanes too quickly
  • 32 percent made gestures or honked aggressively
  • 48 percent traveled 15 mph or higher over the speed limit on the freeway
  • 31 percent passed through a red light
  • 25 percent have sped up to keep another vehicle from passing them

The University of Alabama conducted a local study that found an increase in aggressive driving. The study examined data from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and showed:

  • Impaired driving is up 3.7 percent
  • Speeding is up 5.3 percent
  • Overall aggressive driving is up 3.8 percent
  • Traffic fatalities are up 1 percent

These numbers might seem small, but they are misleading. In 2021, overall car accidents went down 9.8 percent in the state due to fewer cars on the road. This means the fatal crash rate has increased significantly. This is, in part, a direct result of aggressive driving.

How to Handle Aggressive Drivers

If you encounter someone on the road who is not obeying the law, there are ways you can prevent a car accident from happening. An aggressive driver’s unstable emotional condition means it is better not to confront him or her. Instead, do everything you can to avoid the situation.

Here are some tips that can help you avoid accidents with aggressive drivers.

GET OUT OF THE WAY

Don’t exacerbate the situation by trying to block an aggressive driver or by standing your ground. You would only be putting yourself and others at more of a risk of danger. Be the bigger person in this situation and simply avoid that driver if at all possible.

ALLOW MORE SPACE

If someone is weaving in and out of traffic, it is much easier to stay back or move away from that vehicle. Slow down, back off, and move as far away from it as possible. Do not slam on your brakes or do anything that can put you in the position of being the one who caused the accident.

STAY CALM

The other driver is being aggressive because his or her emotions are unstable. Do not become angry with yourself and do things that make the situation worse, like gesturing out the window or screaming at the person.

AVOID A CONFRONTATION

Again, it is easier to just avoid aggressive drivers. Do not pull over to fight, scream, or get in another driver’s face.

CALL THE POLICE

If someone’s driving is completely unsafe, it’s possible that he or she may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Calling the police can save someone’s life before the worst happens.

Steps to Take After Being in an Accident with an Aggressive Driver

It is important to remember that aggressive driving car accidents can be caused by several factors. It’s common for drugs or alcohol to play a role. In any case, it’s vital that the case be investigated thoroughly and handled correctly, so you have a much better chance of being fairly compensated.

That’s why one of your first steps should be to contact a lawyer. However, immediately following an aggressive driving collision, you have other concerns to address first.

If the other at-fault driver committed traffic offenses that made them unsafe and now you have been in an accident, what should you do now?

Here are several steps you can take in the event of an accident:

Step 1: Take the time to make sure you and your passengers are safe. The emotional distress caused by this incident might leave you scared and confused. If you are able, move out of the flow of traffic.

Step 2: Call 911. State law requires you to call the police after an accident that causes injury or death. Even if the collision only resulted in property damage, though, filing a police report could benefit your legal claim later on. Making the call could very well be worth it.

Step 3: Stay in or near your vehicle. Do not confront the other driver. Spend that time waiting for first responders by checking for injuries and gathering your documents. You will need your insurance and registration handy.

Step 4: Seek medical treatment. Even if everyone seems fine, the physical damage of these types of car accidents might not be felt until hours or even days later. You may not realize you have a concussion or suffered whiplash, so do not shrug off help from the paramedics. Documented injuries can help your case later on.

Step 5: Speak to witnesses. Once the police arrive and it is safe to do so, talk to other witnesses who also saw the aggressive driving take place. Get their contact information.

Step 6: Write everything down. As soon as you are able, write down the event as it happened. Having these records can help you later in case some details fade later.

Step 7: Contact an accident lawyer. Once you’ve been injured in an accident or your property was damaged, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Should You Hire an Alabama Law Firm After an Accident with an Aggressive Driver?

Aggressive driving behaviors are becoming more common and often result in fatal crashes and emotional distress. If you were the victim of an aggressive driver, you deserve compensation. You don’t deserve the life-altering consequences inflicted upon you and your family.

You can be compensated for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Vehicle and other property damage

You may believe it is an easy case, but your battle has only begun. In many cases, the insurance company will not make it easy. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible if anything at all. There will be questions about who is at fault. The reckless driver’s insurance company will run its own investigation which will likely work against you.

Unless you are a personal injury attorney, you may not know where to start to secure the compensation you deserve. You need someone on your side who is going to go to work for you. You have been through enough already, so why not let Norris Injury Lawyers handle the rest?

You deserve to have world-class representation against the big insurance companies that hate to see you win, and Norris Injury Lawyers can provide this. We have reached settlements of millions of dollars for our clients, and your needs will be our first priority.

The Norris Injury Lawyers team is available to speak to you 24/7. We provide many options so you can contact us at your earliest convenience. You can fill out our free online contact form, chat with a live rep on our website, or call us toll-free at (800) 477-7510. Let our decades of experience go to work for you!