Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyers in Austin

Many Texas accidents are caused by motorists who drive aggressively. Aggressive drivers engage in dangerous behaviors while behind the wheel, putting their lives and the lives of other travelers at risk. If you are looking for aggressive driving accident lawyers in Austin, contact  Lovins Law, PLLC. We represent car accident victims injured in aggressive driving accidents and can help you with your claim. Call 512-535-1649.

What is aggressive driving?

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving occurs when a driver commits multiple driving offenses that endanger other people or property.
Speeding, or exceeding the posted speed limit, is one of the most common forms of aggressive driving. When a driver speeds, there is a greater likelihood that the driver will lose control of the vehicle and crash into another motorist. It is also likely that the speeding vehicle will require a longer distance to stop, making it more difficult for a driver to avoid an accident. When a vehicle collides with another at a high speed, the injuries suffered by parties in both vehicles tend to be more severe and may even result in fatalities. In fact, the NHTSA reports that speeding was responsible for over 9,200 deaths on the road in 2014.
In addition to speeding, there are many other forms of aggressive driving that can cause serious accidents, including:

• Following too closely or tailgating
• Swerving between lanes
• Improperly signaling lane changes
• Failure to yield
• Failure to stop at stop sign or stop light

Any of these aggressive driving behaviors may result in a severe car accident, causing serious injuries, permanent disability, and even death.

What causes aggressive driving?

Drivers engage in these unsafe driving behaviors for many reasons. Some drivers may just be in a rush to get to their destination and will do almost anything to get there on time. Traffic congestion on the roadways in Austin can be frustrating and causes some drivers to act out. Other drivers may have trouble controlling their emotions and maintaining composure behind the wheel, especially if another driver has already aggravated them. Regardless of their reasons for driving recklessly, aggressive drivers put others at risk and should be held liable for the accidents they cause.
In order to stay safe on the roadways, it is important to avoid being an aggressive driver and to keep others safe. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get where you are going and avoid engaging in driving behaviors that would aggravate others, like tailgating or cutting people off. If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, do not escalate the situation by responding to their behavior and call 9-1-1 if you are worried about your safety.

Is aggressive driving the same as road rage?

Not exactly. Road rage often stems from aggressive driving in that a person gets angry at another driver for being irresponsible on the road. Road rage is a criminal offense involving one motorist assaulting another for an incident that occurred while driving. The assault may involve the use of an actual weapon or the vehicle itself.

What should I do if I was injured in an aggressive driving accident?

If you were injured in a Texas accident involving an aggressive driver, your best chance at recovering damages is filing a personal injury claim against that driver within two years of the date of the crash. Our attorneys can help you put together a case to establish that the driver was negligent and liable. We will gather the right evidence to show duty, breach, causation, and damages.

Duty

Motorists owe a duty to other motorists to operate their vehicles safely. Operating a vehicle responsibly requires that the driver follow all traffic rules and does not act negligently or recklessly behind the wheel.

Breach of Duty

When a driver behaves aggressively on the road, they have breached their duty to the other motorists by driving negligently. As mentioned previously, exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is considered a common form of aggressive driving. Other traffic violations, such as failure to change lanes appropriately and failure to adhere to traffic signs, also qualify as aggressive driving.
In order to prove that the other driver in your accident behaved aggressively, you may need to present the police report completed at the scene of the crash. Police reports often detail any traffic violations or unsafe driving behaviors that may have played a role in the accident.

Causation

Proving that the other driver was negligent is not enough to win your case. You will also need to show that your injuries were caused by the aggressive driver’s actions. Expert testimony relating to your medical conditions may help establish that your injuries would not have occurred had it not been for the aggressive driving.

Damages

In order to recover damages, you must show that you were, in fact, injured as a result of the other driver’s negligent actions. Medical records, pay records, and testimony will establish the injuries you suffered as a result of the crash.

What damages can I recover?

If the other driver was liable, you should receive compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages if you were unable to return to work after the accident, and other concrete costs. Non-economic damages cover intangible costs, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
At Lovins Law, PLLC, we are here to support victims of these accidents and their families. We help you prove liability and establish the value of your damages so you reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for all of your short- and long-term expenses and losses.
Let us help you with your aggressive driving accident claim. Call 512-535-1649 today.