Aggressive Driving Accidents

New York drivers aren’t known for being friendly. If you spend a short time on any New York City street, you’re likely to come across at least one aggressive driver. This doesn’t only make driving stressful — it also makes it dangerous.

In April of 2019, there were 16,632 motor vehicle collisions in New York City. At least 86 of those accidents involved aggressive driving or road rage. Sadly, many of the accident victims were left with injuries. Some of the victims never recovered from their injuries.

If you or a loved one was a victim of one of the aggressive driving accidents, you can seek compensation. Driving aggressively is a form of negligence, and that makes the incident a potential personal injury claim. You should work with an attorney to learn more about your options. Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP can help.

What Is Aggressive Driving?

The term “aggressive driving” is sometimes often thrown around loosely. However, there is a very specific definition of action. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving occurs when someone commits traffic offenses that place other people or property in danger.

For example, speeding and tailgating are both examples of aggressive driving. So are erratic lane changes, failing to stop at red lights and stop signs, and driving on the shoulder. If it’s a traffic violation and you’re doing it out of anger, then you’re guilty of aggressive driving.

Often, this type of behavior results in accidents. It’s unsafe and can cause collisions with multiple vehicles. Speeding drivers can’t react quickly to other vehicles. Similarly, drivers who are tailgating might not have enough time to stop before hitting the vehicle in front of them.

ROAD RAGE

Even more dangerous than aggressive driving is road rage. If aggressive driving goes unchecked, it can turn into road rage. This occurs when, after a traffic incident, a driver physically attacks another person or vehicle.

At times, road rage involves the threat of violence from a firearm but it can also involve someone using their own vehicle as a weapon. One driver might use their own car to intentionally hit another person or their vehicle.

Can You Avoid Aggressive Driving Accidents?

No one wants to be in an accident. Although there’s no way to guarantee you won’t be a victim of aggressive driving, there are a few ways in which you can limit your chances of being in a car accident in New York City.

If you find yourself on the road with an aggressive driver, you should do all of the following:

MOVE OUT OF THE WAY

Don’t let your pride get in the way. If someone is driving in an angry manner, you should give them room. This could mean slowing down or switching lanes. Whatever you do, try to avoid acting in anger. In addition to causing an accident, you could also be held responsible for it.

DON’T MAKE EYE CONTACT

You could end up stopped next to the angry driver, and you might have the temptation to make eye contact. You should avoid looking at them, however. This could escalate the situation.

DON’T REACT WITH MOVEMENTS OR EXPRESSIONS

An aggressive driver could be watching your reaction. If you make hand gestures or frustrated facial expressions, you could make the situation worse. Avoid reacting, and you may be able to prevent a road rage incident.

IF NECESSARY, CALL 911

While you shouldn’t call emergency services for a minor concern, you may need to call them to prevent a car accident in NYC. If the other driver is committing traffic violations or you are concerned for your safety, dial 911.

What Should You Do After Your Accident?

No matter how careful you might be, there’s still a chance you’ll be involved in an accident. But your accident doesn’t need to destroy your life. By contacting an attorney, you can file a personal injury claim against the responsible driver.

Every driver has the duty of driving safely. When they fail to uphold their duty, the law makes them accountable. They could be responsible for paying for your medical bills, missed earnings from work, and other damages. Although the money can’t take away your injuries, it can help you heal and give you a better future.

Here at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP, we want to see accident victims achieve justice. If you were involved in an accident, contact us here or call us at 212-LAWYERS or 212-344-1000