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What is Aggressive Driving
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, aggressive driving is any unsafe actions performed purposely with ill intent or disregard for safety that puts other drivers at risk. This is a broad definition and is based on the mind of the actor. To help identify reckless or aggressive driving, it is important to look for common actions taken by aggressive drivers, including:
- Speeding in heavy traffic;
- Following too closely;
- Cutting off another driver just to slow down;
- Ignoring red lights and other traffic control devices;
- Weaving in and out of traffic;
- Changing lanes without signaling;
- Passing on the wrong side of the road;
- Cutting off other motorists at a reduced speed;
- Driving without lights in hours of darkness; and
- Other blatantly dangerous acts.
It is surprising to learn that these actions occur far more frequently than expected. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the American Automobile Association’s Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers self-reported the following
- 3% of drivers reported purposefully hitting another vehicle;
- 4% of drivers reported getting out of their vehicle and confronting another driver;
- 12% of drivers reported purposefully cutting off other drivers;
- 24% of drivers reported purposefully blocking other drivers from changing lanes;
- 45% of drivers reported honking in anger or frustration;
- 47% of drivers reported yelling at other drivers;
- 51% of drivers reported purposefully tailgating other drivers.
What Should I Do In An Accident Caused By An Aggressive Truck Driver?
Accidents caused by aggressive truck driving often affect motorists unaffiliated with the initial conflict. Truck drivers that block traffic, tailgate other motorists, cut off drivers, weave through traffic, speed, or other dangerous acts risk hurting innocent motorists. In these cases, the injured motorists have a right to bring a lawsuit against the truck driver and their employer to recover compensation for the injuries and damages. This is known as a civil lawsuit.
A civil lawsuit provides injured motorists an opportunity to hold truck drivers accountable for their wrongful conduct. Additionally, in a lawsuit, all other parties that contributed to the accident can be held accountable for their role in the crash. For instance, if two motorists are angry and cause an accident that ends up hurting you, both motorists engaged in wrongful conduct can be brought into the lawsuit and held accountable for their actions. Further, employers can also be held accountable if their actions contributed to the crash.
Employers of commercial drivers must obtain special licensing to operate large commercial vehicles on public roadways. If a trucking company hires a truck driver with a demonstrated history of reckless driving and allows them to operate their trucks under their special licensing, they can be held directly accountable for the injuries and damages caused by their driver’s aggressive driving.
After an accident caused by an aggressive or reckless truck driver, you have legal rights that allow you to recover financial compensation for your harm.
Consulting Truck Accident lawyers
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident caused by an aggressive truck driver, contact our law firm. We can help you. We handle truck accident cases and have a demonstrated history of success, including over 400 verdicts and settlements in excess of one million dollars and a combined recovery in excess of $1 billion. We know how to hold truckers and their employers accountable under the law.
We fight for clients across Texas. Let us help you win your case by calling (281) 801-5617 or contacting us online.
