Being involved in an accident can be frustrating and painful. When aggressive drivers cause accidents, it is essential to protect yourself in the aftermath to ensure you are not a target of any further acts of aggression.
Recognizing aggressive behaviors and seeking help from our Bridgeport car accident attorneys are some ways you can protect your health, well-being, and legal rights.
What is Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving is often referred to as road rage. Several actions constitute aggressive driving. These include:
- Leaning on the horn: This behavior can contribute to a stressful driving environment, disturb other road users, and potentially escalate tensions between drivers.
- Tailgating: Tailgating can lead to dangerous situations, increasing the likelihood of rear-end collisions, reduced reaction times, and heightened stress for both the tailgater and the driver being followed.
- Speeding: Speeding involves driving a vehicle at speeds exceeding the posted speed limits or disregarding safe driving conditions. Speeding can also contribute to a more hostile driving atmosphere, as it often involves impatience and a lack of consideration for fellow road users.
- Cursing or shouting at other drivers: Verbal aggression can escalate tensions, distract drivers from focusing on the road, and contribute to an overall negative driving experience for everyone involved.
- Making crude or threatening gestures: When drivers make crude or threatening hand gestures, it can cause fear or worry in other drivers.
- Weaving recklessly between lanes: When drivers fail to maintain a single lane of traffic and weave between lanes, they increase the risk of motor vehicle collisions.
Aggressive driving can dramatically increase the risk of accidents taking place. There are certain steps that you need to take if you are the victim of a car crash with an aggressive driver in Connecticut.
Steps to Take after a Crash with an Aggressive Driver
Although you may be confused, scared, and in pain after an accident, it is vital to take several steps to ensure you are not in danger of being harmed further.
Ensure Your Safety
If you can do so, move your vehicle off the road and into a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights to ensure your vehicle is visible to others.
Assess Your Injuries
Check if you have any visible injuries and call for emergency assistance. Even if you do not see any visible injuries, you must undergo a medical examination to determine if you have injuries that are not visible, such as internal organ injuries.
Call Law Enforcement
Even if you were involved in a minor collision, you want to call the police. You should inform law enforcement if the driver was aggressive and/or you are in fear for any reason.
Remain Calm
It is never wise to engage an aggressive driver in an aggressive manner. Instead, remain calm and avoid escalating the situation. If you are unsure whether you can maintain a calm demeanor, it is best to stay in your vehicle until law enforcement arrives.
Document the Scene
Evidence is critical when it comes to proving the cause of the crash. If you can do so, document the crash scene with pictures and video recordings.
Finally, you need to contact a Connecticut car accident lawyer to initiate legal action against the responsible party. After being harmed, you have a right to recover compensation for the losses and damages you face.
Proving Your Case and Recovering Compensation
After your crash, our Bridgeport car accident attorneys will help you prove your case against the defendant so you can recover fair compensation. Some of the damages you may recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of future earnings
- Lost wages
- Medical costs, both immediate and long-term
In addition, aggressive driving may constitute the provision of punitive damages. Strong evidence of aggressive driving can help prove that you deserve this award and that the defendant should be punished.
To ensure you recover following your crash with an aggressive driver, our Bridgeport car accident attorneys will present strong evidence against them. We will gather witness statements, a copy of the police report, and any available video footage. We will also work with experts who can recreate the circumstances surrounding the crash to show the cause of the collision. It is important to contact our Connecticut car accident lawyer immediately to get started.
Contact our Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our priority is to provide the best legal representation for those who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. Our knowledge and understanding of Connecticut’s legal system and personal injury laws ensure that our team is well-equipped to handle even the most complex cases for clients. We will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Connecticut car accident lawyer today for a consultation and see how we can assist you in getting the justice and compensation you deserve.