Aggressive driving is too prevalent in Roswell and throughout Georgia. Aggressive drivers can show up out of nowhere, and the damage they leave behind can impact lives forever. If you or someone you love was injured because of dangerous driving behaviors, it’s time to talk to a Roswell aggressive driving accident lawyer.
Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates have been helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve for more than 20 years. We are not afraid to “strong-arm” insurance companies and prevent them from taking advantage of victims. Plus, we do not charge a fee unless we win you money, so there’s no need to stress about the cost of getting legal help.
Contact us today and we’ll discuss the details of your case (and how we can help you) during a FREE, no-risk consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started for FREE today.
What Aggressive Driving Means in Roswell
Aggressive driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” The term was born in the 1990s to describe dangerous driving behavior on the roads, but aggressive drivers have been around since humans began operating motor vehicles.
Behaviors that could be categorized as aggressive driving include:
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Tailgating (following another vehicle too closely)
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Honking at other drivers for non-emergency reasons
- Running stop signs or stop lights
- Racing
- Preventing another driver from changing lanes
- And more
Aggressive driving rarely results solely from another driver’s actions on the road. Many aggressive drivers show aggression on the road as a way of taking out stressors or frustrations in their life. However, no matter the reason for aggressive driving, motorists have a duty to drive safely and not put others in harm’s way.
If you were hurt in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, you should not have to pay for their negligence. A lawyer can help you build a case and file an injury claim to seek compensation.
To speak with one of our attorneys about your legal options today, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
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Aggressive Driving Versus Road Rage
Aggressive driving and road rage are often used interchangeably, but one is more serious than the other:
- Aggressive driving is a traffic offense, but
- Road rage is an actual criminal offense.
If aggressive driving escalates, it can easily turn into road rage. Examples of road rage include chasing another vehicle, bumping up against another vehicle, using the vehicle as a weapon, or exiting a vehicle to brandish a weapon at another driver.
Both aggressive driving and road rage are dangerous behaviors that can lead to serious injuries and even death. That’s why it’s so important to seek legal help and know your recovery options if you were the victim of an aggressive driving accident in Roswell.
Fault and Liability in an Aggressive Driving Accident
Driving aggressively greatly increases the chance of an accident happening. Legally speaking, aggressive driving is negligent behavior, and negligence is a key factor in any car accident case.
All drivers in Roswell have a duty of care to act in a way that doesn’t cause harm to other people on the road. If a driver is being aggressive, they are breaching that duty of care and putting other drivers at risk.
To seek compensation for your damages from an aggressive driving accident, you will need to prove the other driver was at fault by showing that:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care (as described above),
- The other driver breached that duty of care,
- Your aggressive driving accident directly resulted from the other driver’s breached duty, and
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident.
Even if you know each of the above statements is true, you must prove them through a personal injury case. You can file a claim with the aggressive driver’s insurance company to pursue a settlement for your damages. However, it’s best to proceed with an experienced lawyer who can handle the insurance company.
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t like to pay much on injury claims. Even if the adjuster seems nice and concerned about you, they care most about the insurance company’s bottom line. Your lawyer can protect your legal rights by handling all communication and negotiations with the insurance company.
Partial Fault in a Roswell Aggressive Driving Accident
Sometimes, more than one party is at fault in an accident. If you are worried you might be partly to blame in an aggressive driving accident, you may still have legal options.
Under Georgia’s comparative negligence laws (Georgia Code section 51-12-33), you can still recover damages as long as you are not 50% or more responsible for the injuries or damages you’re claiming. Your compensation would simply be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold.
An aggressive driving lawyer in Roswell can help determine the compensation you deserve based on your percentage of fault in the accident. That being said, we find that many accident victims are quick to blame themselves even if they really hold no responsibility for the crash. That’s why it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer about the details and know exactly where you stand.
What to Do If You Were in an Accident with an Aggressive Driver in Roswell
If you find yourself the victim of an aggressive driver in Roswell, here are some things you can do to begin building a case and protecting your legal rights:
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Use your phone camera to take pictures of your injuries, your vehicle damage, and the entire accident scene.
- Talk to any eyewitnesses and get their contact information (so your lawyer can reach out to them for statements soon).
- See a doctor as soon as possible if you didn’t need emergency medical attention at the scene.
- Keep track of all medical records, receipts, missed workdays, and other evidence of your costs from the accident.
It’s also best to contact an aggressive driving accident lawyer as soon as you can after the accident. They can help you with all of the above and more.
Speak with a Roswell Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Aggressive driving is serious in Roswell. If another driver’s aggression caused your accident and injuries, you should not have to pay. Contact John Foy & Associates to get the legal assistance you deserve today.
For over 20 years, we have been helping accident victims recover their costs from an accident they did not cause. We can help you, too—starting with a FREE consultation. To get started with your FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form