Aggressive Driving Accidents

Many drivers are eager to get to their destinations and drive faster than the posted speed limit or weave in and out of traffic in an attempt to make quicker time. What starts as impatience unfortunately often develops into hostility, though, and drivers that operate their vehicles in a hostile or belligerent manner frequently cause collisions. Aggressive driving accidents tend to cause significant injuries that are painful and require expensive medical care, and it is advisable for anyone hurt in a collision brought about by a dangerous driver to speak to a lawyer to determine what compensation may be recoverable. Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a knowledgeable Bergen County car accident attorney who has ample experience proving that drivers should be held liable for the harm they cause, and if you were hurt in an aggressive driving accident, we will work tirelessly to help you protect your interests.

Aggressive drivers tend to tailgate other vehicles, make sudden lane changes, speed, and attempt to drive other motorists off the road. Aggressive driving is dangerous, frequently causes serious collisions, and is illegal under New Jersey law. Specifically, New Jersey’s motor vehicle and traffic regulation dictates that people who drive automobiles carelessly, in a manner that demonstrates a wanton or willful disregard of the safety or rights of others that endangers or is likely to endanger a person or property, are guilty of reckless driving. Acts that constitute aggressive driving include but are not limited to driving too closely behind another car, driving outside of a lane of traffic, overtaking and passing vehicles, and driving too fast for conditions.

People injured in an accident caused by an aggressive motorist may be able to pursue negligence claims against the driver in a civil lawsuit. A plaintiff in a lawsuit arising out of a collision will typically allege a negligence claim against the defendant.

In New Jersey, in order to establish a defendant’s negligence, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty, which is generally the obligation to exercise the care a reasonable person would use under the circumstances. The plaintiff must then prove that the defendant’s actions constitute a departure from the duty owed. Lastly, the plaintiff must produce evidence that demonstrates that the defendant’s breach of the duty owed proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable losses. In other words, the accident would not have occurred absent the defendant’s breach. While the defendant’s behavior does not have to be the sole cause of the collision, it must be a primary factor in bringing it about.

Negligence can be asserted regardless of whether the defendant was cited for violating a motor vehicle and traffic regulation. If the defendant received a citation for reckless driving, the plaintiff can introduce the citation as evidence of the defendant’s negligence, however.

A plaintiff who proves a defendant’s aggressive driving caused an accident may be awarded the cost of any medical treatment, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages. In many instances, a large portion of the damages awarded to a plaintiff in a car accident case will consist of compensation for the mental anguish, suffering, and emotional trauma endured due to the accident and the injuries the plaintiff sustained.

Aggressive drivers often have no regard for other people on the road, and they should be required to pay for any losses caused by their reckless actions. If you sustained injuries in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, you may be owed damages, and it is in your best interest to speak to a lawyer. Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. possesses the knowledge and experience required to obtain a favorable outcome, and if you engage his services, he will zealously advocate on your behalf. Mr. Leopold’s offices are located in Hackensack and New York City, and he frequently represents people hurt in aggressive driving accidents in cases in Bergen County and cities throughout Hudson, Passaic, and Essex Counties in New Jersey, and Bronx, Richmond, Kings, New York, Queens, and Rockland Counties in New York. You can reach him through the form online or at his New Jersey office at (201) 345-5907 or his New York office at (646) 650-2106 to set up a confidential and free consultation.