If New Yorkers are notorious for one thing, it is their aggressive driving. This bad habit can be exacerbated come summertime, when drivers are eager to get out of the city and hit the beach or their weekend getaway. Emotions can come into play when traffic stops us from enjoying our limited free time and some motorists will let their anger get the best of them. A driver who has lost control of his or her temper can quickly become a threat to other road users.
It is important to know the definition of an aggressive driver. An aggressive driver is one who operates a motor vehicle without regard for the safety himself or others, or with malicious intent. Some studies show that aggressive driving may play a role in over half of all fatal crashes on our roadways. Keep an eye out for aggressive driving techniques, which can include speeding, tailgating, passing illegally and/or making sudden and abrupt lane changes.
Even if you are not the one doing the aggressive driving, being on the road alongside an aggressive driver can be dangerous and frightening. This is why it is important to know some things you can do to decrease the probability of getting involved in a serious accident with an aggressive driver.
Do not to engage the aggressive driver in any way. Try to contain your anger when an aggressive driver cuts you off, tailgates you or is bothersome in a different manner.
Instead of retaliating against the aggressive driver, give him or her as much room as possible and stay away. Just get out of his or her way. Avoid making eye contact or gestures toward the aggressive driver as to not challenge them or escalate the situation in any way.
If the aggressive driver is persistent to the point that you fear for your safety, call local police or 911 to report the issue at hand. Get the aggressive driver’s license plate numbers, make of car, model of car and color of car so the police can easily track it.
Also, do not get out of your car or drive home if an aggressive driver is following you. You don’t want them to retaliate in the future. Instead, get to a well-populated area where there are plenty of other people around who can be witnesses.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an aggressive driving accident, call our office today. Our attorneys have over a combined century of experience dealing with aggressive driving accident cases in and around New York City and have achieved over $100 million in settlements and verdicts to prove our success record. We have spent countless hours analyzing aggressive driving accidents and we do everything from checking red light camera footage to speaking with expert witnesses to make sure justice is served. Call our office today to figure out your next steps in your aggressive driving accident. We are here to help you.
The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny has over a combined century of experience in dealing with personal injury lawsuits and has achieved over nine figures in verdicts and settlements, proving their success rate in the courtroom. Contact the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny today to figure out your next steps and speak with an attorney who cares.
