Greensboro Aggressive Driving Car Accident Lawyer

All motorists must drive defensively and avoid causing accidents. When drivers fail in this task by driving aggressively, recklessly, or otherwise dangerously, they put everyone on the road with them at risk of life-changing injuries and worse.

If you were injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver in Greensboro or surrounding areas of North Carolina, you could be entitled to compensation from the person who hurt you.

At Ward Black Law, our personal injury lawyers are ready to help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve. We have advocated for the rights of injured clients in Greensboro and throughout the Piedmont region for more than 40 years. We are prepared to put our experience and skills to work for you.

Contact us today to discuss your legal options for free with an aggressive driving car accident lawyer in Greensboro, NC.

What Constitutes Aggressive Driving Behavior?

Aggressive driving is a broad term that describes a range of intentionally dangerous driving behaviors, often intended to intimidate or irritate other motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.”

According to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 80 percent of drivers in the U.S. “expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage” while driving at least once in the preceding 30 days.

Some examples of common aggressive driving behaviors include:

• Speeding, especially in heavy traffic
• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Cutting off another driver
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Not signaling when changing lanes or turning
• Blocking another vehicle from changing lanes
• Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
• Failing to yield to other drivers

How Does Aggressive Driving Cause Accidents?

Drivers who act aggressively behind the wheel force other motorists to compensate for their behavior while giving themselves little room for error, thus greatly increasing the likelihood of a collision. Perhaps it’s unsurprising that the Insurance Information Institute found that aggressive driving contributed to 56 percent of all fatal car accidents in the United States in one recent five-year period.

According to data from NHTSA, the circumstances that most commonly contribute to aggressive driving are:

• Traffic delays – Highway maintenance, prior collisions, and other delays can make impatient drivers angry and lead them to behave aggressively on the road.
• Running late – Drivers often rush to get to work, pick up kids from school, or complete other tasks, which can cause them to drive aggressively.
• Disregard for others and the law – People who learn to drive from a parent or other adult who exhibits aggressive behaviors often will not only mimic those behaviors on the road but think they are acceptable. Pop culture that glamorizes such behavior can also encourage it.
• Chronic anger and a pattern of confrontation on the road – Driving can be stressful, and feeling angry in response does not necessarily mean a person is an aggressive driver. Instead, how a person expresses that anger behind the wheel can make them dangerous, particularly when aggressive behavior becomes a pattern.
• Anonymity on the road, which erodes inhibitions – Drivers have a certain degree of anonymity because they cannot see each other well or expect never to see each other again. That can cause drivers to become detached and engage in behaviors behind the wheel that they would not do under normal circumstances.

These circumstances often lead to aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding, weaving through traffic, running stop signs and red lights, failing to yield the right-of-way, and tailgating.

Injuries From Aggressive Driving Accidents

Because many aggressive driving accidents occur at high speeds, they often result in severe injuries, including:

Many people injured in severe accidents also experience mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused by Aggressive Driving?

Typically, the person whose actions directly contribute to an accident is liable for compensating any injured parties for their losses. However, it’s essential to understand that North Carolina is one of the few states that follows a pure contributory negligence rule when determining liability. That means if you were even 1 percent responsible for the accident, you would be barred from seeking compensation from the other driver in civil court.

Remember that the pure contributory negligence rule can also factor into insurance settlements in North Carolina. The other driver’s insurer will likely argue that you were at least partially to blame for an accident to avoid liability. That is why it’s crucial to hire an attorney who understands North Carolina law and has experience negotiating with insurance companies. At Ward Black Law, our objective is to demonstrate how the other driver – not you – was entirely at fault for the crash.

Aggressive Driving Laws in North Carolina

Under North Carolina Law, a person can be guilty of aggressive driving if they drive too fast for conditions, speed within city limits, or drive “carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others.” To prove that a person is guilty of driving “carelessly and heedlessly,” a prosecutor must prove that a defendant was speeding and broke at least two of the following laws:

North Carolina uses a point system in determining when a driver’s license should be suspended. A North Carolina driver found guilty of certain motor vehicle violations will have points added to their driving record. If a driver accumulates 12 points within three years, their license may be suspended for 60 days.

Keep in mind that civil liability for an aggressive driving crash is an entirely separate matter from any traffic citations for aggressive driving. A motorist can be held liable for an aggressive driving crash in civil court even if they never face aggressive driving charges or are acquitted. The burden of proof in civil cases is much less than in the criminal system.