Beeville Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer
We all know how frightening it feels to be on the road with an aggressive driver. A driver who speeds, weaves dangerously through traffic, and tailgates put everyone at risk.
More than 60 percent of drivers report aggressive behavior on the road, though about one-half of drivers also admit to occasionally being part of the problem. You are right to be concerned, as aggressive driving contributes to more than half of all fatal car crashes in the U.S.
Road rage was a contributing factor in 1,114 crashes in Texas in 2014, including 23 accidents causing incapacitating injuries and six fatal accidents, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
As a Beeville driver, itās important to be aware of the problem, recognize the behaviors, and know what your options are if youāre involved in a collision caused by an aggressive driver.
BEHAVIORS OF AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS IN BEEVILLE
Not only is it important to avoid becoming an aggressive driver, but itās also important to recognize the warning signs of driver aggression and road rage, so you can keep your cool and stay safe on the road:
- Lane blocking: Aggressive drivers often stay in the left lane and refuse to let others pass.
- Tailgating: Driving too close to the car in front makes a rear-end collision likely.
- Lack of signal use: Failure to indicate that one is about to turn or change lanes leaves other drivers unable to react in time.
- Road rage: Using obscene hand gestures or yelling out the window often results can cause a situation spiraling out of control. Do not respond in kind to a driver who acting out.
- Too much horn: Honking the horn unnecessarily can be a form of road rage and is just plain distracting to other drivers.
- Headlight use: If another car is approaching, drivers should keep their headlights on a low beam. Passing with high beams on, or retaliating to bad behavior by switching on the high beams, is aggressive driving behavior.
- Aggressive eye contact: If an aggressive driver is trying to pick a fight, avoid eye contact completely and do not engage in any way. Call the police.
HOW TO AVOID DANGER AND FINES IN BEEVILLE FOR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
The state of Texas takes aggressive driving seriously and has taken firm measures to remove these dangerous drivers from the road. Motorists can be fined $200 for every violation associated with aggressive driving, and a conviction can mean jail time.
To avoid these penalties and the risk of being held responsible for an accident, keep your emotions in check on the road and leave enough time for your journey so that you are not thrown into a frustrated state if you are delayed. Be aware of your surroundings. Always check the other drivers on the road and be sure to give them plenty of space. Pay attention to their speed and maneuverability, as well as any reckless driving behavior they may exhibit. It is important not to retaliate. If someone is driving aggressively in Beeville, avoid responding with aggressive behaviors of your own. This could only lead to a more dangerous and escalated situation.
You can always pull over if possible. If the aggressive driver is following you or creating a road hazard, find a safe place to pull over so that you can diffuse the situation, and if all else fails, call the authorities. Itās better to be safe than sorry.
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER ACCIDENT
Being in an accident can be confusing and traumatizing. Familiarizing yourself with what to do after sustaining an injury can put you on the right path. After a road rage accident, you should take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention āSeeking a medical evaluation after an accident can provide documentation of your injuries and how they occurred. Insurance companies will look for medical documentation when considering your injury claim.
- Gather medical documents ā Keep a file containing your hospital bills, prescription labels, surgery invoices, physical therapy bills, and more.
- Donāt post on social media ā Insurance companies and defense lawyers can use anything you post against you to undermine your claim. If you post photos of a recent outing or vacation, for example, the insurer may use your photos to contend your injuries are less severe than you claim. Refrain from posting anything on social media until the claim is resolved.
- Consult with an attorney ā Working with an attorney is often your best shot at getting the fair compensation you need to recover financially after an accident.
YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS AFTER A BEEVILLE CAR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
If an aggressive driver causes an accident in Texas, he or she may be held responsible for the injuries caused. Following an accident involving an aggressive driver, you should speak with an experienced lawyer to help you file your case and move forward. At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our car accident attorneys can assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve, whether that means through an insurance claim or legal action filed in civil court. Contact us for a free case evaluation or should you have other questions about car accidents.
Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
Sources:
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials: Aggressive Driving: Type of Problem Being Addressed
- Department of Motor Vehicles: Behaviors of Aggressive Driving
- Texas Department of Transportation: Aggressive Drivers
TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST SETTLEMENT AFTER AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER ACCIDENT
You deserve compensation if you were injured due to someone elseās aggression or road-raging actions. Follow these tips for getting the best personal injury settlement possible:
- Gather evidence ā Preserve valuable evidence of the accident, such as photos and videos of the accident scene, a copy of the police accident report, and medical records.
- Seek medical treatment ā Get treated as soon as possible after the accident.
- Calculate damages āAn attorney can gather your medical bills and accident-related losses and estimate the value of your case. Knowing the full extent of your financial and non-financial losses is a good idea.
- Donāt accept any initial offers ā If the insurance company makes a quick settlement offer, it probably isnāt very generous, even if it may seem that way. Donāt sign anything an insurance company presents without consulting a personal injury lawyer.
- Consult with an attorney ā Navigating the claims process on your own while recovering from your injuries is never a good idea. An experienced personal injury attorney at Herrman & Herrman will have the time, knowledge, and resources to build a successful case and pursue the compensation you need.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN P.L.L.C. AT 361.882.4357
Our firm has over 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases across Texas. Our outstanding record of favorable settlements and verdicts includes over 20,000 successfully resolved cases. Once we take on a case, we are relentless, and you can rely on us to pursue total compensation for you.
- You can trust our attorneys to be compassionate and professional.
- We will fight hard to obtain a fair settlement for you.
- Our firm represents the injured and families who have lost a loved one due to the negligent acts of others.
- We serve as counsel in various injury cases ā including car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents, premises liability cases, product liability cases, and medical malpractice claims.
- We can dispatch the Herrman & Herrman Accident Investigative Team to the crash scene to start an investigation and preserve critical evidence.