Aggressive Driving
Our New Jersey Auto Accident Lawyers Hold Careless Drivers Responsible
Most of us have driven aggressively at one point or another, and for most of us, that’s as far as it goes – an occasional lapse. Habitually aggressive drivers, however, are a public menace. If you have been injured by the carelessness or downright recklessness of an aggressive driver, your response needs to be equally aggressive – at the negotiating table or, if necessary, in court. At Lomurro Law, this is exactly what our New Jersey car accident lawyers do every day.
What Constitutes Aggressive Driving?
There are many forms of aggressive driving, some of which do not directly involve the offending driver’s vehicle. Some examples appear below:
- “Flipping off” another driver
- Racing
- Cutting someone off in traffic, especially a motorcycle
- Speeding up to prevent someone from passing
- Failure to use turn signals
- Weaving through traffic, especially at high speeds
- Tailgating
- Speeding up rather than slowing down in response to a yellow light
- Running a red light
- Speeding
- Any abrupt maneuver that doesn’t give other drivers time to react
- Honking in a continual, provocative manner
If aggressive driving causes an accident, whether the driver’s aggressiveness constituted negligence (rendering him liable for damages) is for the jury to decide if the case goes to court. This is true even if the aggressive driver’s act constituted a direct violation of traffic law such as speeding.
How A DUI Affects Your Claim
Drunken drivers tend to be aggressive, and it is good news for your claim if the defendant is convicted of DUI arising from the accident. Nevertheless, a conviction doesn’t guarantee victory. Even if the defendant is acquitted of DUI, however, you can still try to prove the defendant was intoxicated in civil court, and you won’t necessarily lose your claim even if you fail to prove intoxication – it is negligence in general, not intoxication in particular, that is the real issue.
Your Compensation Could Far Exceed Your Medical Bills
A properly formulated personal injury claim encompasses far more than simple reimbursement for your medical bills. In most cases, it should also include a claim for lost earnings if you lost work time due to the accident and pain and suffering damages, which can amount to several times the amount you receive for medical bills. Punitive damages may even be possible for, say, an intentional “road rage” accident.
Insurance Companies Don’t Like Us – And We Don’t Blame Them
The great majority of our clients end up with out-of-court settlements rather than courtroom verdicts. In some cases, however, a trial is necessary to secure adequate compensation. Either way, the New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Lomurro Law are ready to secure maximum compensation for your injuries. Call us today at 732-482-9285 or simply complete our online contact form to arrange a free consultation in our Freehold or by videoconference.