Colorado Springs Aggressive Driver Accident Attorneys
Helping Victims of Colorado Springs Aggressive Driver Accidents
The road can be a dangerous place. With heavy vehicles speeding to their destination, every driver needs to be aware of the risk they could pose to those around them and act accordingly. Sadly, not everyone takes this responsibility seriously, and many drivers allow themselves to become angry and aggressive. This aggressive can, and often does, lead to risky and dangerous behavior that could easily result in catastrophic injuries, and even fatalities.
If you have become the victim of an accident with an aggressive driver, you are likely feeling incredibly afraid. When someone engages in negligent behavior out of rage, then those they harm will often be left with both physical and emotional scars. However, you shouldn’t give up hope. We at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. understand just how devastating these accidents can be and are dedicated to offering a helping hand to those who need it. With our help, you may be able to hold the aggressive driver who caused your injuries responsible for the damages that you have suffered. Call our firm at (719) 475-2555 if we sound like the right firm for you.
Watch Out for These Aggressive Driving Signs
Keeping yourself and your passengers safe on the road is an important skill every driver should have. That may mean driving defensively, periodically checking your rear-view and side mirrors, and following all traffic laws. It can also mean, however, knowing the signs that a nearby driver is becoming aggressive. Knowing the signs of an aggressive driver can help you make choices in favor of your safety. Signs of an aggressive driver may include:
- Speeding
- Swerving
- Tailgating
- Yelling
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Excessive horn use
- Cutting off other vehicles
- Illegal and sudden lane changes
Of course, you may also find yourself becoming frustrated when on the road. Allowing yourself to become an aggressive driver places not just your life, but the lives of everyone on the road with you, at extreme risk. If you find yourself becoming angry, upset, or frustrated while driving, then you should take deep breaths and allow yourself to calm down. Remind yourself about the dangers of driving aggressively. You should even consider pulling over to the side of the road so that you can take a small break while you get your emotions under control.
The Dangers of an Aggressive Driver
When we are first taught to drive, we are told to keep a level head. Driving can be stressful, and becoming overwhelmed, whether it be with panic, frustration, or anger, can cause us to make poor decisions. Unfortunately, not everyone took that lesson to heart. Aggressive drivers are incredibly dangerous, as they make decisions out of their anger, rather than the calm logic that responsible and safe driving requires.
If an aggressive driver has become upset with you, they may purposefully try to antagonize you by speeding, driving dangerously close to your vehicle, or even swerve into you. Aggressive drivers have been known to purposefully harm others, and they could easily cause an accident through their reckless behavior. If you are worried the driver near you is acting aggressively, you should:
- Allow them to pass by switching lanes or pulling over to the side of the road
- Change your route in order to avoid them
- Do not engage with the aggressive driver
- Do not slow down in order to antagonize the aggressive driver
- Do not come to a stop or get out of your car
Antagonizing an aggressive driver, whether by shouting back, slowing down, or getting out of your vehicle, can have disastrous results. Your best course of action would be to get out of their way as much as possible. If it becomes clear that the driver is following you and waiting for you to get out of your car, call 911 and ask for help.
Another danger of aggressive drivers is that they may be tempted to flee the scene of an accident that they caused through their aggressive behavior. Meaning, they may become the culprit behind a hit and run. This can make your life difficult, as filing a claim against a driver when you don’t know who they are is impossible. However, a skilled attorney can help you investigate the accident to find the at-fault party or walk you through filing a claim using an uninsured motorist policy.
Recovering Damages from an Aggressive Driver
If you were involved in an accident with an aggressive driver, then that driver is likely the at-fault party. This means that you can file a claim against them and recover damages from their insurance provider. When it comes to car accident cases, there are two categories that you can claim damages from. The first, and best known, category is economic damages. Economic damages cover all financial losses that you suffered as a direct result of the accident. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Therapy costs
Economic damages are often fairly easy to prove, as you will have a lot of documentation backing your claim up. You can present bills from the hospital, old pay stubs, and quotes from a mechanic as proof of your economic damages.
The second category is non-economic damages. This allows you to claim for things outside of monetary losses. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lowered quality of life
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment
Because there is no real price associated with non-economic damages, the amount you are claiming for may be disputed by the insurance provider, as they will want to pay you as little as possible. The best way to prove that you have suffered non- economic damages is to keep a journal detailing the pain you have been dealing with, getting testimonials from those who knew you before and after the accident on how your behavior has changed, and speaking to a medical professional about the level of pain your injuries caused you. Even with all of that, the insurance provider is likely to try to get you to take a low offer, which is why you need a skilled aggressiver driver accident attorney in Colorado Springs to fight for you.
The Best Legal Aid in Colorado Springs
Recovering damages and getting back on your feet after an accident with an aggressive driver can be a long and scary process, especially if you go about it alone. We at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. understand and are here to tell you that you do not need to be alone through this trying time. Our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys are available to review your case in a free consultation and more than happy to help. Call us at (719) 475-2555 to find out what your options are.
Additional Information
- How COVID-19 Caused a Speeding Spike
- Aggressive Driving - AAA
- Facts + Statistics: Aggressive Driving - Insurance Information Institute, Inc.
- Speeding - NHTSA
