Aggressive Driving Accidents
Legal Assistance for People Seriously Injured in Washington Aggressive Driving Accidents
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if you have had a loved one killed, in a Washington motor vehicle accident caused by an aggressive driver, you may be seeking answers to your legal questions. The Farber Law Group, a Bellevue personal injury legal practice, may be of assistance to you.
Aggressive driving is a serious problem on our streets, roads, and highways as it may lead to or cause a motor vehicle accident and endangers a person's safety or property. Aggressive driving can occur on any street, road, or highway but, according to AAA, 70% of aggressive driving occurs during daylight hours and on main roads. Highway congestion and frustration are factors in aggressive driving behavior.
What Is Aggressive Driving?
The definition of aggressive driving can vary. Law enforcement agencies and the legislature have worked together in an attempt to define and penalize aggressive driving. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration defines aggressive driving as "operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, pushy or impatient manner, often unsafe, which directly affects other drivers."
Aggressive Driving Behaviors
Aggressive drivers exhibit various behaviors including:
Driving at a speed that is different than the speed limit or the speed driven by other motor vehicles on the roadway at the time.
Driving erratically causing other drivers to take evasive actions.
Blowing the horn and flashing other drivers.
Tailgating.
Multiple lane changes.
Drag or street racing.
Refusing to allow other drivers to pass.
Harassing other drivers with gestures and words in an attempt to enrage the other driver.
Failing to obey traffic signs and signals, i.e., driving through stop signs, jumping lights, and speeding or slowing.
Driving in other aggressive manners including ignoring freeway ramp meters and driving on the road shoulder.
Washington State "Aggressive Driving" Law
If you have been in a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle accident and you believe the other driver was driving aggressively, the accident report filed by the police or Highway Patrol may provide some clues. If the other driver was cited for violating RCW 46.61.525 "Negligent Driving in the Second Degree -- operating a motor vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property," then the other driver was cited for aggressive driving.
How an Experienced Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have been seriously injured or you have had a loved one seriously injured or killed and the other motorist was cited for negligent driving, then you most likely have a valid claim for compensation. An experienced personal injury can help. The sooner your attorney can interview witnesses; get a copy of the police report; obtain any surveillance videotapes or cell phone records, the better. All of these records as well as your medical records can allow your attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Herb Farber and the attorneys in the network of The Farber Law Group provide a FREE case consultation to people seriously injured in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. If your injuries are serious and you cannot come to see us, we can arrange to visit you at Harborview Medical Center, Overlake Hospital Emergency & Trauma Center, Evergreen Hospital, or one of the other trauma centers throughout the state. We have represented injured victims for more than 45 years and we believe every injured person should have access to legal advice. For your Free and Confidential consultation, contact us today at (800) 244-9087.