How Are Aggressive and Reckless Driving Different?

 Posted on September 26, 2024 in Auto Accidents

Anybody can have a bad day. Busy schedules, stressful situations at work or home, and traffic congestion can irritate drivers, sometimes causing them to act in ways they typically would not. Whether due to stress, rushing to reach a destination, casual indifference, or intentional malice, aggressive or reckless driving is behind many car accidents.

Reckless and aggressive driving are negligent, which may give you grounds to file a personal injury claim if you are injured in a crash. An experienced attorney from Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can investigate your collision and find supporting evidence to help you collect the compensation you deserve.

What Is the Difference Between Reckless and Aggressive Driving?

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different types of behaviors. Reckless driving generally means unsafe driving behaviors without any ill intent. Examples include:

• Driving too fast for the conditions

• Passing a stopped school bus

• Failing to use turn signals

• Improper passing or merging

• Driving with a cracked windshield that obstructs the view

Although these unsafe behaviors can cause collisions, the driver is usually not trying to provoke or harm others. These drivers may be distracted or fatigued, for example.

With aggressive driving, on the other hand, the driver is intentionally attempting to intimidate or harass other motorists. Deliberate actions that are considered to be aggressive include intentionally:

• Tailgating

• Driving in the wrong direction in a traffic lane

• Brake checking

• Cutting other drivers off

• Passing vehicles at high speeds and leaving little room when re-entering in front of them

• Chasing cars

• Abrupt lane changes

Road rage is real, posing significant danger to the driver’s intended victim and surrounding vehicles. You could be an innocent bystander involved in a crash because you were trying to avoid the aggressive driver, even if that driver did not hit you. You deserve compensation, and your lawyer from Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can help you get it.

What Kinds of Accidents and Injuries Do Aggressive and Reckless Drivers Cause?

Many of these collisions happen at high speeds, which means there is a higher likelihood of victims sustaining severe injuries. Common crash types include sideswipes, rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, and head-on crashes. Injuries can range from broken bones and organ damage to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.

Your settlement amount depends on case-specific factors, such as your assigned percentage of fault, the total of your accident-related expenses, and how significantly the accident impacted your life. Your damages may include:

• Lost income

• Property damage

• Medical treatment and additional care

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of consortium

When you choose Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C., we will evaluate your eligible damages, which may include punitive damages if an aggressive or reckless driver caused your crash. We will then do everything we can to see you collect the highest possible compensation amount.

Contact Our Skilled Kane County, IL Car Accident Lawyers Today

You should not be left to pay the price of an aggressive or reckless driver’s negligence. Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. will protect your best interests and help you hold that driver accountable. Call 630-907-0909 now for your free consultation with our dedicated Aurora, IL personal injury attorneys.