JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Driving in heavy Philadelphia traffic or in congested areas can be quite stressful—especially when others operate their vehicles in an unsafe manner. Many of us have experienced situations on the road in which another driver was purposely driving in a reckless way. That type of driving is commonly known as aggressive driving, and it is very dangerous!

Although aggressive driving is hard to describe, we all know what it looks like when we see it. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA) says aggressive driving occurs when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” Aggressive drivers typically exhibit the following driving behaviors:

1. Following the car in front of them too closely—tailgating
2. Speeding
3. Failing to yield the right of way to other drivers
4. Running stop signs and stop lights
5. Driving too fast for the traffic or weather conditions
6. Making illegal u-turns and other improper turns
7. Driving on the shoulder, in a ditch, or on the median in order to pass another driver
8. Passing on the wrong side, passing without enough room, passing without enough visibility, or passing in a no passing zone
9. Neglecting to signal before changing lanes
10. Weaving in and out of traffic
11. Shouting, beeping, flashing lights, and making hand gestures at other drivers

In a 2009 analysis of NHTSA data by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, researchers found that almost 56 percent of fatal crashes that occurred between 2003 and 2007 involved aggressive driving. The most common aggressive driving behavior was speeding—a factor in 33 percent of the fatal accidents reviewed.

Crash data supports what we all know instinctively—aggressive driving is a dangerous practice resulting in serious accidents and even death. If you or a loved one has been the victim of an aggressive driver, contact a Philadelphia car crash attorney at Mednick, Mezyk, and Kredo. We regularly help clients injured due to the negligence or carelessness of other drivers to obtain the compensation they deserve. Give us a call today at 888-807-9675. We will provide you with a no-obligation case evaluation and help you to understand your legal options.