How Dangerous Is Aggressive Driving In New York?

Greenberg & Stein On May 23, 2019

Many times, drivers become impatient on the roads in New York City and take out their frustrations by driving aggressively. Bronx car accident attorneys realize just how dangerous aggressive driving can be because many of their clients have suffered serious injuries at the hands of an aggressive driver in New York.

Aggressive driving can lead to a variety of dangerous situations on the roads of New York including:

  • Failure to break on time
  • Tailgating
  • Failure to use turn signals
  • Excessive speeding
  • Changing lanes frequently, like darting around slower vehicles
  • Distracted driving
  • Cutting in front of other motor vehicles
  • Honking, yelling, gesturing
  • Ignoring traffic signals and/or stop signs

These forms of aggressive driving may result in you or a loved one suffering serious, if not fatal injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by an aggressive driver, an experienced Bronx car accident attorney can help you recover all the damages you are entitled to.

While aggressive driving is not illegal under New York law, reckless driving, which includes many aggressive driving behaviors, is illegal. Reckless driving is defined as when someone “unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway” and therefore puts you and your loved ones in danger. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under New York laws.

There’s also a legal difference between road rage and aggressive driving in New York. Road rage is treated as a criminal offense in New York because it’s a more serious situation. Road rage happens when a driver uses their motor vehicle as a weapon or gets into a physical confrontation with another individual, whether a pedestrian or fellow driver.

An aggressive driver is defined by the New York State Police as someone “who operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of the other users of the streets and highways” on the roads of New York.

If you see an aggressive driver there are steps you can take for your own safety. They include:

1. Stay calm

2. Try to get as far away as possible from the person driving their motor vehicle aggressively.

3. Don’t engage or make eye contact with the aggressive driver as this could lead to the situation escalating into road rage

4. Try to get the license plate of the aggressive driver, pull over, and call 911.

If you or a loved one was injured by an aggressive driver, a Bronx car accident attorney may be able to help you get all the compensation you and your family deserve. However, in order to recover any compensation, you must be able to prove that the driver that caused your injuries was driving carelessly. This is because many of the aggressive driving behaviors are considered negligence under New York law.

Proving aggressive or careless driving can be difficult in New York because police officers cannot issue a ticket unless they themselves witness the driving behavior. In many cases, you have to rely on witness testimony or surveillance video to prove the driver was operating their motor vehicle in an aggressive manner. If another driver also reported the driver to the police, you and your car accident attorney may be able to use that as evidence.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a careless or aggressive driving incident, then it is important that you contact a lawyer immediately who will help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities.

The attorneys at Greenberg & Stein have handled all manner of automobile cases in New York City, including road rage and aggressive driving, and we will be here to help you along every step of the way while we fight to ensure that you receive justice for the negligent actions of someone else. While every case is different, you can be assured that our award-winning legal representation is here to help you through this difficult time. If you’ve been injured by the negligent actions of someone else, it is important that you speak immediately with a team of qualified professionals who can ensure you receive the compensation necessary to cover hospital bills, lost wages, and other damages.

We offer a free consultation and a 24-hour phone line, so don’t hesitate to call us if you are in need of an attorney in New York City. Call us today at 888-411-3966 to schedule your free legal consultation.

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