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Aggressive driving has become a deadly problem in Los Angeles and on roads throughout the state of California. Aggressive drivers create dangerous conditions for other drivers. Their behavior is unpredictable and is fueled by impatience.
It only takes a few seconds for irrational behavior from an aggressive driver to result in a serious accident or property damage. Aggressive drivers may threaten other drivers or drive erratically, engaging in behavior that causes accidents, leads to injuries, and results in property damage.
Most of us know what aggressive driving looks like when we see it. However, aggressive driving most commonly involves:
If any of these forms of aggressive driving has resulted in you or a loved one suffering serious or life-threatening injuries, you may be eligible for compensation. It is essential that you contact a Los Angeles aggressive driving attorney right away who can help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
Yes, aggressive driving is illegal in California. In California, aggressive driving that puts other drivers or property at risk is considered as reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction in California is considered as a misdemeanor offense. The penalties include up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines, loss of driving privileges, and vehicle impoundment. California also imposes charges specifically for cases of extreme reckless driving.
A vehicle may be classified as a deadly weapon if the driver used it to harm another motorist or a pedestrian. In extreme reckless driving cases, the offending driver could instead be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, which is a felony charge. An assault with a deadly weapon conviction may result in a jail sentence of up to four years and fines of as much as $10,000.
Unfortunately, aggressive driving is commonplace on California's busy roads and freeways. Frustrated drivers become angry and upset and lash out against others on the road. However, aggressive driving behaviors can never be justified under any circumstances and are putting drivers at risk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is the number one cause of traffic accidents, accounting for over 60% of accidents. Among, California cities, Los Angeles ranked highest in the state for the number of instances of road rage. In addition, California leads the nation overall with the highest number of aggressive drivers.
In addition, 50% of drivers report having responded to aggressive driving behaviors from other drivers with aggressive behavior themselves. In the past seven years, nationally 218 murders and 12,610 were the result of road rage.
In addition to pursuing criminal charges against an aggressive driver, as a victim, you have the right to file a personal injury claim in order to obtain financial compensation for your medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. The aggressive driver should not be allowed to escape the consequences of their careless actions.
An experienced aggressive driving lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of pursuing your aggressive driving claim. In order to prove aggressive driving, California courts consider a number of factors including the driver's aggressive actions, such as swerving or tailgating, the speed of the driver, and whether the driver placed other motorists in danger. The court must determine if the driver displayed clear disregard for the safety of other drivers on the road. The driver must also be proven to have purposefully disregarded safe driving practices.
If you would like to have a Los Angeles aggressive driving attorney review your case, contact us immediately. We will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your case and the maximum financial compensation owed to you. Furthermore, we never charge a fee unless we can obtain financial compensation for your damages.
With offices in Los Angeles, Torrance, Calabasas, Ontario, Costa Mesa, Glendale, and Santa Fe Springs, an experienced Bridgewater Law Group aggressive driving attorney is available to you no matter where you are located. Call us at (626) 733-4100 today to request your free consultation and speak with an experienced Los Angeles aggressive driving lawyer.
