When a driver decides the rules don’t apply to them, the consequences can be life-changing for others on the road. A Naperville car accident lawyer can help you file a claim and hold the driver responsible for your crash accountable.
Victims of aggressive driving accidents often face severe injuries and prohibitive medical bills. An aggressive driving accident lawyer in Naperville from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
How a Naperville Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Naperville aggressive driving accident lawyer knows how to build a strong case that shows exactly how your crash happened and why the other driver is responsible. They can help by:
- Investigating the accident and preserving evidence
- Handling communication with insurance companies
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Preparing your case for trial if a fair settlement is not offered
Compensation Available After an Aggressive Driving Accident
Victims of aggressive driving accidents may be entitled to compensation for both financial and personal losses. Types of damages you may be able to pursue include:
- Medical expenses: You can recover the costs of emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and future medical treatment related to your injuries.
- Lost income: You can seek compensation for wages you missed out on while recovering and for reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same type of work.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and the loss of enjoyment of daily life caused by the accident.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the crash.
In cases involving intentional or reckless conduct, you can also pursue punitive damages meant to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their dangerous behavior. A Naperville personal injury lawyer can explain the types of compensation you qualify for.
How Insurance Companies Handle These Claims
Insurance companies treat aggressive driving accident claims aggressively themselves. Their goal is to pay as little as possible, even when the insured driver clearly acted recklessly. They may try to:
- Downplay the severity of your injuries
- Question whether aggressive driving actually occurred
- Claim you provoked the other driver
- Pressure you into taking a low settlement
An aggressive driving accident attorney in Naperville can handle conversations with adjusters and help you avoid making mistakes that would hurt your claim.
Who Is Liable for an Aggressive Driving Accident?
Liability in aggressive driving cases usually falls on the at-fault driver, but proving it is not always easy. Insurance companies often argue that the victim contributed to the crash or that the aggressive behavior cannot be proven. Evidence that may be used to establish liability includes:
- Police reports noting aggressive or reckless behavior
- Traffic citations or criminal charges
- Eyewitness statements
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Cell phone records showing distraction or provocation
Why Aggressive Driving Accidents Are So Dangerous
Aggressive driving accidents tend to result in severe injuries because they often involve high speeds and sudden, unpredictable maneuvers. Victims have little time to react, which increases the likelihood of violent impacts. These crashes frequently involve:
- Rear-end collisions at high speed
- Side-impact crashes during unsafe lane changes
- Multi-vehicle pileups caused by chain reactions
- Pedestrian or cyclist collisions in urban areas
Because of the force involved, the injuries are often more serious than those that occur in routine traffic accidents.
What Is Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving refers to dangerous behaviors that show a disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others. Unlike simple negligence, aggressive driving involves deliberate or reckless actions that increase the risk of a crash. Common examples include:
- Excessive speeding: Driving well above the posted speed limit or too fast for traffic, road, or weather conditions increases the likelihood of losing control and causing a serious collision.
- Tailgating: Following another vehicle too closely reduces reaction time and greatly increases the risk of rear-end crashes.
- Unsafe lane changes: Weaving through traffic, cutting off other drivers, or failing to signal can cause sudden collisions that other motorists cannot avoid.
- Blocking or intimidating drivers: Intentionally preventing another driver from merging or changing lanes creates dangerous situations and can escalate into road rage.
- Road rage behaviors: Yelling, making threats, chasing another vehicle, or attempting to force a collision can turn aggressive driving into intentionally dangerous conduct.
What to Do After an Aggressive Driving Accident
Your actions after a crash can significantly affect your claim. Even if you feel shaken, it’s important to:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Document the scene with photos and videos.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Avoid discussing fault with insurance companies.
- Contact an attorney to discuss your case.
Contact an Aggressive Driving Accident Attorney in Naperville
Aggressive driving accidents are not just unfortunate mistakes—they are the result of dangerous choices. If you were injured by an aggressive driver, a Naperville aggressive driving accident attorney from Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. can handle your claim and fight for a fair settlement.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss how you can get justice.
