Experienced Aggressive Driver Attorneys in Minnesota
A vehicle with an aggressive driver behind the wheel should be considered a lethal, deadly weapon. The tragic facts are that, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, road rage accounts for hundreds of fatal crashes nationwide. In a recent year, Minnesota had 381 fatalities caused by car accidents, with over 50 percent of those deaths resulting from an aggressive driver. Though the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Minnesota drivers are among the kindest throughout the U.S., there are still people who have anger issues on our state’s roads and highways.
When a driver is impatient and thinks they are a “good” driver versus a “bad driver,” such as someone going too slow (in their mind) in a passing lane, the simmering rage inside of them may cause them to behave irrationally and dangerously. The anger they feel may cause the aggressive driver to take it out on an innocent car operator. Though probably everyone has gotten angry because of another driver’s mistakes or poor judgment, when a driver doesn’t control their anger, serious accidents and injuries can occur. Some of those injuries will lead to death.
What Is Considered Aggressive Driving in Minnesota?
A vehicle operator who drives unsafely, or deliberately maneuvers their vehicle to do something harmful with disregard for others safety should be considered an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving is a traffic offense punishable by a citation and fines (and sometimes license suspension) and is even worse if an accident was caused, especially if there were injuries involved. Aggressive driving is not an innocent act or a mistake. When an aggressive driver causes an accident, there may also be criminal penalties. Although aggressive driving and road rage are often used interchangeably, there are some differences.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, aggressive driving includes the following types of behavior:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Running a red light
- Rolling “stop” at stop signs
- Honking in anger
- Not signaling when changing lanes
- Cutting in front of another vehicle then slowing down
- Braking to force another driver to brake
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Turning on headlights to annoy another driver
- Speeding up when another driver is trying to pass
- Blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes
- Following a vehicle too close to prevent another vehicle from passing
What is Considered Road Rage in Minnesota?
When aggressive driving escalates to road rage, here’s how it can manifest:
- Rude and obscene gestures
- Forcing a driver off the road
- Sideswiping
- Ramming
- Throwing objects at the other vehicle
- Getting out of the car to confront the other driver
- Physical altercations
- Threatening with violence
- Actual violence
- Brandishing a weapon
Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Are Serious Traffic and Criminal Violations
Here are the sobering and frightening NHTSA, AutoVantage Club, and Safe Motorist statistics on aggressive driving and road rage:
- 66% of fatal car accidents are caused by aggressive drivers
- 37% of road rage incidents involved a firearm
- 12,810 injuries and 218 murders occurred in the U.S. over seven years because of aggressive driving and road rage
Minnesota Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Penalties
The criminal penalties imposed for reckless driving, a misdemeanor, may vary depending on the incident circumstances. In general, the penalties for non-injury reckless driving include up to 90 days in jail and/or fines of $1,000. For reckless or aggressive driving that caused serious bodily injury to another driver or their passengers, a gross misdemeanor, the penalties carry up to one- year incarceration and/or fines of $3,000. Some instances may rise to the level of a felony, which carry much greater consequences.
What You Should Do If You’ve Been Injured in An Aggressive Driving Accident
If you’ve been the injury victim of an aggressive driver or a road rage incident, you may need help filing a claim with the insurance companies or proceeding to civil court to recover the damages you are entitled to recover. The highly experienced car accident Minnesota personal injury attorneys at Siebens Edmunds Miller are qualified to help ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries.
We will navigate the claims and legal procedures within the statute of limitation deadlines to protect your rights when you’ve been injured in a car accident because of an aggressive driver.
Contact Us For A Free, No-Obligation Case Evaluation
A no-obligation consultation and case review with our knowledgeable, compassionate car accident attorney team is free. And as our client, you’ll never pay a penny to us up-front. We’ll cover all the costs until we achieve a financial settlement for your injuries.
So, don’t hesitate to call us today at (651) 994-6744 or message us here to schedule our meeting. We are eager to help!
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