There are plenty of qualified attorneys in Caddo Parish who handle aggressive driving cases. You are doing your research, which means something happened on a Shreveport road. Something serious enough to look into legal options. No one reads lawyer websites until they need one.
This page explains what aggressive driving is under Louisiana law, how common it is, and what your legal options look like. Read it. Compare attorneys. Make the decision that works for your situation.
Aggressive Driving Attorney in Shreveport, LA
Research shows that up to 56% of all car accidents involve aggressive driving. Aggression is the 8th leading cause of deadly wrecks in the U.S.
You can hold an aggressive driver legally responsible (liable) for the accidents, damages (financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering), injuries, and deaths they cause. If you were hurt by an aggressive driver, you may have a legal claim against them. An attorney experienced in aggressive driving cases can evaluate the specifics of your situation.
Road Rage vs. Aggressive Driving: Are They the Same?
It's easy to confuse road rage and aggressive driving, but there is a real difference.
Aggressive driving means operating a motor vehicle in a way that endangers people or property. That definition covers a wide range of behavior beyond outright illegal actions.
A few examples of aggressive driving include:
- Speeding or driving well above the posted limit
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Cutting off other drivers
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Making improper lane changes
Road rage is a more extreme version of aggressive driving. It may include actions or behaviors such as:
- Following another driver to confront them
- Deliberately ramming another vehicle
- Forcing another driver off the road
- Getting out of the vehicle to threaten or assault another driver
- Using the vehicle as a weapon
- Throwing objects at other vehicles
Neither behavior is acceptable, and both are preventable. They still cause thousands of roadway accidents every year.
How Common Is Aggressive Driving?
Most of us have seen another driver acting aggressively. A self-reporting study found that nearly 80% of drivers admitted to aggressive driving or road rage in the past year. The table below breaks down those numbers by behavior.
| Aggressive Behavior | Average Number of U.S. Drivers | % of Drivers Admitting Aggressive Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Intentional tailgating | 104 million | 51% |
| Yelling at other drivers | 95 million | 47% |
| Angry honking | 91 million | 45% |
| Angry or lewd gestures | 67 million | 33% |
| Blocking other drivers from changing lanes | 49 million | 24% |
| Intentionally cutting off other drivers | 24 million | 12% |
| Intentionally ramming into other vehicles | 5.7 million | 3% |
Aggressive driving often happens alongside other negligent (careless or reckless) behavior, like speeding. If you or someone in your family was hurt in an aggressive driving accident, an attorney can evaluate whether you have a case.
What Are Your Legal Options After an Aggressive Driving Accident in Shreveport?
If you've been in an aggressive driving accident in Shreveport, it helps to understand your legal options. You can hold the aggressive driver liable for your injuries, property damage, and other losses.
Whether you can file a lawsuit depends on a few key factors, including:
- Whether the other driver owed you a duty of care
- Whether the other driver breached that duty through aggressive behavior
- Whether the breach directly caused the accident
- Whether you suffered actual damages as a result
These requirements include some gray areas. An experienced aggressive driving accident lawyer in Shreveport can help you understand how they apply to your case.
7 Ways to Avoid an Aggressive Driver
You can't completely avoid aggressive driving from another motorist. But you can reduce the risk of an accident. Here are seven tips:
- Stay calm. If you tend to react when provoked, find ways to keep yourself steady. Matching their aggression can escalate the situation.
- Drive defensively. If you see a vehicle driving aggressively, try to avoid it. Slow down or pull over if you need to.
- Don't make eye contact. Aggressive drivers may escalate if you engage. Avoid looking them in the eye.
- Follow the rules of the road. Predictable driving reduces the risk of an accident. Other drivers can anticipate your actions.
- Don't respond aggressively. Don't let yourself react visibly. That can escalate things quickly.
- Report aggressive drivers. If you see dangerous driving, call a non-emergency police number to report it.
- Call 911 if you're in danger. If you feel endangered at any point, call 911 immediately.
Morris & Dewett Handles Aggressive Driving Cases in Shreveport
Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers has experienced aggressive driving attorneys in Shreveport. If you want to understand your options after an aggressive driving accident, the firm can walk you through the process.