Keeping Yourself Safe from Aggressive Drivers

By Aghabegian & Associates on September 12, 2020

Reckless driving is a very real threat on the streets of Los Angeles. People can become angry, aggressive, and rash, thus putting everyone else at extreme risk for injury. Aggressive drivers are known to cause catastrophic accidents, assault other drivers and passengers, and perform incredibly risky behaviors such as running stop signs and red lights. That is why knowing how to spot an aggressive driver and knowing how to respond to them is incredibly important.

Why Aggressive Drivers Are Dangerous

When a driver allows themselves to become aggressive or enraged, they lose control over their ability to drive safely. Aggressive drivers often go too fast, ignore traffic laws, and may even be motivated to cause some sort of accident in order to get back at someone they believe slighted them. Aggressive drivers still have proper reaction times, unlike those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but they may choose not to use that better judgment because they are so overcome with anger. Aggressive drivers are, truthfully, incredibly dangerous, and are very likely to cause catastrophic auto accidents. The best thing you can do is try to avoid aggressive drivers altogether, but to do that you need to know how to spot them.

Spotting an Aggressive Driver

Aggressive drivers are not too difficult to spot. Their level of rage means that they are often very erratic and loud. Either way, you should know what to look for when you are on the road. Signs that a driver has become aggressive include:

• Constant weaving through traffic
• Tailgating
• Excessive and aggressive horn use
• Refusing to yield the right-of-way
• Blocking the lane
• Speeding
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to signal before merging or turning
• Screaming at or insulting other drivers

If you notice any of these signs, either in another driver or in the person driving your car, then you may be in serious danger. Aggressive drivers often act rashly and without thinking due to their intense level of anger. It is very possible that the aggressive driver will cause a collision, whether on purpose or by accident. Your first priority should always be your own safety.

How to Stay Safe

While your instincts may tell you to ignore the driver, as calling attention to them may upset them even more, you should always prioritize your own safety over the feelings of an already angry driver. There are a few things that you can do to ensure your own safety. Some of the best steps for you to take are:

Avoid the aggressive driver: You can do this by allowing the driver to pass you, or by taking a turn down a different street that the driver is not heading towards. It may take you off of your intended path, but it is better to be a little late to your destination than it is to risk getting in a car accident with an overly aggressive driver. If you are allowing the driver to pass you, you should be sure to keep your car running and stay inside, as parking or getting out exposes you to a potentially dangerous person.

Do not antagonize the aggressive driver: This goes for both other drivers and for anyone who may be a passenger with an aggressive driver. Antagonizing them, shouting at them, or mocking them will only put you in more danger. It is better to put distance between you and the driver and avoid interacting with them as much as possible.

Try to get out of the car: If you are a passenger being driven by an aggressive driver, then it is best that you find an opportunity to get out of the car. Do so as safely as possible, and it is best if it is at some sort of business such as a gas station or a rest stop. That way you are less likely to be a victim of the driver’s aggression.

Stay calm when you drive: Remember, aggressive drivers also put themselves at risk. If you have a tendency to become enraged when driving, then you should try to look for ways that you can cool your anger. Listen to music, pull over and take a few minutes to caalm down, or ask your passenger to drive instead.

Not following these safety tips, however, does not mean that a resulting accident is your fault. If an aggressive driver collided with you due to their rash behavior, then they are the ones liable for your damages. However, achieving compensation from an aggressive driver can prove difficult. They must have committed some act of negligence, such as speeding or tailgating, for their actions to be covered under a liability policy. Actions like road rage, or intentionally causing an accident, are often not covered by insurance companies.

To determine if you are eligible to pursue a claim after an aggressive driving accident, reach out to the compassionate and skilled Glendale car accident attorneys at call Aghabegian & Associates, PC by (818) 507-4311. We have represented accident victims throughout Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley since 1995 and can provide thorough legal advice in a free consultation.