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Illinois, like the majority of states, does not currently have a specific state law that addresses aggressive driving. Nevertheless, aggressive drivers are liable for any accident injuries that they cause because aggressive drivers who cause crashes are negligent. Additionally, aggressive drivers may violate specific statutes, such as speeding laws, depending on their actions.
What Is Aggressive Driving in Illinois?
Aggressive driving covers a wide range of driving behaviors, including:
- Driving too close to the car in front of you
- Yelling or making angry gestures at another driver
- Honking the horn in frustration or anger
- Purposefully cutting off another vehicle
- Refusing to let another vehicle merge into traffic
- Speeding
- Speeding up to make it through a yellow light
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
- Driving on the shoulder of the road to move around traffic
- Weaving through traffic
- Illegally passing another vehicle
- Failing to signal a turn or lane change
- Racing another vehicle
- Refusing to yield the right of way
Whether an aggressive driver does one of these things or many of these things, the driver puts other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists at risk of serious injury.
Injuries Caused by Aggressive Drivers
Aggressive drivers can cause dangerous accidents. Depending on the type of crash that occurs and other factors, other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists can suffer injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Pregnancy complications or loss
In the most extreme cases, an aggressive driver can cause a fatality.
Aggressive Drivers Are Legally Responsible for Injuries They Cause
An aggressive driver may be a negligent driver who is liable for paying financial damages after a car crash if:
- The driver owed other drivers a duty of care. All drivers owe everyone else on the road a duty of care, and this element of negligence is typically easily met.
- The driver failed to act as a reasonable driver would in a similar situation. An aggressive driver is not a reasonable driver. Any of the behaviors described above or any other form of aggressive behavior may be evidence that the driver who caused your crash did not act like a reasonable driver.
- The driver’s aggressive behavior caused your accident injuries. You must prove that you would not have been hurt but for the driver’s unreasonable and, in this case, aggressive behavior.
- You have a legal right to recover damages in an Illinois car accident lawsuit.
If you can prove that an aggressive driver’s negligence caused your injuries, then you may recover damages for the injuries you suffered. Damages may include, but are not always limited to past and future:
You must present evidence that proves the value of your injuries before an insurance company will settle your claim or the court will award you damages.
Take Legal Action After an Aggressive Driving Accident
You deserve to make a fair recovery if you are hurt by an aggressive driver in Illinois. However, you have to take action to get the recovery that you deserve.
Do not trust the aggressive driver’s insurance company to protect your interests. The insurance company is concerned with protecting its financial profit, not your fair recovery. You need a dedicated Illinois car accident lawyer on your side who will fight to protect your rights.
Illinois insurance companies know that Hupy and Abraham means business, and this often makes them more willing to offer our clients a fair settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial. If, however, the insurance company remains unwilling to settle your case for an amount that fairly compensates you for your car crash injuries, then our experienced lawyers will not hesitate to go to court to represent your interests.
To learn more about your rights and how Hupy and Abraham can help you after an Illinois aggressive driving accident, we encourage you to call us or start a live chat with us at any time. We would be pleased to offer you a free, no-obligation consultation in any of our Illinois offices or your home or hospital room.
