Driving in San Antonio can be frustrating – especially on congested highways such as I-35. Drivers who get stuck in traffic may become aggressive due to their anger and exasperation with road conditions. However, there is no excuse for aggressive driving or road rage. These behaviors can result in serious accidents and injuries.
If you get injured in an aggressive driving accident in San Antonio, speak to a car accident lawyer in San Antonio about your right to recover financial compensation.
Is Aggressive Driving a Crime in Texas?
While no law in Texas specifically prohibits “aggressive driving,” if a frustrated driver’s actions involve unsafe behaviors or a moving violation, the driver could face penalties for “reckless driving.”
The state’s reckless driving law, Texas Transportation Code § 545.401, states: “A person commits an offense if the person drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
This statute can refer to many examples of dangerous driving behaviors, including breaking traffic laws. The penalty for reckless driving in Texas is a fine of up to $200 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
What Are Examples of Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving is a dangerous type of driver conduct characterized by wanton or malicious actions by a driver that displays a conscious disregard for the safety of others. It can refer to various forms of reckless or hostile driving behaviors – many of which result in car accidents, injuries and deaths.
Examples include:
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Excessive speeding or racing
- Failing to yield to others
- Improper passing
- Unsafe lane changes
- Cutting other drivers off
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Running red lights
- Making unsafe or illegal turns
- Unnecessary honking
- Making obscene gestures
Aggressive drivers are often angry, frustrated or aggravated, either by conditions on the road or personal issues. They may take out their annoyance on surrounding drivers by engaging in dangerous driving maneuvers.
What to Do After an Aggressive Driving Accident
It is critical not to engage with an aggressive driver if you get involved in a collision with one. Aggressive driver accidents can easily escalate into physical altercations, such as assault and battery or assault with a deadly weapon.
Instead, remain in your car and call 911 to report the incident. If you do not feel safe pulling over at the scene of the accident, drive directly to the nearest police station. When the police arrive, give them your side of the story for the record. Write down your police report number.
Get the aggressive driver’s name, contact information and insurance information from the police. Write down the names of any eyewitnesses. Take pictures of the crash scene before you leave, if possible. Get immediate medical care for any injuries. Finally, notify your car insurance company to file a claim.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
If your aggressive driving accident case in San Antonio has any complications or challenges, it is important to protect your rights by contacting an attorney near you right away. For example, if you were severely injured, a loved one was killed or the aggressive driver’s insurer is refuting fault, it can benefit you to hire a lawyer.
You can focus on healing while your attorney handles negotiations with a car insurance company for you. Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys offers free case evaluations to potential clients who have recently been injured in motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian collisions with aggressive drivers. Call us at (210) 405-9206 to schedule your free case review.