According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, aggressive drivers speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, honk, flash lights, and make inappropriate hand and facial gestures as well as other frequent and abrupt movements. These behaviors give drivers less room for error by lessening reaction time.
Aggressive driving can lead to serious accidents. If you or a loved one are a victim of an aggressive driving accident in the Minneapolis area, you may want to consider hiring a Minneapolis aggressive driving accident lawyer. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233 to speak with a member of our team about your case. We offer a free, no-risk consultation. In other words, you have nothing to lose by giving us a call.
Aggressive Driving in Minnesota
On Minnesota roadways, Minnesota State Patrol received more than 57,000 driving complaints and 119 gun-pointing incidents in 2015 alone. A six-year study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, published in the American Psychological Association’s Monitor, found a connection between increased commute times and road rage that may point to partial blame.
In another alarming report from 2014, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety learned that more than 78% of 3,000 licensed drivers stated that they had engaged at least once in aggressive driving behavior in the previous year. Male drivers under the age of 39 were the most likely to report having driven aggressively.
People drive aggressively for many reasons. No matter the reason, aggressive drivers are not strictly focused on their main task of driving and might be negligent as a result.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (MDOT), 75 people were killed in Minnesota due to speed-related accidents in 2019, most of them having occurred in the summer months when roads are dry and drivers feel more secure about the risks involved.
The MDOT advises that if you encounter an aggressive driver, you should:
- Safely stay out of their way
- Remain calm
- Do not challenge them
- Avoid eye contact
- Ignore gestures
- Report their vehicle description, location, and license plate number
- Find a safe place to call 911 or report the incident online
Despite these pointers, many times, an aggressive driver and a resulting collision is unavoidable.
For a free legal consultation with a aggressive driving accidents lawyer serving Minneapolis, call (844) 730-0233
Aggressive Driving Costs
When you are the victim of an aggressive driving accident, you most likely are the victim of injuries and many costs that may include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Loss of job
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Car repairs or replacement
- Towing or rental car costs
- Pain and suffering
In addition, if a loved one died as a result of an aggressive driving accident, you may also be facing:
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of loved one’s income
- Emotional distress
You should not have to pay for costs stemming from an accident due to someone else’s recklessness. They should be held liable, not you. A lawyer can help you by attempting to recover some or all of these costs on your behalf.
Minneapolis Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Deciding to Hire a Lawyer is a Step Towards Recovery
When you make the decision to hire a lawyer, you are making a step towards recovery. A Minneapolis aggressive driving accident lawyer is ready to fight for your rights. They can work for you for the duration of your case while you focus on your treatment and recovering from your injuries.
They will gather evidence by interviewing witnesses, looking over police reports and medical records, and visiting the accident scene. They may have accident reconstruction experts try and fill in any missing facts as to what exactly happened and how.
Once the evidence is gathered, they will determine liability by attempting to prove fault or negligence. To prove negligence, a lawyer must show four things:
- Duty of care: The defendant, like every other driver, has a legal duty of care to other motorists on the road.
- Breach of duty of care: A breach in the duty of care exists if a motorist was reckless or careless while driving.
- Causation: The defendant must have caused harm or injuries to the plaintiff or close family member of the plaintiff.
- Damages: Actual damages, usually monetary, must have been incurred due to the accident. You might also be able to show that you had emotional losses as a result of the accident.
A lawyer will determine the actual dollar amount of the damages and try to negotiate a settlement on your behalf with the insurance company. If they have to go to court, they will. They will not shy away from a tough case.
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Help is Just a Phone Call Away
Minnesota Statutes § 541.07 states that a personal injury claim has to be filed within two years of the date of the injury, and according to Minnesota Statutes § 573.02, most wrongful death actions must be filed within three years of the date of the death. Litigation takes time, so you do not want to delay. If you miss the deadline for filing your personal injury claim, the court will generally bar you from recovering any compensation at all.
A Minneapolis aggressive driving accident lawyer can help you get started right away. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for your free, no-obligation consultation. Our legal team is ready to take your call and schedule your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing up front or out of pocket. We only receive a payment after we obtain a settlement for you.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form