North Carolina motorists who drive aggressively place themselves and others around them at a heightened risk of being involved in traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aggressive driving occurs when a driver commits several traffic offenses in a way that endangers the lives or property of others.
The Fatal Accident Reporting System used by the NHTSA indicates that aggressive driving was responsible for 56 percent of the fatal accidents that happened in the U.S. from 2003 to 2007. The federal agency has also found that the leading driving behavior contributing to fatal accidents in 2014 was speeding at 18.8 percent. People driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs were involved in 12.3 percent of the fatal accidents during that year.
Other types of aggressive driving behavior include following too closely, changing lanes erratically, passing on shoulders or in the median, suddenly changing speeds and reckless driving. Improper turns, ignoring traffic control devices, racing and failing to yield the right of way are all types of aggressive driving behaviors as well. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving accounted for 6.7 percent of fatal motor vehicle collisions in 2014.
Most car accidents are caused by human factors such as those described above as being aggressive. Others are the result of improper vehicle maintenance or defective auto parts. A person who has been injured in a collision may want to meet with an attorney to discuss the circumstances. An attorney could review the accident investigation report and other evidence such as eyewitness testimony in order to determine the party that should be held accountable for the victim’s losses through a personal injury lawsuit.
