Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyers

Fighting Tirelessly to Hold Aggressive Drivers Accountable

In Pennsylvania, aggressive driving is a leading factor in countless highway crashes and fatalities every year. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving occurs when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses to endanger other persons or property.”

While aggressive driving on its own may be dangerous, when aggressive driving behavior escalates into an accident, people can be hurt or killed. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident as a result of another driver’s aggressive behavior, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC right away. Our Pennsylvania aggressive driving accident attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and work to hold the at-fault driver accountable.

Contact our firm online or call us at (877) 989-4878 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We answer our phones 24/7 and can provide you with a same-day appointment in most cases.

Aggressive Driving Statistics in Pennsylvania

While aggressive driving is a broad descriptor, encompassing a wide variety of unlawful and unsafe driving behaviors, it can be examined in the context of three primary driving behaviors: speeding, careless or illegal passing, and tailgating.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in Pennsylvania in 2019:

• Speeding was a contributing factor in 29,978 crashes, 385 of which were fatal
• Careless/illegal passing was a contributing factor in 5,017 crashes, 57 of which were fatal
• Tailgating was a contributing factor in 7,107 crashes, 7 of which were fatal

Road Rage vs. Aggressive Driving

We may say someone has a case of road rage, but the reality is that they likely do not. Under Pennsylvania state law, “road rage” is considered a criminal charge and is often the result of aggressive driving behavior that escalates into an assault with a vehicle or another weapon. Aggressive driving, on the other hand, is a traffic offense.

According to AAA, the most common aggressive driving actions include:

• Speeding in heavy traffic
• Tailgating
• Cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down
• Running red lights
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Changing lanes without signaling
• Blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes
• Using headlights or brakes to “punish” other drivers

Police will often categorize such behaviors that result in an accident as aggressive driving if they include two of the above actions. It is important that you know the signs of aggressive driving behaviors so you can protect yourself and your family while on the road.

Additionally, it’s critical to know when road rage is occurring. Road rage may be considered assault and battery.

Road rage can include actions like:

• Striking another vehicle on purpose
• Driving another vehicle off the road
• Threatening another driver

Depending on the severity of the crime, the penalties for aggressive driving and road rage vary. In any case, aside from any criminal proceedings that may occur as a result of aggressive driving or road rage, injured victims and/or the loved ones of those wrongfully killed by aggressive drivers or those exhibiting road rage can file a civil action to seek compensation for their damages.

What to Do If You Encounter an Aggressive Driver

If you come into contact with an aggressive driver while on the road, the most important thing is to remain calm.

PennDOT suggests taking the following measures:

• Get out of the aggressive driver’s way
• Do not challenge the driver
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures
• Don’t block the passing lane if you are driving slower

In addition, if the aggressive driver’s behavior is clearly unsafe, call the police and allow them to handle the situation. If you are involved in an accident with an aggressive driver, once it is safe and authorities arrive, be sure to document everything. Then, contact an experienced Pennsylvania aggressive driving accident attorney who can help you protect your legal rights and seek fair compensation for your losses.

We Fight for Victims of Aggressive Driving Accidents

At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, we are committed to fighting for innocent victims who have been injured in auto accidents due to the behavior of negligent, aggressive, and reckless motorists. When you or a loved one is seriously injured as a result of an aggressive driver, you may have many concerns about how to move forward. We know it can be challenging and overwhelming, but you do not have to handle this alone. Our car accident attorneys not only have the experience to help you file your claim, but we also have the track record you need to feel confident in choosing our legal team.

We have several office locations—in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre—and proudly serve clients throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and beyond. We answer our phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can assist you in setting up a completely free and confidential consultation with one of our attorneys. There are no fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Get in touch by filling out and submitting an online contact form or by calling our office at (877) 989-4878 today.