Because of the fast pace of most people’s lives, they can engage in unsafe driving practices due to stress and the rush to get to their destination. One very dangerous practice some drivers engage in is aggressive driving. The risks of a catastrophic crash are even greater if the victim is a motorcyclist who is less visible and who only has his helmet and clothes to protect him.
Five Leading Ways That Aggressive Motorists Endanger Motorcycle Riders
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving occurs when an individual engages in a number of moving traffic violations that endanger other people and property. Driving practices that constitute aggressive driving include:
- Speeding. Speeding can make it impossible for a driver to stop or slow down quickly to avoid a motorcycle accident. In addition, the rider’s injuries can be more severe or fatal due to the greater force of impact in the collision.
- Tailgating. Tailgating is another dangerous aggressive driving practice that can lead to a deadly rear-end collision where the rider may be thrown off his bike into oncoming traffic. In most cases, the motorist in the rear who was following too closely would be presumed to be at fault in causing the crash.
- Making unsafe lane changes. Making a lane change without signaling or cutting in front of a motorcycle driver can make it impossible for a motorcyclist to swerve out of the way to avoid a wreck.
- Driving too slowly. Another form of passive-aggressive driving is driving too slowly, especially in the fast lane. This can lead to other drivers engaging in aggressive driving, such as tailgating, in an effort to get the slow driver to drive faster.
- Failing to yield. Aggressive drivers often fail to yield the right of way at intersections and stop signs, increasing the likelihood that they will crash into a motorcyclist who is legally in the intersection.
Another danger of aggressive driving is that it will escalate into road rage where a motorist engages in criminal behaviors, such as purposely causing a motorcycle accident or threatening a motorcycle rider with a weapon.
Did an aggressive driver cause your motorcycle accident? Call our Norfolk office to schedule a free consultation with our skilled and dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers to learn about your right to compensation for your injuries.
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