A car accident can happen at any time and can cause serious injury to you and/your loved one. The accident may be caused by human error, a defect in the vehicle, or negligence. Sometimes a driver causes an accident because of aggressive driving or road rage. Acts of road rage and/or aggressive driving are illegal in the state of Georgia. If you are hurt by a driver committing either one or both of these illegal acts, you have the right to sue for the injuries you sustained.
What is Aggressive Driving in Marietta, GA?
According to Georgia traffic laws, aggressive driving is described as operating a motor vehicle with the intent to do one or more of the following:
- Harass
- Annoy
- Injure
- Obstruct
- Intimidate
Aggressive drivers have a total disregard for human life and property. They tend to drive in a reckless manner and know they are at risk of harming you and/or damaging your property.
Road rage is different than aggressive driving. It entails trying to purposefully injure or harm another driver. A driver committing road rage may believe that you cut him or her off while driving or were too slow when operating your motor vehicle. He or she may follow you while driving with the intent to injure you.
Damages Awarded in a Road Rage Accident in Marietta, Georgia
Road rage or aggressive driving accidents may lead to criminal charges. This is when the driver who injures you faces jail or prison time because of the accident, in which case the state of Georgia handles the legal proceedings.
In a personal injury case, which is a civil case, you seek monetary damages for the injuries you sustained in the accident. These injuries may vary from broken bones to bruises or damage to your vehicle. The types of monetary damages you can obtain after a road rage or aggressive driving accident include, but are not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Prove Aggressive Driving Accident Negligence in Four Steps
In some cases, the other party will know that he or she is liable for the accident and will want to settle the case. This is called an out-of-court settlement. You and the driver negotiate an agreement by which he or she pays you damages. In return, you give up your legal rights to sue. The money could be paid as a lump sum or as a series of payments.
If you have to go to court, Georgia personal injury law requires you to prove that the injury occurred in four steps:
- Legal duty
- Breach of legal duty
- Causation
- Damages
Seek Legal Help From the Persons Firm
If you have been injured by an aggressive driver, then it is important to demand accountability. Contact the Persons Firm online or give us a call at (770) 424-5125 immediately for a free consultation. We will help you obtain the money you need to recover from your injuries.