Have you been injured by an aggressive driver? If so, you should speak to our knowledgeable car accident lawyers in Canton at Jones & Swanson. Injuries from a car accident can leave you in financial, physical, and emotional distress. We’ll help you file an insurance claim to pursue money for your medical bills, lost work income, and other injury-related losses.
Our team has secured more than $50 million for injury victims and shares over 50 years of combined legal experience. Aggressive drivers put others unnecessarily at risk, and we will work to hold them accountable for the wrongdoing and harm they’ve caused.
Call us today to schedule a free case consultation with our aggressive driving accident lawyers in Canton.
What Counts as Aggressive Driving in Canton?
Aggressive driving is defined in Georgia law as driving with the intent to harass, intimidate, or obstruct another person. Aggressive driving is more than just negligent driving and implies a level of conscious awareness and intentionality in action. Below are behaviors that could count as aggressive driving:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Cutting off other drivers
- Playing “chicken”
- Brakechecking
- Rapidly accelerating towards another driver or person
- Racing
- Using a vehicle in a threatening manner
Aggressive driving is typically treated as a high-level misdemeanor that can be punished by up to a year in prison and fines up to a maximum of $5,000. Aggressive driving can also add up to six points to your driving record, which could result in license suspensions.
Injuries from Aggressive Drivers
Aggressive driving can lead to severe injuries. Aggressive driving is an exceptionally dangerous driving behavior, and crashes can lead to:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Bruising
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Joint sprains and muscle strains
- Scrapes, cuts, and lacerations
- Mouth, eye, and face injuries
- Hand, wrist, and arm injuries
- Fractures
- Chest injuries and broken ribs
- Leg, foot, and torso injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Hearing and vision damage
- Internal bleeding
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
Damages You Can Secure for Injuries Due to Aggressive Driving
Our personal injury lawyers in Canton will pursue damages for the following losses:
- Medical expenses. A personal injury lawsuit can include money to pay for your emergency medical expenses and any future necessary medical treatment, such as rehab, prescriptions, and surgeries.
- Lost work income. You may be able to claim the value of any employment income you missed out on due to work absences. If you must change jobs or stop working because of your injuries, you can claim the differences in your expected lifetime earnings.
- Replacement services. The cost of replacement services, such as housekeeping, alternative transportation, and childcare, can be included in a lawsuit.
- Pain and suffering. Georgia also recognizes victims’ right to pursue damages for psychological losses, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by injuries.
In some aggressive driving cases, you may also be able to receive punitive damages. These are additional damages that the court awards to punish the offender. Georgia law allows punitive damages when the perpetrator engaged in willful misconduct, malice, or fraud. Aggressive driving can count as willful misconduct and may justify punitive damages.
How Shared Fault Can Impact Your Claim
Georgia has comparative negligence laws that can reduce the money you can receive in a personal injury claim. If you are partially negligent and responsible for your injuries, any damages you receive will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
For instance, if you were 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $80,000. As long as you are less than 50% responsible, you can still receive partial damages. Our aggressive driving accident attorneys in Canton will argue against claims of shared fault and attempts to shift blame.
Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit After an Aggressive Driving Accident
Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury typically gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Once two years pass, your legal right to pursue financial damages will expire.
Even though you have two years, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to file. Delays in medical treatment and evidence collection can harm your case. Taking early action by talking to our lawyers can start your claim off on the right foot and give you the best chance of a successful resolution.
Contact Our Canton Aggressive Driving Accident Lawyers at Jones & Swanson
You may find it difficult to make ends meet after a serious accident, between medical bills and being unable to work. Jones & Swanson is proud to stand up for injury victims and will work to secure the money you need for healing and recovery. We take a holistic approach to legal issues and can be counted on to give our full resources to your case.
Contact our offices today to speak to our Canton aggressive driving lawyers. We offer free consultations.
