Aggressive or Unsafe Lane Changing

Aggressive driving is a common problem on the roads of America these days and commercial trucks are some of the most common perpetrators of this offense. Many truck drivers feel that they rule or own the road because their vehicles are so large. They also feel that they do not have to follow the rules of the road, such as not tailgating another vehicle, not speeding, and not signaling before changing lanes. All of these problems can cause accidents resulting from aggressive driving, unsafe lane changing, not yielding to the right of way, or making a wide right turn. Only 14 states in the country have created legislation addressing aggressive driving. Of those 14 states, only 11 have passed aggressive truck driving laws. Florida is not allowed to enforce their aggressive driving law by state statute while California and Utah have edited existing reckless driving laws to include aggressive driving. Pennsylvania passed a resolution against aggressive driving.

Causes of these Accidents

These types of accidents are caused by a variety of different factors:

• Truck Driver fatigue
• Driver inattentiveness
• Not signaling before changing lanes
• Not yielding the right of way to other vehicles when required
• Not coming to a full and complete stop at a stop sign
• Making a wide right turn
• The need to meet time limits on deliveries

Know the Law

The laws of the 14 states mentioned above include the following:

• Arizona: “Speeding and least two of the following: failure to obey traffic control device, passing on the right out of regular lanes of traffic, unsafe lane change, following too closely, failure to yield right of way; and is an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle.”
• California: “Causing certain bodily injuries to people other than driver. Specifically cites drivers engaged in speed contests.”
• Delaware: “At least three of the following: failure to obey traffic control device, passing on the right, driving outside the lanes of traffic, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, failure to signal, failure to stop or yield at signs, passing a stopped school bus, speeding.”
• Florida: “At least two of the following: speeding, unsafe or improper lane change, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, improper passing, failure to obey traffic control devices.”
• Georgia: “Intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person, while doing one or more of the following: overtaking and passing another vehicle; violating traffic lane markings; following too closely; violating signal, lane change, slowing or stopping laws; impeding traffic flows; reckless driving.”
• Indiana: “At least three of the following: following too closely, unsafe operation, passing on the right off of roadway, unsafe stopping or slowing, unnecessary sounding of the horn, failure to yield, failure to obey traffic control device, speeding, repeatedly flashing headlights.”
• Maryland: “At least three of the following: failure to obey traffic control device, overtaking and passing, passing on right, driving on laned roadways, following too closely, failure to yield right of way or speeding.”
• Nevada: “Within one mile, commits all of the following: 1) speeding; 2) at least two of the following: failure to obey traffic control device, passing on the right off of paved roadway, following too closely, lane violation, failure to yield right of way; and 3) creating an immediate hazard for another vehicle or person.”
• New Jersey: “Operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner at the discretion of the officer on patrol.
• North Carolina: Speeding and driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others while committing at least two of the following violations: running a red light or stop sign, illegal passing, failing to yield right of way, following too closely.”
• Pennsylvania: “Drivers must drive courteously and defensively, not aggressively.”
• Rhode Island: “Speeding and at least two of the following: failure to obey traffic control device, overtaking on the right, driving outside the lanes of traffic, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, entering roadway unsafely, failure to use turn signals, failure to stop or yield at signs, use of emergency lane for travel.”
• Utah: “Reckless driving defined as willful and wanton disregard for safety of persons or property or three or more moving violations in a single continuous period of driving.”
• Virginia: “Is a hazard to others with the intent to harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person while committing at least one of the following: failure to drive on the right side of highway, driving outside of marked lanes, following too closely, failure to yield or stop before entering roadway, failure to obey traffic control device, passing when overtaking a vehicle, passing on right, failure to yield right of way, speeding, stopping on a highway.”

Injuries and Compensation

Injuries suffered from these types of accidents include broken bones, fractures, comas, concussions, severed limbs, burns, lacerations and other injuries. Victims of these accidents can sue the defendant for pain and suffering, loss of wages, medical bills, hospital bills, court fees, legal fees, and funeral costs.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an aggressive or unsafe lane change commercial truck accident, contact a truck accident attorney immediately for expert legal advice regarding your case.