For most motorists who travel Maryland’s roadways in and around Baltimore, Annapolis, Gaithersburg and even in the District, it frequently becomes evident that despite the potential for property damage and physical harm, there are still a fair number of aggressive drivers on the beltway, interstate and city streets. Whatever the reason for the bad acts caused by these often single-minded drivers, the chances for injury in a car, truck or motorcycle accident is greater when an aggressive, impatient or inconsiderate motorist is in the vicinity.
Whether the root cause of an accident is careless vehicle operation, impatience with another driver, or downright aggressive driving leading to so-called road rage, the aftermath of a severe roadway collision can often lead to a trip to the emergency room, or worse. Frankly speaking, there is never a good excuse for bad driving that leads to an injury or death. While it can be said that many more traffic accidents are caused by passenger car drivers, commercial truckers themselves are not immune to the stresses and personal problems that can trigger an aggressive incident on the road.
As professional trial attorneys experienced in personal injury claims, the legal staff at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, is well aware of the downside to a bad traffic wreck, especially when it involves a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). While it may not be surprising that a handful of passenger car drivers make for very dangerous traffic situations from time to time due to aggressive actions behind the wheel, it is often surprising to observe a commercial motor vehicle operator driving in a hostile or aggressive fashion. Frankly, as motorists we all expect more professional behavior from truckers and other professional drivers.
Throughout the U.S., many states have defined aggressive driving in terms of actions that involve a combination of two or more moving violations within a short period of time. Some traffic safety advocates believe that laws targeting a driver’s actions, specific intent or disregard for others on the roadway may be less exact than legal statutes that focus on driving behavior or specific traffic offenses. Some experts even suggest that law enforcement personnel would have a more difficult time charging a motorist with aggressive driving (such as road rage) because many of those observable actions are hard to distinguish from that of “basic” reckless driving.
Experts in the area of traffic safety hold that aggressive driving may be defined as multiple moving violations committed by a driver in rapid succession. Still other safety advocates suggest that aggressive driving be defined as a wanton disregard for the safety or well-being of the driving public. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has stated that dangerous conduct on the part of a motorist or professional truck driver could be defined as “unsafe driving behavior that is performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety.”
As Baltimore personal injury lawyers, the skilled legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen understands the often extreme physical discomfort, emotional distress and financial problems that can follow in the wake of a serious trucking-related beltway crash. When aggressive driving is found to be the primary cause of a serious truck accident, the emotional pain felt by victims and their families can be multiplied many times over, especially since such accidents should never have occurred in the first place.
As professional traffic accident injury lawyers, we know that many apparently unintentional collisions turn out not to be “accidents” resulting from bad luck or poor timing, but that some wrecks are the direct result of one thoughtless individual who has little or no concern for those with who he shares the roadway. Honest mistakes are one thing, but deliberate or premeditated acts are another thing altogether. When a person has been severely injured due to the aggressive actions of a commercial truck driver, the need for filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit is quite often evident.
Certainly, the responsible party should be held accountable for his or her actions. Even after an instance where no malice could be determined, local or state police may slap the responsible driver with vehicular assault or homicide charges. As motorists ourselves, we can all appreciate that staying calm and collected even in frustrating traffic situations is better than becoming angry or impatient. Courtesy and civility make for a much safer driving experience, not only for oneself and one’s passengers, but also for those other motorists with whom we all share the road.
As commercial trucking accident lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen’s legal staff is prepared to offer help to those victims who have been badly injured by an aggressive truck driver. We know that despite some victims’ concerns, filing a personal injury suit is sometimes the only way in which a person can recover the monetary costs of a serious traffic-related injury.
Whether a traffic accident arises due to simple carelessness or a deliberately aggressive action, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen are ready, willing and able to represent victims and their families. Those individuals who have been seriously hurt in a beltway or interstate crash can often benefit from the knowledge and experience of a skilled personal injury attorney. By fully understanding Maryland personal injury and auto insurance law, we know how to approach a commercial trucking injury case so that our clients’ medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and even long-term nursing fees can be recovered. Please contact us at (800) 654-1949 and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. You may also email either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen to set up a face-to-face meeting with one of our attorneys to review your commercial trucking injury case.