Aggressive Driving Accident Injures Seven on Lake Shore Drive

 Posted on August 14,2018 in Aggressive Driving

A recent high-speed crash on Chicago’s North Lake Shore Drive is just the latest example of car accidents caused by aggressive driving in the state of Illinois. The accident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, August 13, ultimately injured seven people. The driver, a 28-year-old man driving a Honda Accord, was traveling at speeds well above the speed limit when he lost control of his vehicle and ran into an embankment. While no one was killed in the collision, the accident serves as a reminder of the tangible dangers of aggressive driving.   

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” Studies conducted by the NHTSA found that aggressive driving played a significant role in over half of all highway fatalities from 2003 to 2007. 

Identifying Aggressive Driving 

Aggressive driving can come in a number of different forms. Knowing how to identify aggressive driving can help you maintain a safe distance from aggressive drivers and keep you and your family safe. Some common types of aggressive driving include:

• Driving at Excessive Speeds: In the event of the recent North Lake Shore Drive accident, the aggressive driver was driving well above the speed limit. When driving at high speeds, drivers risk losing control of their vehicle, minimize their reaction time, and endanger other drivers. If you see a driver traveling at excessive speeds, it is best to stay as far away as possible and consider reporting them to a highway patrolman or local law enforcement official.  
• Tailgating and Reckless Passing: Another dangerous form of aggressive driving comes when drivers follow other cars too closely and pass vehicles recklessly. By shortening the distance between themselves and other vehicles, an aggressive driver decreases their chances of reacting in time to sudden stops or changes of speed while increasing the likelihood of a vehicular collision. If you see a car recklessly passing or overtly tailgating vehicles, it may be best to slow your vehicle down or even pull over to maintain a safe distance from them. 
• Disregarding Traffic Guidelines: Aggressive drivers routinely put other travelers in danger through their complete disregard of traffic laws. Aggressive drivers may pass in no-pass zones, disregard safety warnings from other (primarily commercial) vehicles, and fail to use proper signals when turning. If you see a driver violating any of these basic traffic guidelines, it is likely that they are a reckless and aggressive driver. 

Contact Our Lake County Car Accident Lawyers

Every year, thousands of Americans are impacted by the reckless driving of aggressive drivers. In 2016 alone, over 50,000 drivers were reported as driving with aggressive tendencies throughout the United States. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys know just how difficult it can be to recover from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle collision, and we are dedicated to helping victims obtain the financial compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one have been injured in an automobile collision, schedule a free consultation by calling us at 847-662-3303. 

Sources: 

https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-aggressive-driving

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7-injured-in-lake-shore-drive-crash-on-north-side/