Understanding Reckless Driving vs. Aggressive Driving

It’s easy to conflate reckless driving with aggressive driving, but the two are not the same. Aggressive driving carries intent, meaning that aggressive drivers often purposefully try to harass the people around them. Reckless driving involves a similar degree of negligence but less malicious intent.

Unfortunately, accidents involving both aggressive and reckless drivers can leave you in a bind. You can work with the Baker Legal Team to understand what term encapsulates your accident. Our support can help you demand financial support from the party responsible for your losses.

What Is Aggressive Driving?

Aggressive driving is when individuals drive with the intent to harass or injure the people around them. The term can further encompass intimidation attempts and generalized harassment. Some of the most common forms of aggressive driving may include the following:

Purposefully speeding around other vehicles
Refusal to engage with traffic signs or signals
Willfully driving on the wrong side of the road outside of designated areas
Failure to yield or otherwise properly pass
Purposefully tailgating another driver

The specific consequences that a person faces for driving aggressively will vary depending on the type of aggressive driving they engage in. For example, tailgating can result in fines of up to $120. The same behavior may see the offending driver receive points on their license.

The consequences a person faces for aggressive driving tend to compound on one another if the offending driver has a criminal record or causes a dangerous accident.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving simply describes a driver’s negligent behavior on the road. This behavior can be accidental or purposeful, but it doesn’t contain the same intention of intimidation as aggressive driving. Some of the most common forms of reckless driving include the following:

Speeding
Driving too quickly in rain, snow, or construction zones
Passing inappropriately
Driving with an obstructed view
Failing to yield or use proper roadway signals

The consequences of reckless driving can see a person face up to 90 days in jail. These consequences also grow more severe if a person’s reckless driving results in a serious accident, at which point fines jump to nearly $5,000.

Understanding the Difference Between Reckless and Aggressive Driving

In the eyes of the law, aggressive drivers intend to do harm to the people around them. In this way, aggressive driving is similar to road rage, as both require an offender to purposefully put other people in harm’s way.

On the other hand, reckless drivers may instead be in a rush to get from Point A to Point B. Reckless drivers behave negligently but do not intentionally endanger the people on the road around them.

You Can Hold Someone Accountable for Accidents Caused by Reckless and Aggressive Drivers

Going to court allows you to demand loss-based compensation from the party responsible for your accident. A board-certified lawyer from the Baker Legal Team can protect your rights and give your case the care it needs. The damages you demand in your claim may include the following:

Pain and suffering
Reduced quality of life
Emergency medical fees
Temporary or permanent disability
Lost wages
Property damage
Emotional distress

You can work with an accident attorney to determine what evidence you need to include losses like these in your final claim.

Get the Settlement You Deserve With Baker Legal Team

There’s a lot of overlap between reckless driving and aggressive driving, but they’re not the same thing. Unfortunately, both reckless and aggressive driving actively endanger other motorists on the road, including you.

If you find yourself involved in an accident where aggressive or reckless driving may be to blame, don’t hesitate to take action. You can work with our car accident lawyers to hold a negligent driver responsible for your losses. Our efforts can help you secure the financial support you need to pay your bills and get the justice you deserve. You can schedule a free case accident case consultation by calling (561) 320-0000 or contacting us online.