On this page
- What Can Aggressive Truck Driving Look Like?
- How Can Aggressive Driving Be Proven?
- Could GPS or Telematics Show Speed?
- What If the Driver Was Tailgating Me?
- What If the Driver Was Angry Because I Merged?
- Could the Trucking Company Have Known the Driver Was Unsafe?
- Could Dispatch Pressure Contribute?
- What If the Driver Was Also Distracted?
- What Injuries Can Result?
- What Insurance Could Apply?
- What Should I Do?
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Can Investigate
If a truck driver was tailgating, speeding, making abrupt lane changes, cutting off motorists, or otherwise driving aggressively before hitting you, those actions should be investigated.
The collision may also raise questions about the trucking company’s supervision and whether the driver had a previous history of unsafe driving.
What Can Aggressive Truck Driving Look Like?
Examples may include:
- tailgating;
- speeding;
- unsafe passing;
- abrupt lane changes;
- cutting off vehicles;
- refusing to allow vehicles to merge;
- repeatedly changing lanes;
- excessive horn use combined with unsafe maneuvers; or
- intentionally closing gaps.
How Can Aggressive Driving Be Proven?
Potential evidence includes:
- dashcam footage;
- witnesses;
- truck cameras;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- police reports; and
- prior observations.
Other motorists may have witnessed aggressive conduct before the collision.
Could GPS or Telematics Show Speed?
Potentially.
Fleet systems may record location and other vehicle information.
The exact data depends on the technology installed.
What If the Driver Was Tailgating Me?
Following distance may become a major issue.
Large trucks require substantial stopping distance, making close following particularly dangerous. FMCSA emphasizes that large trucks need significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles.
What If the Driver Was Angry Because I Merged?
A driver cannot safely use a commercial truck to retaliate against another motorist.
Video and witnesses may help establish a pattern of conduct before impact.
Could the Trucking Company Have Known the Driver Was Unsafe?
Possibly.
An investigation may examine the driver’s qualification file, safety history, prior incidents, complaints, and company disciplinary records where relevant and obtainable.
Could Dispatch Pressure Contribute?
Potentially.
A driver rushing to meet delivery deadlines may take unsafe risks.
Dispatch communications and scheduling records may be relevant.
What If the Driver Was Also Distracted?
Aggressive and distracted driving can occur together.
Cellphone and dispatch evidence may become relevant.
What Injuries Can Result?
Aggressive driving can produce high-speed crashes, rollovers, and multi-vehicle collisions.
Injuries can include brain injury, spinal damage, fractures, internal injuries, paralysis, and permanent disability.
What Insurance Could Apply?
Commercial liability coverage and potentially other coverage may be involved.
The actual insurance must be investigated.
What Should I Do?
Get medical treatment.
Save video.
Identify witnesses.
Document the truck.
Keep records of medical treatment and missed work.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Can Investigate
Aggressive driving by an 18-wheeler driver should be taken seriously.
If you were injured because a commercial driver was tailgating, speeding, cutting off vehicles, or making dangerous maneuvers, Jacqueline Scott & Associates can investigate the driver, trucking company, electronic evidence, and insurance.
Make ’Em Pay.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This information is general and is not legal advice.
This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.
