While muscle cars may be emblematic of the American automobile industry, a new study found they also happen to be some of the deadliest vehicles on U.S. roads for their drivers and others. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), muscle cars are among the top-ranked vehicles with the highest driver death rates. And when it came to causing the deaths of other drivers and passengers on the road, several muscle cars also placed high on the list. Notably, the Dodge Challenger and two versions of the Dodge Charger ranked highly on both lists. The IIHS suggested that the history and marketing of these muscle cars encourage their drivers to behave aggressively.
The dangers of aggressive driving
Aggressive driving is defined as deliberate unsafe driving behavior, sometimes performed with ill intent. Examples of aggressive driving behavior include:
- Blocking cars from passing
- Changing lanes without using signal lights
- Cutting in front of another vehicle
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Racing
- Running a red light
- Speeding
- Tailgating
Of course, not all muscle car drivers are guilty of committing these dangerous behaviors, but those who do can be more dangerous than the average sedan or SUV driver, especially if the muscle car driver was speeding. Speed is a significant factor in many auto collisions, and drivers of powerful muscle cars who speed may cause catastrophic or fatal injuries to others on the road.
Pursuing compensation after a collision
If you suffer injuries from an auto accident caused by another motorist’s aggressive driving, you could hold that driver accountable through a lawsuit. Keep in mind that California operates with a pure comparative negligence system. If your lawsuit goes to trial, the court will calculate both your and the other driver’s fault levels in the accident to determine how much you can recover. For instance, if your lawsuit claims $20,000 in damages but the court finds that you’re 10% at fault for the accident, you can only recover 90% of the amount, which is $18,000.
Regardless of the type of vehicle the other driver has, there’s no guarantee they’ll be fully at fault for the accident. Consider consulting with a legal professional to learn more about your case and how to maximize your damage claim.
