How Can a Car Accident Attorney Assist You After a Road Rage Accident?
Driver aggression is a serious yet common problem leading to catastrophic accidents and life-threatening injuries. Most of us have seen another driver lose their temper or overreact to a seemingly minor inconvenience on the road. Expressions of anger or frustration can include tailgating, swerving, aggressively, honking, or yelling insults out the window. Road rage incidents can cause serious accidents to happen, which is why understanding how to identify signs of road rage can help you avoid an aggressive or erratic driver. If you or a loved one suffered injuries or sustained property damage because of the actions of a reckless or enraged driver, consider how a car accident attorney can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.
What Does Road Rage Look Like?
Road rage puts other drivers in harm’s way. It is a dangerous expression of compromised judgment that can result in devastating consequences. Road rage does not require physical contact between drivers. Road rage is an act or expression of aggression toward another motorist or pedestrian, which may look like rude gestures, obscene verbal insults, threatening actions, and aggressive driving that often leads to deadly accidents. A driver’s behavior qualifies as road rage if they display “a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others.” In some cases, road rage can cause an aggressive Driver to face charges of a criminal offense or have a license suspension. For example, when a driver is experiencing anger and causes a collision or runs another motorist off the road, they may be liable for the cost of the victim’s injuries and damages.
What Are Some Common Causes of Road Rage?
When a driver acts irrationally because they are upset at someone who commits a seemingly minor mistake, it often results in road rage. To avoid becoming a victim of road rage, you should pay attention to the road your surroundings, including other drivers. Some of the most common factors in incidents of road rage include:
- Texting or distracted driving: Distracted drivers might inadvertently swerve or cut someone off, which can cause another driver to become angry and exhibit road rage against the irresponsible motorist. When you encounter a distracted driver, the best thing to do is to avoid them or call the authorities as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Traffic congestion: An already impatient driver can become even more frustrated by heavy traffic. This seemingly minor inconvenience can set a person off, causing them to act out recklessly toward other drivers.
- Limited time: Impatient drivers who believe that getting to their appointment is more important than the safety of everyone around them are more likely to drive erratically and potentially cause an accident.
- A sense of anonymity: Much like the internet, you can interact with someone on the road and probably won’t see them again. This sense of anonymity can make drivers feel more confident in repeatedly honking, displaying rude hand gestures, or cutting other drivers off.
Getting to work on time or attempting to avoid traffic by driving aggressively isn’t worth putting yourself, other motorists, or pedestrians at risk. If you’ve experienced road rage and were a victim of a reckless driver’s behavior, get in touch with a lawyer to learn some of your options.
What Are Some Forms of Road Rage That Exist?
Aggressive driving behaviors can manifest in several ways. These behaviors are hazardous because they often lead to an accident that results in property damage or bodily injury to other motorists and pedestrians. Here are some recognizable driving behaviors that are often called road rage:
- Yelling or cursing, saying rude or obscene things to others
- Driving recklessly
- Flashing headlights or high beams
- Reviving the engine
- Honking erratically
- Slamming on the steering wheel
- Making angry or obscene gestures
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Failing to obey safety zones
A motorist can purposefully commit unsafe driving maneuvers that may constitute road rage. Some examples of dangerous driving actions an enraged or aggressive driver may display include:
- Blocking the passing lane
- Merging aggressively or incorrectly
- Speeding
- Side-swiping
- Tailgating
- Weaving through traffic erratically
- Illegal passing
- Brake checking
- Cutting another driver off
- Driving on the shoulder, sidewalk, or median of the road
The DMV takes steps to deter drivers from road rage because this behavior frequently leads to other driving crimes. Roadway aggression is a serious problem, and understanding aggressive driving behavior can help you avoid it.
Road Rage Warning Signs You Should Look Out For
When you share the road with an enraged or aggressive driver, watch for warning signs. Whether you’re cruising down city streets or making your way slowly through traffic on the highway, keep an eye out for:
- A sudden or dramatic acceleration
- Cutting other drivers off repeatedly
- Aggressively tailgating other drivers
- Proving little or no warning of lane changes
- Preventing other drivers from merging
- Blocking lanes
- Using their horn aggressively
- Flashing their lights repeatedly
- Shouting or making rude hand gestures toward other drivers
- Displaying a weapon to intimidate other drivers
- Purposely crashing into other vehicles and forcing them off the road
Becoming frustrated when another driver is inconsiderate or commits a potentially dangerous action is normal but maintaining control is essential when you get behind the wheel to avoid causing an accident. If you or a loved one was the victim of road rage, your case deserves representation. Consider how lawyers can help you retrieve compensation for injuries or damages if you were involved in an accident with another driver.
What You Should Do When Faced With Road Rage
You should do your best to avoid getting involved in a tense situation with another driver whenever possible. If you become the target of road rage, lock your door as soon as possible. Make sure you have enough space to move out of the way and go to the nearest police station whenever you can. A passenger in your vehicle can also dial 911 if you believe you are in immediate danger. Keep your distance if you witness someone driving aggressively and allow them to pull ahead, ignore any rude gestures they make toward you, and avoid making eye contact with them. If a driver continues to drive recklessly, it may be best to pull off the road as soon as it is safe to do so and take an alternate path. Note the driver’s license plate and the type of vehicle they’re driving by taking a picture or writing the information down once you’ve come to a stop. In situations where another driver purposely tries to collide with your vehicle, you can work with an attorney to cover the costs of damages to your vehicle. A car accident lawyer can bring justice to victims of road rage driving.
Avoid Road Rage
The stress of commuting on a busy highway can make anyone feel angry, even over the slightest annoyance. It may be human nature to respond with anger when someone drives while on their cell phone or swerves in and out of lanes. Despite this, you mustn’t give in to these feelings. When you let your emotions control your driving, it can cause things to escalate quickly and potentially lead to an accident. Road rage is not only illegal but, in some cases, it leads to serious accidents and even death. Here are some rules to follow to avoid road rage:
- Don’t tailgate
- Only use your horn when you need to
- Never let your emotions get in the way of your driving
- Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver
- Refrain from making rude gestures
- Don’t block the passing lane
- Don’t block the right turning lane when you can avoid it
Road Rage License Suspension
If the DMV determines that a driver lacks the necessary mentality to drive because of road rage, it can suspend that motorist’s license. The DMV may suspend a motorist license for road rage for up to six months for the first offense. The DMV can suspend a driver’s license for one year for any subsequent road rage offenses. When a driver accumulates too many points on their driving record due to moving violations or other criminal driving offenses, the DMV may declare this person to be a “negligent operator.” Completing court-approved anger management or a road rage education course may allow the driver to forgo facing a license suspension. A driver who has their license suspended because of a road rage incident can challenge the suspension by requesting a formal hearing with the DMV or filing an appeal.
Road Rage FAQs
Who is liable for an accident caused by road rage?
An angry driver can cause an accident to happen in many ways. Typically, in motor vehicle accidents involving road rage, the driver who acted recklessly will be responsible for the crash.
What are some criminal offenses related to road rage incidents?
By definition, road rage is not considered a crime. However, reckless behavior that often accompanies road rage is a crime. Common criminal charges that stem from incidents of road rage include:
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Assault and battery
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Murder
What are some common injuries from road rage accidents?
Along with damaging your vehicle, road rage accidents cause injuries. An enraged driver may rear-end your vehicle, causing whiplash, or an aggressive driver may force you off the road, causing a more serious injury like spinal cord trauma. Injuries commonly associated with accidents involving road rage include:
- Sprains
- Fractured or broken bones
- Muscle strain
- Back injuries
- Spine Injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Gashes
- Organ damage
- Facial injury
- Superficial abrasions
How can I preserve my claim for compensation after being involved in a road rage crash?
The best way to preserve your claim for compensation after a road rage incident is by contacting an experienced car accident lawyer who can describe your options and give you advice on the next steps to take in your claim. Writing everything down that you remember as soon as possible is an excellent way to preserve your compensation claim. Including important details from the crash, such as how you were injured or how the collision happened, can help your lawyer build a solid defense for your case.
Should I seek medical care even if my injuries are minor?
Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible after a motor vehicle crash. Not only can this benefit your health, but it can also serve as a critical piece of evidence in your car claim. Additionally, even if you’re experiencing seemingly minor injuries, you may not detect a more serious problem that a medical professional can diagnose.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney About a Road Rage Accident Today
Being in an accident with an enraged or aggressive driver can be scary, which is why you shouldn’t try and handle your case on your own. If you or a loved one were the unfortunate victims of an act of road rage, don’t hesitate to reach out to a car accident lawyer.