Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
What to Do if You are The Victim of a Road Rage Accident
Our roads are filled with traffic and will only get more crowded over time. With more vehicles on the road, it is inevitable that drivers become irritated and angry. Angry drivers can become so frustrated that they take action against other drivers on the road. These road rage incidents are becoming more common and more dangerous. Accidents due to road rage occur from time to time, and in some cases, the driver actually harms someone else. What is road rage and what can we do if we were hurt in a road rage incident?
What is Road Rage?
Road rage is technically defined as “a criminal assault with a vehicle or weapon” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Road rage differs from aggressive driving in that road rage requires intent and aggressive driving does not. A driver who is experiencing road rage may honk the horn, make hand gestures, yell out the window, or follow the other driver. The driver may use the vehicle to harm another by hitting another vehicle or person, or may use a weapon to hurt another person.
What Causes Road Rage?
There are many situations that can cause or contribute to road rage. Road congestion is one of the most common scenarios that leads to angry drivers. Drivers may become agitated when they believe that another driver did something wrong. For example, a driver who perceives he was cut off may become enraged. When a driver is in a hurry and they encounter traffic or construction, they may feel increased pressure and anger. Road rage may begin with aggressive behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, brake checking, and cutting people off.
Preventing Road Rage Incidents
If you are prone to anger or aggressive driving, you will want to take some precautions to prevent road rage. Leave home with extra time to arrive so you will not be under stress if you encounter traffic. Stay alert while behind the wheel. Don’t allow unrelated issues to spill into your driving behaviors. Don’t get behind the wheel if you are already angry. Practice defensive driving and be prepared to share the road with others who may not always do what you expect.
What to Do if You are the Victim of Road Rage
Being on the receiving end of road rage can be terrifying. If you notice that another driver is acting with road rage, do not engage with them. This will only escalate the situation. Instead, try to avoid the driver by reducing your speed and changing lanes to allow the driver to pass. Keep your windows rolled up and lock your doors. Don’t stop or get out of your vehicle. If you are being threatened or followed or fear for your safety, call the police immediately. Drive to a public location and don’t go home if you’re being followed.
If an accident occurred as the result of road rage, you may be owed money for your injuries and damages. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a free initial consultation to review the details of the incident.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury and boating accidents. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.progressive.com/answers/what-is-defensive-driving/
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