These are fearful and difficult times, unfortunately. Road rage occurs when a motorist commits a driving infraction or an attack with their vehicle that endangers the public or jeopardizes private property; or when a driver or passenger of one motor vehicle conducts an assault with some other dangerous weapon (a firearm, for example) against the driver or passenger of another motor vehicle, as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What These Numbers Tell Us
The perpetrator in a road rage incident exposes you to an unprecedented level of danger on purpose. Aggressive driving accounts for two-thirds of all traffic fatalities involving cars and trucks, while alcohol consumption contributes to only 40% of such crashes. Numbers like these are deeply unsettling:
As expected, teenage guys are more likely to display aggressive driving behavior. That implies inexperienced motorists will likely be the most hostile group on the road.
At least the majority of drivers who are the target of aggressive driving behavior, especially men, exhibit aggressive driving behavior themselves.
Remarkably, firearms are involved in 37% of all road rage incidents.
Cities have a much higher rate of road rage than rural areas.
Aggression on the Road: What Sets it Off
Even if you’re well-versed in traffic law, you should exercise caution when engaging in the following behaviors, as they have been linked to road rage events with consequences that much outweigh the initial infraction:
• Constantly beeping your horn
• Tailgating (following too closely)
• Use of profanity or shouting
• Show another driver the “finger.”
• injuring another driver on purpose by colliding with their car
• Revving your engine to challenge another motorist.
• Changing lanes frequently,
• Lane splitting is still dangerous even if you are a biker, and it is permissible in your state.
• Excessive speeding
• Keeping another car from leaving a garage or parking lot
When to Use Defensive Driving to Calm Down an Aggravated Driver
Depending on the other driver, preventing a road rage incident from escalating once it has begun may be impossible. However, keep these guidelines in mind to keep the conflict from getting out of hand:
• You need to maintain your composure and be aware of your surroundings no matter what occurs. You must adhere to this rule.
• Stay calm and avoid taking revenge.
• To avoid awkwardness, look away.
• Close the blinds and secure the doors.
If you are in danger, you should immediately visit the local police station or dial 911. If you were in imminent danger, leaving the site of the accident is acceptable.
Try to give yourself enough space to pull out from behind the vehicles in front of you.
Resolving a Claim for Road Rage
Claim issues may arise from collisions caused by road rage. A personal injury attorney representing the injured party in a vehicle accident lawsuit would typically attempt to settle the matter out of court with the defendant’s auto liability insurer before taking the case to trial.
To make matters worse, several forms of motor liability insurance do not cover “accidents” caused by road rage. Of course, if the driver is well-off enough to cover the damages out of pocket, or if they were working at the time of the accident, this might not be an issue. Finding a financially stable defendant after a car accident is easier with the help of an experienced attorney.
Whatever the case may be, the following types of reimbursement for your injuries may be available to you:
• The cost of healthcare if you were injured in a road rage car accident
• Profits lost in the past, in the present, and in the future
• Costs incurred independently as a result of the mishap
• Pain and suffering are examples of intangible losses.
• Damages awarded as punishment (if applicable)
• Your vehicle’s property damage may potentially be covered by insurance.
