Road Rage Accident Attorneys

Road Rage Accident Attorneys

Driving is a naturally dangerous activity. Accidents can be caused by anything from distracted driving and vehicle malfunctions to foul weather or a stray deer on the road. Another major cause of accidents is road rage crimes.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that almost 80% of drivers have personally participated in road rage. These admitted incidents of road rage include physical—and potentially dangerous—expressions such as tailgating, trying to block a driver from changing lanes, and cutting off another vehicle.

Road rage is often criminal, as it involves purposefully aggressive acts of violence. If you have been the victim of a road rage crime, you will want to find a specialty road rage lawyer to help you with your case. Keep reading to learn more about common road range crimes and discover what kind of road range attorney services you may need if you are the victim of this crime.

What is Road Rage?

Road rage is the aggressive physical or verbal expression of anger or frustration while driving. This encompasses many different actions that a driver might participate in on the road, including yelling, honking, making angry gestures, or driving aggressively.

In more extreme situations, people displaying road rage may physically hit or ram another vehicle, or get out of their car to confront another driver. According to the American Automobile Association, over 200 murders and 12,000 injuries have been attributed to road rage in the last seven years.

These figures do a good job of explaining why road rage is connected to so many criminal indictments and offense charges. Road rage itself is not a crime in many states, but the actions and behaviors associated with it can be charged as a traffic violation or a more serious criminal offense, especially when it causes harm to others.

Common Road Rage Crimes and Occurrences

As mentioned previously, there are many behaviors that one can associate with the broader category of “road rage.” Below are some of the most common road rage behaviors that can cause injury and distress to other drivers and lead to a criminal charge for the perpetrator.

• Cutting in front of another vehicle.
• Intentionally tailgating another vehicle.
• Bumping another vehicle.
• Sidesweeping or ramming another vehicle.
• Forcing another vehicle off the road.
• Preventing another vehicle from merging, which is especially dangerous at high speeds.
• Intentionally disregarding traffic laws, including driving through a stop sign or a red light.
• Extreme speeding, especially in traffic.
• Switching lanes quickly or “weaving” through traffic.
• Confronting the driver of another vehicle.

Obviously, this list does not include some of the most common road rage behaviors, such as yelling, honking, and making obscene gestures. Though these behaviors are often not considered criminal acts, they can still lead to accidents that cause physical harm to drivers.

When Can You Pursue in a Road Rage Case?

The first step you should take to determine if you can pursue your case is to talk to an attorney. Most often, a road rage case can be built if someone’s actions on the road led to an accident, injury, or fatality. Though, these are not the only instances in which you can prosecute someone for their actions on the road.

If you are uncertain whether a case can be made—for example, if someone verbally threatened to assault you or cause you bodily harm, but didn’t do so—contact a road rage attorney. A lawyer that specializes in criminal threats can help you determine if you can make a case.

Road Rage Attorney Services

If you or a loved one is the victim of a road rage crime, the help of an expert road rage attorney can help you figure out the complexities of your case. A road rage lawyer will also likely be a general car accident lawyer, but some attorneys specialize in road rage cases.

Connecting with such an attorney gives you a better chance of building and winning your road rage case. It can be difficult to know where to start, or if you even have a case, without seeking assistance from a lawyer with experience prosecuting road rage crimes.

An attorney can help you assess several different facets of the situation, including what damages you are owed. These might include economic damages, non-economic damages, (both of which are compensatory damages), and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages, also called special damages, include expenses that are easily calculable. This might include medical bills, vehicle replacement or repairs, replacement of other items, lost wages due to temporary disability, physical therapy, etc.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, or general damages, usually involve repayment for emotional distress or suffering. These damages are harder to calculate, and there is no set procedure for calculating what is owed for emotional or mental anguish. General damages are usually collected when there is a prolonged period of physical or emotional distress or hardship that profoundly negatively impacts a person’s life.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be awarded if a road rage incident is particularly malicious or aggressive. These damages are more about punishing the perpetrator for their extreme negligence or violence rather than paying back the victim of the crime. A lawyer can help you determine if punitive damages are owed.