Road rage can lead to serious car crashes, including single-vehicle crashes where the victim is run off the road, and pedestrians being runover. Road rage can have consequences beyond motor vehicle crashes, and in many cases ends in other types of violence such as shootings, stabbings, and beatings. Victims of road rage can recover compensation for their injuries and in many cases punitive damages are available in addition to compensatory damages. Innocent passengers of the at-fault driver are often eligible for compensation for their injuries as well. To learn more about compensation for your road rage injuries, talk to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney right away.
Avoiding Road Rage Accidents
Road rage accidents can happen at any time, anywhere, but right now, you need to be even more aware of the possibility that you could encounter a road rage situation. The world is on edge, and temperatures are rising, which historically leads to an increase in violence and aggressive behavior. If you are injured in a road rage accident, or in an attack prompted by road rage, the perpetrator will most likely be held liable, but if someone is seriously injured or killed, liability is small consolation. And, if the perpetrators attorney can convince the jury that you egged it on, you could even be found partly to blame.
Here are some tips for avoiding road rage accidents and incidents:
- Be a courteous driver
- Being courteous includes keeping all of your attention on driving, that means no texting while you’re sitting at the red light.
- Cut other drivers some slack. Stressed drivers make mistakes. Let it roll off your back.
- Don’t try to compete with aggressive drivers.
- Don’t forget to use your turn signals, give others plenty of room when passing and avoid violating other drivers’ right-of-way.
- Avoid tailgating.
- If you are driving slower than the flow of traffic, stay out of the fast lane, even if you are going the speed limit or above.
- If another driver extends a courtesy to you, such as letting you merge into traffic, show signs of appreciation.
- Conversely, if you make a mistake such as cutting someone off, show signs of apology.
- Just don’t start it, even if you are in the right. Refrain from yelling or gesturing at rude and incompetent drivers.
- If another driver starts it, whether you were right or wrong, don’t rise to the bait.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a road rage
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