They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate only to those conditions specifically discussed. In 2014alone,speeding wasa factorin 9,262 traffic deaths on U.S. roads, according to the NHTSA. If necessary, flash your lights and sound your horn to notify other road users of your situation. Can You Sue for Road Rage? Being in the car with an aggressive driver puts you in a very tough position. Click the card to flip Ignore the behavior and the driver; Be the Better Person Click the card to flip 1 / 31 Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by xNowi Teacher Answer This question, or a similar one, may show up on your driver's license written exam. It will also affect the way weight is distributed across your vehicles four tires. Her and her legal team were very diligent and hard working and were able to get me more than what I thought I was going to get. Report the aggressive driver: If you feel that the aggressive driver poses a threat to other road users, call the local authorities or highway patrol . What are the most popular used cars across the U.S.? Im sure even the best of us have found themselves getting mad over other drivers cutting around us. The foundation recommends the following behaviors if (when) you encounter an aggressive driver: You can protect yourself against aggressive drivers by refusing to become angry at them. But heres one way to get a measure of your RRQ (road rage quotient): a four-section, 40-question quiz from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that takes only a few minutes but is sure to make you think. Stay in the driver's lane. I would highly recommend the KBG Law Firm and Wesley to represent you. if you encounter an aggressive driver. In the case where you are a passenger traveling with an aggressive driver, you should do your best to calm things down. Evening rush hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. generated the most #roadrage posts, declining to a low around 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. before beginning to climb again throughout the day. After learning how dangerous aggressive driving can be, its crucial to know how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe should you encounter one. According to Houston car accident lawyer Anthony Milano, there are many signs that one can spot when a near-by driver begins to act offensively. Previous studies have found that over half of fatal collisions involve at least one driver who engaged in somepotentially aggressive action. But getting [], My word against your word scenarios happen all the time after auto accidents, especially when there are few other witnesses at the scene. Moderate or high anger? The auto finance calculators in the Learning Center at Santander Consumer USAs website can help you learn just how much car you can afford. Instead of being angry at another driver making the same mistakes, give them the benefit of the doubt. Get help by using your cell phone or driving to a public area such as a police station or shopping center. 3. Do your best to get out of the way safely. They may even lie about what happened and try to pass the blame, turning the case into a your word versus mine situation. Car Accidents, Catastrophic Personal Injury, Personal Injury, Vehicle Wrecks. For a motor vehicle accident or any other personal injury, contact KBG today for afree consultation. Unless you are a traffic safety officer, it is not your job to enforce the rules of the road or punish the bad behavior of others behind the wheel. Everything in the known universe is subject to natural forces like inertia, gravity, friction and energy. A sense of anonymity encourages some people to engage in rude, dangerous, and reckless behaviors. If they persist in following you, drive to the nearest police station or a safe place where there are plenty of other people around. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The best ways to protect yourself from an aggressive driver. Examples andEffects of Aggressive Driving. Victims are often [], A serious collision can cause more than just physical injuries. 2023 Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm - All Rights Reserved. Aggressive driving often results from overractions to poor maneuvers on the road. Dont allow negligent individuals to get away with their wrongdoingcontact us with your case right away. Use your horn rarely, if ever, said AAA Foundation. Dont force them to change directions or slam on their brakes in response to your actions. Everything seems normal when suddenly you hear loud horns from behind you. Youre going through your daily commute to work. Words and gestures can be upsetting, but not nearly as upsetting as property damage, injury or death, which are all possible outcomes if you do not defuse the situation. Fax:416-621-1558, 330 West Street, Unit 6 ), you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. As part of your drivers training, you must learn how different forces and natural laws affect your car, in order to maintain control and respond appropriately in emergency situations. Contact our attorneysat (601) 265-6869 or complete an online form to schedule a free, confidential consultation. The angrier they get, the higher the chances of them losing control over their car and causing serious harm to others. Make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible if you have any symptoms (however minor), and call a personal injury attorney. Suddenly, a truck rear-ends you, pushing your car into the middle of an intersection. Dont make it worse by driving aggressively. When angry, a person can do things they may later regret, says AAA. According to the Federal Highway Administration, roughly half of car accident injuries and one-quarter of car accident fatalities occur at intersections. Too much to do. Flash your vehicle's lights to let the aggressive driver know he is wrong. Using headlights or brakes to "punish" other drivers. What to Do If You've Been in a Car Crash Involving an Aggressive Driver, An Experienced Car Accident Attorney Can Help You Protect Your Legal Rights, Crosley Law: Holding Reckless Drivers Accountable and Getting You the Compensation You Deserve, Driving on theshoulder orside of the road. Got me the maximum allowed for my accident and made the process very easy. Far too many drivers are losing themselves in the heat of the moment and lashing out in ways that could turn deadly.. 3. If you feel threatened or if the other driver is endangering others,call the police and provide them with the driver's vehicle description, location, and license plate number. If you are unable to change lanes, reduce your speed to the point that the tailgater will be encouraged to go past you. In driving, as with baseball, themain goalis to get home safe. If you encounter an angry or aggressive driver on the road, don't engage them. They are very cordial and polite. The Auto Insurance Center recently analyzed more than 65,500 Instagram social media posts hashtagged #RoadRage and reported on where and when its most prevalent. If a driver starts following you, dont stop or leave your vehicle. After a car wreck, you may feel like your every move is being scrutinized. #knowthefeeling, Some guy behind me wanted to fight me (because) he tried cutting in front of me.. Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved. The fewest posts were published in May and April. If you are confronted, stay in your vehicle and lock your doors. While scanning the roadway for potential threats, you must watch out for any motorists displaying aggressive behavior. Cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down. Aggressive drivers are more likely to speed, make unsafe lane changes, ignore the right of way, and violate traffic signals. Drive to a police station instead. You may think that you can assist another road user by stepping in if they are the target of an aggressive driver, but it is likely you will only put yourself and the person you are trying to help in more danger. Your car is no exception, in fact, it relies on the laws of physics to operate. Tune in to some soothing music. If you commit to driving in a courteous and attentive manner every time you get behind the wheel, you should be able to avoid becoming the focus of another motorists road rage. Leave plenty of time for a trip so that if traffic or another delay occurs, you can keep your cool. Not only can aggressive driving cause accidents, but they also lead to another dangerous behavior: road rage. But if you suffered life-changing injuries, you deserve to know exactly what happened, which driver (or drivers) were responsible, and which liability insurance will pay for your medical bills and other damages. In fact, a study by AAA found that nearly 80 percent of drivers felt anger, aggression or road rage in the past year. They may be running late for work and run into heavy traffic congestion or drivers who travel at a lower speed. As the target of an aggressive driver, you might not even be aware of whatever perceived slight kicked off this behavior. If you were hurt in a crash, contact Smitiuch Injury Law and schedule your free legal consultation. Imagine, how easy it would be to live a successful, productive and efficient life without emotions getting in the way. Together, these are known as compensatory damages. The first thing you should do is stay away from the driver and do not challenge them. Hawaii is followed by California, New York, New Jersey and Nevada. If necessary, flash your lights and sound your horn to notify other road users of your situation. Speed-related accidents are some of the most common collisions associated with aggressive driving. Most aggressive driving is carried out by men aged 18 to 26. However, if you have suffered damages related to the car accident (medical costs, lost wages, etc. Tailgaters? It is never fun to be on the receiving end of an aggressive driver's rampage. Do not respond to aggression with aggression. If you encounter a driver experiencing road rage, it is likely that they are the most dangerous hazard in the roadway environment. Aggressive drivers often lose their patience easily on the road. It is very easy to misinterpret someones intentions when you are angry even a friendly smile or wave can be taken the wrong way. It isn't easy to share the road with an aggressive driver, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. If you get behind the wheel while already suffering with stress caused by other events or pressures, you may become too stressed to pay attention, properly assess the roadway and make sensible driving decisions. If the person following you is mentally unstable, you do not want them to know where to find you on another occasion. In the event that you do not have access to a cell phone, you can let others know that you are in need of assistance by yelling or sounding your horn. Your passengers? How to Deal With a Private Investigator After a Car Accident. Keep your cool on the road and live to work and play another day. You also wouldnt be the only driver to show signs of road rage, based on a study by AAA described in the section above. What Should You Do When Theres an Aggressive Driver on the Road? When you are around these drivers, you should take steps to keep yourself safe: If you are the victim of an accident due to aggressive driving or road rage, you need an experienced car accident attorney to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Since that time, it's been categorized as an official term by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defined as when a driver commits aggressive moving traffic violations with the intent of endangering another driver, or assaults another driver with a motor vehicle or dangerous weapon. I would recommend them any time and personally use them again if ever needed. Never reprimand them or draw their attention to their own behavior by tailgating. The difference between driving and sports, however, is thatdisplays of aggressionon the roadcan get youhurtor even killed. While the state of Mississippi doesnt have any explicit laws regarding aggressive driving, there are states that do. In the best-case scenario, an aggressive driver will pass you by unharmed, and you can go on about your day as normal. A surprising 522 people were injured or killed in road rage shootings across Be prepared to provide any identifying information, including a description of the offending vehicle, its license plate number, as well as your location and direction of travel. How Common Is Aggressive Driving? Stopping in the middle of the road, cutting me off The list goes on., Saw some road rage today These two were blocking each other and got into it., Has anyone else ever honked your horn so hard you feared your airbag was going to go off?, Ugggh. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane. The team at Crosley Law consistently uses aggressive tactics such as these to uncover the truth in accidents involving negligent, aggressive, and reckless drivers. Ignore the driver's gestures. This is why its important to try your best to avoid aggressive drivers when you see them on the road. Before you purchase your next vehicle. Dashboard, Everyone has a bad-traffic car story. You can only control how you react, and getting angry will not help the situation. Avoid eye contact and do not make (or return) rude gestures or comments. The information you will need to give the dispatcher is a description of the vehicle, license plate number, the location of the incident, what aggressive behavior is being exhibited and if possible, a description of the driver. For instance, Douglas County, Colorado has enacted an ordinance that permits officers to double the fine of a traffic violation if the offense is determined to be an aggressive driving infraction. The same study found that about 7.5 million drivers had gotten out of their vehicles to confront another driver and nearly six million had bumped or rammed another vehicle on purpose. Youve just witnessed road rage from an aggressive driver. Steer away from antagonizing the driver and make an effort to suggest pulling over and taking a moment to breath and calm down. Apparently, in the Aloha state, the locals arent enamored of out-of-state drivers trying to navigate unfamiliar roads. As long as it is safe and legal to do so, let them pass you. The first step is to contact 911. How Much Is My Traumatic Brain Injury Case Worth? Punitive damages are different. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual Avoid eye contact with drivers who seem dangerous. Posts with #roadrage climb during the week to a peak on Friday, then ease on the weekend. The last thing you want is to be in the crosshairs of a driver with a bad case of road rage. Have you ever made a mistake on the road, been lost, or unsure of your turn-off point? and more. Someone who is seemingly polite, kind, and patient may transform into an entirely different person behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Allowing yourself to become flustered or upset could lead to a deadly mistake. Responding to aggressive driving with aggressive driving only makes the road less safe. Dont apologize for anything, but dont argue or make accusations, either. In this blog post, well take a closer look at how aggressive driving is defined, when you might have a legal case if youre in a car accident with an aggressive driver, and how you can protect yourself (and your case) to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. If you are on the interstate, take a nearby exit. Stay alert: Pay attention to the aggressive driver's actions and be prepared to take evasive maneuvers if necessary. playing the radio loudly. Of course not. They usually just want to get to their destinations as fast as possible. Most car accident cases, including those involving aggressive driving or road range, are based on negligence. Tensions can rise on the road, leading to speeding, tailgating, lane-weaving and cutting off other drivers. When there is a serious risk of injury or death and you cannot pull over, you may contact the police while driving. While this behavior isnt all that common, it does happen enough. To tackle the threat posed by aggressive driving we must understand its causes. When you encounter an aggressive driver: The safest action to take when faced with aggression or road rage is to give the driver in question as much space as possible. Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me, Las Cruces Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me, San Antonio City Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me. Otherwise, pull over to the shoulder when it is safe to do so and let the tailgater to pass. Among other results, the organizations survey showed that nearly two in three drivers believe that aggressive driving is a bigger problem today than three years ago, while nine out of 10 believe aggressive drivers are a serious threat to their personal safety.. Always avoid competing with other drivers. Medical care is one of the most important aspects you should consider after a car accident. If you are the target of an aggressive driver, you might not be so lucky. It is important not to take an aggressive drivers actions personally, even if you are the target. However, female aggressive drivers are increasing. Several behaviors seem especially likely to enrage other drivers, according to the study: Be a cautious and courteous driver. Law Offices of Wilkerson Jones Wilkerson, Workers Compensation & Third Party Claims, Youve Got a Strong Personal Injury Claim with These 3 Signs, Timeline of a Personal Injury Case in South Carolina: What to Expect, Recognizing Nursing Home Neglect and How to Take Action, Essential Steps to Take After a Car Accident: A Quick Guide, Knowing What Is a Fair Settlement after a Car Accident. 5. Unfortunately, it may not be just your imagination. The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon for legal compliance purposes. Do not engage in these behaviors, as they increase your chances of causing an accident. Despite its dangers, aggressive driving is extremely common among U.S. drivers. Polite behavior makes driving safer. 1. If you finished with a low score, congratulations. Receiving a moderate or high score means that you have aggressive tendencies on the road and might need to take measures to reduce that aggression, says AAA. If you are the one exhibiting road rage, the American Counseling Association offers these tips to control your anger. Remember that traffic jams, red lights and the behavior of other drivers are beyond your control. If you find yourself dealing with an aggressive driver, its important to protect yourself. Sometimes, their behavior can lead to road rage. Certainly, road rage incidents would qualify as a violation. Heres some advice the AAA foundation offers moderate- and high-risk drivers: Impatience When you begin to feel your blood boil give the other drivers the benefit of the doubt and treat them with the consideration with which you would like to be treated., Competitiveness For too many motorists, driving has become a contest. You will be doing the victims of the aggressive driver a favor by calling the police, rather than attempting to assist them yourself. Like move let me go!, LOL in those moments you wish your car was built like a bumper car. Anger can make a person incredibly vindictive. The amount of times I had to [gesture at people] today while driving was absurd, said a third. Attempting to take things into your own hands is likely to inflame the situation and put you and your passengers at risk.. Chrysler Capital is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC and licensed to Santander Consumer USA Inc. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. It might also include speaking with eyewitnesses, identifying if there is any video recording (and if there is, making sure the footage is preserved), looking at GPS data, 911 calls, and morewhatever information is available that can help your case. Pulling over to engage with the aggressor or the victim is likely to worsen the situation and could lead to further property damage, injury or loss of life. Or, well, maybe. If, when you have stopped, the aggressive driver exits their vehicle and approaches yours, resist the urge to get out yourself. When a drivers aggression develops into a rage, there is very little you can do or say to calm them down. Explanation Drivers must respect and cooperate with all other road users and conform to specific rules in order to maintain order and to avoid crashes. Why not just treat yourself better and be the smarter person!. Thats why you need a tough, experienced lawyer who is used to handling these types of cases and knows how to get evidence even in challenging circumstances. This information is not intended to create, and receipt Steer away from antagonizing the driver and make an effort to suggest pulling over and taking a moment to breath and calm down. If an aggressive driver cuts you off, you should: Answers Call the police immediately. Did you get it right? Thanks to the entire team at KBG.". Blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes. The research looked at almost 10 million one-to-five-year-old, If getting a brand new or preowned vehicle is part of your plans for 2023, there are some things to keep in mind. One primaryexample is speeding, butaggressive drivingcan includeviolationssuch as the following: Data collectedby theNHTSAbetween 2003 and 2007 shows that, according toits definition,aggressive driving played a rolein 56 percent of fatal accidents on U.S. roads. You must pay attention and act defensively, to protect yourself against the threat such drivers pose. This will help keep them behind you and minimize the risk of an accident. Road rage apparently is a more troubling issue than many of us might have imagined, based on a recent survey of 2,705 drivers by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. No amount of safe driving classes could prevent an accident should an aggressive driver lose control of their vehicle. In a car accident case, broadly speaking, there are three potential categories of damages that an injured person can be awarded: Economic damages refer to expenses that have a defined price tag, like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, cost of necessary household services, skilled nursing care, etc. Sometimes we forget the good car driving experiences rather than celebrating them extraordinary road trip, smooth commute to work,, Its going to be chaos out there. becoming drowsy or inattentive on a long or boring drive is called. Driving is a stressful activity, as it requires you to remain alert, alternate between multiple tasks and avoid dangerous situations. If you answer Often or Always to most of the questions, theres a pretty good chance youre a rager. And dont get us started on how exciting it is to get behind the wheel of a new vehicle. Aggressive drivers, as you might expect, arent always cooperative with a car crash investigation. It's easy to become distracted while driving. In general, punitive damages are rare. When you get in touch for your free consultation, one of our compassionate car accident lawyers will make sure you understand all of your legal options. If you allow aggressive behavior to wash over you and focus on the task of driving instead, you will quickly forget the encounter and be able to get on with enjoying your day. But excitement sometimes has a darker side. Ridesharing, transportation, and car facts, articles, and news. Forget the idea of winning on the road. Now, you may be wondering when youll receive your title. What Happens When Your Vehicle Gets Towed After a Car Accident? A sampling of more recent #roadrage posts on Instagram a social media channel dedicated to photos, videos, graphics and hashtag-heavy text provided the following commentary: Our own unscientific survey of Twitter, which seemed to involve a higher proportion of actual #roadrage tweets than posts on Instagram, yielded the following observations: While its difficult to imagine a road rager pulling over to comment on Instagram or Twitter . When cut off? You may see them barreling down major roads, weaving through traffic or blowing through red lights. The reality is, theres no [], After a multi-car accident, drivers and insurance companies often point fingers at each other, trying to shift blame to someone else. Published on Apr 14, 2022 at 2:16 pm in Car Accidents. Privacy Policy | Sitemap, "Wes Addington and his team did a fantastic job for me. Home / Blog / How to Report Aggressive Driving. They helped us when we needed help! While dealing with an aggressive driver can be frustrating, its important to stay relaxed and avoid eye contact, do not act disapproving and ignore any rude gestures. Posts hashtagged #roadrage are most prevalent in August, followed by July, October and March. The worst highway here, the worst city there, the most reckless drivers, well, anywhere. Try not to become worked up or angry yourself, as this will only add fuel to the fire. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved, Make every effort to keep out of their way, The Causes of Aggressive Driving & Road Rage. Aggressive driving can be caused by longer commutes, traffic congestion, and other drivers behaviors. At one time or another, you probably had to deal with an aggressive driver, but the one thing you probably didnt do is report it. What Is the Three Second Rule for Driving? avoid all contact and get away. More often than not, unsolicited interference from other road users will only make the aggressive person feel more indignant and angrier as a result. All Rights Reserved. Then, drive somewhere safe, like a police station. Retaliate by tailgating them. This is not to say that aggressive drivers act this way for no reason. 7 things to know if youre buying a car in 2023, 14 Car dashboard symbols and meanings demystified, Finding the truth about the worst American cities for drivers and the best, Purposefully tailgating 51 percent, 104 million drivers, Yelling at another driver 47 percent, 95 million, Honking to show annoyance or anger 45 percent, 91 million, Making angry gestures 33 percent, 67 million, Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes 24 percent, 49 million, Cutting off another vehicle on purpose 12 percent, 24 million, Getting out of a vehicle to confront another driver 4 percent, 7.6 million, Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose 3 percent, 5.7 million. In fact, a study by AAA found that nearly 80 percent of drivers felt anger, aggression or road rage in the past year. However, to improve your chances of receiving a great settlement or jury award, youll need to make sure you keep a cool head yourself. Your safety is ultimately your responsibility and should be your primary concern. You suffered damages (property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.) Do not try to teach other drivers a lesson.. Changing lanes without signaling. Slow down or exit the roadway if necessary, but do not pull off to the side of the road or try to "reason" with an angry . https://crosleylaw.com/blog/author/crosleystage/. Now that youve finished #RoadRage in America and youre an expert on the subject, be sure to take your knowledge on the road with you. Keeping a cool head is the key to protecting yourself from an aggressive driver. In the case where you are a passenger traveling with an aggressive driver, you should do your best to calm things down. No one likes being stuck in traffic. The personal injury attorneys at KBG Injury Law are all experienced litigators. On top of dealing with things like medical bills, car damages, and lost income from not being able to work, you might also struggle to get back behind the wheel. Do not react or retaliate if you are threatened or spoken to rudely. Do not allow wounded pride to make you do something youll regret. Slowly count to 10. By changing your approach to driving, you can make every trip more pleasant.. It takes everyone's effort and cooperation to keep traffic flowing safely and smoothly. Change lanes if it is safe and possible to do so. Aggressive driving occurs when a driver endangers another person with his or her actions on the road. Dont offend. However, some drivers treat things like highway maintenance, rush hour, or other issues that slow down traffic as personal affronts to themselves.
Daily Drinking Questionnaire,
Shores Of Nine Realm Tears,
Examples Of Priorities In Life,
What Are The Three Phases Of Gastric Secretion?,
Geonet Christchurch Earthquake,
Articles W
when encountering an aggressive driver, you should:
