Fighting Road Rage Accident Injuries
Road rage occurs all over the United States, with some drivers flying into a blind rage even in response to trivial incidents. In worst-case scenarios, these incidents can injure other drivers or even pedestrians. When that happens, the injured party may be entitled to compensation.
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Preventing Road Rage-Related Car Accidents
Drivers experiencing road rage are more likely to get into accidents, either unintentionally or on purpose. There’s only so much that another person can do to avoid road rage accident injuries. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm, not to respond to like with like. Instead, try:
- Slowing down or taking an exit to get away from the situation.
- Pulling into a parking lot in a busy area when followed by a driver with road rage.
- Pulling into a police station parking lot if there is one nearby.
- Leaving stressful situations or pulling off the road when strong emotions hit to not respond with road rage.
- Common Injuries Related to Road Rage Incidents
The severity of injuries incurred during road rage incidents can range from minor to extremely severe or even fatal. Ultimately, it depends on how well the aggressor controls their temper and whether the victim can get away successfully. Some drivers vent their frustrations by cursing or antagonizing others with persistent horn blaring, flashing lights, or engine revving. These issues are annoying, but they rarely lead to accidents.
Real trouble usually occurs when drivers experiencing road rage vent their frustrations by employing dangerous maneuvers, such as speeding up and cutting people off, crowding other drivers out of their lanes, brake checking vehicles, or intentionally crashing into other cars.
The severity of the victim’s injuries may vary depending on how fast both of the cars were moving and what type of incident they were involved in, but they can include:
- Whiplash
- Lacerations
- Bruising
- Jaw injuries
- Fractured bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Wrongful death
No matter what type of injury was caused by the road rage accident, the driver responsible should be held accountable. The accident victim, or the victim’s surviving family in the event of wrongful death, can do just that by filing a road rage compensation claim with the help of a lawyer.
What to Do Following a Road Rage Incident
When one driver is acting erratically due to road rage, the situation can continue to heat up fast. It’s essential for the victims of road rage should take a few steps to protect themselves, including:
Calling the Police
The first step to take is to call 911. The victim should quickly inform the operator that an angry, irrational driver is creating a dangerous situation and share the exact location.
Staying in the Car
Drivers with road rage often try to bait people into getting into fights once they have found a way to stop their victims’ cars. Don’t take the bait. Instead, stay in the vehicle until the police arrive.
Don’t Leave the Scene
Even if the other driver leaves, the victim should remain at the incident scene if the police have been called. File a report describing any injuries and offer information about the driver who caused the accident.
Get Help Now
Been involved in a road rage incident and want help filing a claim? The best thing to do is schedule a consultation with a road rage accident lawyer right away.
