According to the National Safety Council (NSC), aggressive driving (road rage) is characterized by a “physical assault on a person or property following a traffic incident that results in intentional harm.” Despite knowing the definition of road rage, we all know it when we see it, especially if you live in New Jersey.
A study done by the NSC displays road rage as being the cause of 12,610 injuries and 218 homicides in the United States over a time span of seven (7) years. Forty percent of these incidents involved a firearm and the study also shows that young males are more likely to resort to physical aggression than other drivers. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that 106,000 fatalities in the United States over a time span of four (4) years were direct results of aggressive driving. The AAA Foundation also conducted a study showing that nearly 80% of all drivers have aggressively driven in the past 30 days. Road rage is a bigger problem than what drivers currently perceive.
In New Jersey, there are many factors that may contribute to frustration while driving, and ultimately aggressive driving inevitably leads to road rage. There is much literature on why people get frustrated while driving. New Jersey enjoys the reputation of having some of the worst traffic in the country, as well as some of the most aggressive drivers to boot.
We all have seen it, and, hopefully, we all avoid it, but here are some of the common traits of driving that falls within the category of road rage. Road rage can be categorized into a few different classifications. The first is verbal expression, which can be a driver yelling, cursing, or expressing obscene remarks out loud. Distraction can manifest in revving an engine, flashing the high beams, and/or honking the horn with the intention to distract, irritate, and/or intimidate other drivers. Physical expression may manifest in a variety of ways, including hitting the steering wheel or window with a fist, displaying rude or obscene gestures, and/or exiting a vehicle in order to start a confrontation. The most dangerous of these categories must be unsafe maneuvers. Whatever kind of road rage you are a victim of, it is important to understand that you are a victim of road rage while it is happening.
Rapidly accelerating, tailgating, excessively changing lanes, and overall unsafe maneuvering driving in a car are definitely considered road rage. This can also be seen as the most dangerous form of road rage. There are many ways driving can be aggressive and considered road rage. These incidents, as previously mentioned, can often lead to serious accidents and serious injuries.
Some of the more common types of accidents due to aggressive driving and road rage are being forced off the side of the road into a ditch or divider and failing to brake, and hitting a back bumper. More often than not, road rage incidents lead to injury caused by the aggressive driver themselves and not the victim crashing their car. What comes from a road rage incident, such as a physical altercation, or worse, such as involving the use of a weapon, can often be cause for serious injury.
If a driver acts aggressively and causes an accident, that driver can be liable for negligence. If the driver is determined to be recklessly negligent, the driver can be found criminally liable for reckless driving, but they may also be liable for providing compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and/or any medical expenses associated with the injury caused by the driver.
To ensure that the victim is properly made whole for the injuries they have suffered by an aggressive driver, retaining an experienced New Jersey accident attorney concentrating in this specific type of case and other crash-related injury cases is paramount.
Having a skilled and experienced attorney to represent you in suing an aggressive driver is essential to receiving justice and maximum compensation. It is very difficult to differentiate criminal behavior, intentionally causing harm to another driver, from negligent behavior on the part of the defendant, and then correlate this specific conduct with the cause of your accident. This can be the difference between rectifying what harm has been caused to you as the victim of road rage. As such, you want an erudite, trusted accident lawyer handling your case from beginning to end. Being proactive about documenting your injuries and talking to a personal injury attorney as soon as you are able can set you on the right track for success when seeking compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh is here to assist you immediately with the complexities of the legal process following a road rage collision in Asbury Park, Howell, Wall, Freehold, Red Bank, Toms River, and across Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex County. We encourage you to contact us online or call us at 732-440-3950 or toll-free at 888-328-9131 for the help you need now.
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