Dealing with Aggressive Driving and Road Rage on Florida Roadways
Drivers who engage in aggressive driving behavior place others using Florida roadways in danger. Accidents involving motorists in a fit of road rage often result in more severe injuries because they often speed and use their vehicle as a weapon. While negligent drivers usually cause accidents because they engage in mistakes or errors in judgment, road rage constitutes even more unacceptable conduct because the driver intentionally engages in unsafe driving practices. If you or a loved one experiences injuries in a road rage car accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation from the other driver. Although a driver can be held liable for the financial impact of a collision caused by aggressive driving or road rage, the laws of every state (and the federal government) impose strict deadlines for bringing a claim, so you should talk to a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer promptly after your accident.
When you see a driver engaged in aggressive driving tactics that might be triggered by road rage, you should try to keep a safe distance. Common signs of road rage include the following:
- Tailgating
- Laying on the horn
- Flashing headlights
- Abrupt stops
- Offensive gestures and screaming
..."certain types of unsafe driving behaviors tend to cause specific types of accidents."
While motorists engulfed in a fit of road rage can cause many types of accidents, certain types of unsafe driving behaviors tend to cause specific types of accidents. Examples include the following:
- Rear-End Collisions: Drivers who speed and follow too closely often lack the ability to stop in time to avoid a collision. Raging drivers also cause rear impact accidents by engaging in short stops and brake checks.
- Run Off the Road Accidents: Drivers who attempt to crowd other drivers or force them off the road can cause a dangerous road departure accident. Even if the angry motorist does not manage to run another vehicle off the road, the act of forcing another driver out of a lane can lead to sideswipe accidents.
- Rollover Accidents: When an aggressive driver tries to run another driver off the road, the victimized driver can experience a rollover crash after being forced off the roadway. Rollover accidents pose a particularly high risk of catastrophic or fatal injuries especially when a driver or passenger does not wear a seatbelt. Even when all vehicle occupants are buckled in, a rollover accident can cause debilitating head, neck, or spine injuries if the roof collapses so that the passenger compartment fails to maintain its structural integrity during a collision.
An important safety precaution for all drivers is not to engage a driver experiencing a bout of road rage. Even if the aggressive driving of another driver causes you to experience anger, you should take a deep breath and keep your distance. Aggressive and raging drivers can be liable for the financial impact of their conduct, but you can be considered partially at fault if you retaliate with your own road rage conduct. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you hold an aggressive driver legally responsible for the harm they cause to other motorists.
Fuentes Berrio Schutt is here to help accident victims receive the financial compensation that they deserve for their claims. Call us 24/7 at 954-752-1110 for your free case review and consultation. Protect your rights today. Nosotros hablamos español.
Fuentes Berrio Schutt
709 E Hillsboro Blvd
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Phone: 1-954-752-1110
Hours: Open 24 hours