Road rage is one of the top causes of car accidents in Sugar Land, Texas. These accidents often led to devastating injuries because of their violent nature. Road rage involves aggressive, angry, or violent behavior exhibited by a driver toward other road users, stemming from frustration or impatience while driving.
What is Road Rage?
Road rage refers to when an individual is driving aggressively or recklessly and causes or attempts to cause harm to another driver. Various driving behaviors can be described as road rage, including:
• Intentionally cutting off a driver,
• Physically assaulting a driver,
• Braking suddenly in front of another car,
• Unsafe lane changes,
• Running another vehicle off of the road,
• Intentionally tailgating,
• Preventing a car from changing lanes,
• Yelling,
• Making vulgar gestures,
• Aggressively honking the horn,
• Intentionally bumming or ramming into another vehicle,
• Threatening or assaulting another driver with a firearm, and
• Pursuing another driver at high speeds.
How Do You De-escalate a Road Rage Incident?
Because road rage is so dangerous, it is important to be aware of steps you can take if you encounter an aggressive, angry driver. You cannot control other drivers, but you can control how you respond. The steps below can help you avoid an accident with an aggressive driver by de-escalating the situation.
1. Don’t Return Vulgar Gestures. If you get upset in return, the situation will quickly escalate. You should never return rude gestures, yell, or match an aggressive driver’s behavior. Instead, you should focus on the road and take deep breaths. Ignoring them is powerful too. It shows that you are indifferent to their bad behavior.
2. Put Distance Between You and the Other Driver. You should remove your vehicle from the situation by slowing down or changing lanes.
3. Nod or Wave While Avoiding Eye Contact. It is useless to try and win a fight with an aggressive driver. Even if you know that you are in the right, you should nod or wave at the other driver while avoiding eye contact.
4. Drive Defensively. You should always be prepared for the unexpected. It is critical to be aware of your surroundings, avoid distractions, and maintain safe driving distances. There are always risks when you get behind the wheel, so it is critical to be prepared.
5. Call Police – If necessary, call Police 911. Calling police for road rage ensures safety, helps de-escalate potentially dangerous situations, facilitates legal intervention, and discourages aggressive driving behavior, protecting all road users.
What Should I Do If I Was in an Accident Caused By Road Rage in Sugar Land?
If you were injured in an accident caused by suspected road rage in Sugar Land, you should take the following action:
1. Seek medical attention. Sometimes injuries are more severe than they first appear, so it is important to get evaluated by a medical professional for any injury. Make sure to keep records of all the medical care you received that is related to the accident.
2. Call the police. If you are concerned for your safety, you should stay in your car until the police arrive. Do not engage with the other driver without law enforcement present. You should make sure to get a copy of the police report and the contact and insurance information of the other driver.
3. Document the accident. You should take photos and videos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and your injuries. You should also gather the contact information of any witnesses. Their testimony could prove vital to your claim.
4. Call an experienced car accident attorney. If you were injured in an accident caused by road rage, there is a high likelihood you will be entitled to compensation in addition to any criminal consequences that the perpetrator may suffer. You should never settle with the insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. It is common for insurance companies to offer quick, lowball offers to unrepresented drivers. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and file a lawsuit if necessary.
What Compensation is Available in Road Rage Car Accidents in Sugar Land?
The compensation you will receive will depend on the unique circumstances of your case, including the severity of your injuries. Possible damages that you may be granted in a road rage case include:
• Past and future medical expenses,
• Lost earning capacity,
• Lost wages,
• Pain and suffering,
• Loss of enjoyment of life,
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement, and
• Funeral expenses.
In extreme cases, you could be awarded punitive damages. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the defendant and set an example, not to compensate you for your injuries. The judge will award punitive damages if the defendant acted intentionally or with gross negligence.
Your Sugar Land Car Accident Attorney
Adam Capetillo is an experienced Sugar Land attorney passionate about protecting the rights of his clients. If you have been in an accident caused by road rage, we encourage you to call our office today at (346) 249-5544 to schedule a free consultation.
