Road Rage Lawyers

Road rage is a serious problem in Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one have been the victim of road rage, you may have a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the driver that caused your injuries or property damage. A road rage lawyer can help you.

“Road Rage” and “Aggressive Driving” Defined

Aggressive driving is a traffic offense where a motorist drives carelessly, often in a rush, with a noticeable disregard for the safety of other drivers. Road rage, on the other hand, is a criminal offense that is oftentimes the result of aggressive driving that escalates into threats and assault with a vehicle or other dangerous weapon.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving usually occurs when a motorist is in a rush and drives carelessly in order to get through traffic. A finding that a motorist was driving aggressively will often constitute a traffic offense. Aggressive drivers are those who:

Personal Injury: Common Types of Accidents and How the Law Holds Someone Responsible

• Speed excessively
• Tailgate slower vehicles
• Weave in and out of traffic
• Change lanes frequently and erratically
• Fail to yield the right of way
• Fail to stop at stop signs or red lights

Road Rage

Road rage occurs when aggressive driving escalates to a more dangerous level. In these situations, a driver intentionally threatens other drivers or motorists with their vehicle or another weapon. Road rage is considered a criminal offense in Pennsylvania, and perpetrators can be arrested for assault, assault with a deadly weapon, or harassment. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the legal definition of “road rage” is:

“[When a driver] commits moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property; an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”

Signs of road rage include:

• Sudden acceleration or deceleration too close to other drivers
• Tailgating other vehicles and continuously flashing lights at other cars
• Intentionally slamming on the breaks in front of another vehicle
• Yelling at other drivers or making lewd or profane gestures at other motorists
• Persistent use of the vehicle’s horn

What to Do If You are a Victim of Road Rage

Unfortunately, motorists who encounter aggressive drivers often become the victims of road rage, which can result in property damage, personal injury, or fatalities.

What Are My Employee Rights?

To add to this already troubling landscape, it can be difficult to get information from the aggressive driver after a collision occurs, as road rage incidents oftentimes lead to hit and run accidents.

If possible, try to get as much information about the scene of the accident as possible, as this will help assist the police and will help you in dealing with your insurance company and in litigation. Such information includes

• The license plate number of the aggressive driver
• The make and model of the aggressive driver’s car
• A description of what happened
• The contact information for any eye witnesses that may have seen the accident occur
• Any medical diagnoses you receive and any medical bills you incur as a result of the accident

Can I Sue the Other Driver?

The events that occur during a road rage related incident often lead to civil lawsuits (i.e. the person at fault will be liable to you for monetary damages if he or she is found guilty). If you are able to identify the driver at fault, you may be able to sue them for any personal injury or property damage you sustained as a result of the incident. Most of the time, the injured party will sue the aggressive driver for assault and/or battery.

Contact KM&A

• Assault arises when someone places you in reasonable fear of bodily injury. This can occur when an aggressive driver threatens to hit you with their car, makes gestures indicating that he or she intends to cause you harm, or shouts threats that make you fear for your safety.
• Battery, on the other hand, arises when the aggressive driver physically touches you in a harmful or offensive manner without your consent. Instances of this would be if the aggressive driver hits you with his or her car, gets out of his or her car and strikes you, gets out of his or her car and pounds on your windows, or drives you off the road.

Why Hire a Road Rage Attorney?

Suffering injuries or property damage at the hands of an aggressive driver can be a frightening, confusing experience. It is important for you to understand your rights and know exactly what your options are moving forward. Dealing with the aftereffects of a road rage accident can often be a tedious process, requiring lengthy discussions with insurance companies and an in-depth investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident. An experienced attorney will be able to evaluate your case, gather all the necessary information, and advise you on the best routes to take next.

If you have experienced injuries or damage to your property as the result of a road rage accident, it is important for you to contact an attorney who understands the law surrounding your case. At Kraemer, Manes & Associates, our personal injury attorney has the experience necessary to review the facts of your case and thoroughly advise you on what to do next.

Call (412) 626-5626 To Speak With A Car Accident Lawyer

Auto Accident Attorneys Give Immediate & Complimentary Consultations 

Email A Car Accident Lawyer

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC “KM&A” is a personal injury law firm with car accident lawyers serving all of Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident involving serious personal injury, or you have lost  a loved one from an accident, we invite you to contact us for a consultation. Call a KM&A car accident lawyer at 412-626-5626 or email us at lawyer@lawkm.com.