Driving can be stressful, but road rage can turn dangerous. Road rage incidents significantly increase the likelihood of car accidents: aggressive driving behavior can impair judgment and increase reaction times. Accidents resulting from road rage often cause severe injuries and property damage, and in some cases, fatalities. If you’ve been involved in an accident where road rage was a factor, it’s important to gather evidence to support your claim and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
What is road rage?
Road rage is characterized by aggressive or violent behavior exhibited by drivers on the road. This can include tailgating, speeding, aggressive gestures or language, running red lights, blocking cars from passing, weaving through traffic, “brake checking” other vehicles and even deliberate collisions or confrontations. These incidents are often fueled by frustration, stress or anger and can escalate quickly. Avoid engaging with aggressive drivers and seek safety whenever possible.
Using evidence of road rage to prove your accident claim
Ohio does not have any specific road rage laws. Typically, car accidents are litigated under a theory of negligence. The plaintiff must show that the defendant had a duty of care to them (to avoid causing harm to others), they failed in that duty and as a result, the plaintiff suffered actual harm. Even if you can’t specifically prove that road rage occurred, you can often still pursue a negligence claim against the other driver.
Generally, evidence could include witness statements, video footage from dash cams or surveillance cameras and police reports documenting the aggressive behavior of the other driver. If there is evidence of prior road rage incidents involving the at-fault driver, this can establish a pattern of dangerous behavior. By presenting evidence of road rage, you can establish that the other driver’s reckless behavior directly contributed to the accident.
Depending on the severity of the incident, the at-fault driver may also be criminally liable for crimes like assault, menacing or disorderly conduct. If they are convicted, this can also support your claim.
Ultimately, proving negligence is the key to obtaining compensation for your injuries. It’s important to work with skilled personal injury attorneys like the Law Offices of Tim Misny. We can help by reviewing your claim, explaining your legal options, gathering evidence, working with your insurance company and navigating the legal system. Working with us can increase your chances of recovering compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and related losses. Call today to get started.
Consult a Columbus auto accident lawyer today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your road rage accident claim. When you’re the victim of negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
