Driving can be stressful. Even the calmest people can get frustrated – even angry – under the right circumstances. But there’s no excuse for letting that frustration put others at risk. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an enraged driver, you could be owed compensation for the medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage you’ve suffered. The attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons can help you obtain it.
Our Oklahoma car accident lawyers know how to hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions and help our clients seek the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your legal rights after a road rage accident.
How Many Accidents Are Caused by Road Rage?
While it’s difficult to determine exactly how many traffic accidents are caused by road rage, we know that angry or otherwise aggressive drivers are responsible for a significant number of collisions. According to a study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, aggressive driving behaviors contributed to more than half of all fatal crashes in one recent year. Researchers also found that about four out of every five drivers admitted to engaging in aggressive driving at some point in the past year.
How to Identify Road Rage
Many people think of aggressive driving and road rage as being interchangeable terms. While both are dangerous behaviors, there are some key differences. Aggressive driving includes risky behaviors such as tailgating, speeding, cutting off other drivers, and weaving in and out of traffic.
Road rage takes it further by intentionally making other drivers fearful of immediate danger. Road rage includes behavior like rude gestures, yelling, hitting or bumping another vehicle, forcing a car off the road, or intimidating another driver with unreasonable use of brakes or headlights.
What to Do in a Road Rage Incident
In the stress of the moment, you may not know what to do when someone road rages on you. If you notice that another motorist is driving aggressively or beginning to show signs of road rage, you can potentially defuse the situation by taking the following steps:
- Remain calm – It is important to remain calm. If you engage in further aggressive behaviors, you could worsen the situation and jeopardize your ability to seek compensation for your losses.
- Avoid making eye contact – Eye contact may tell the other driver that you want to fight, even if that is not your intent.
- Do not respond – Even small gestures like shaking your head or showing frustration can upset the other driver and cause them to escalate their behavior.
- Prepare for a possible collision – Buckle your seat belt if you haven’t already, practice defensive driving tactics, and brace yourself for a potential collision if the other driver continues to push the limits.
- Gather information – As soon as you reach your destination, record as much information as you can remember about the incident and call 911. If the enraged driver is following you, go to a public place or police station rather than your home.
What to Do After a Road Rage Accident
In the moments immediately after a road rage accident, it is important to remain calm, contact police, and document as much information as possible –including the other vehicle’s license plate number and photos at the scene of the accident. You should also seek medical attention.
The following steps can help protect your right to seek compensation from the driver who hurt you:
- Continue medical treatment – Attending doctor’s appointments as scheduled will help you recover from your injuries and create documentation that can be helpful to establish your losses.
- Avoid sharing too many details – Try not to speak with any insurance adjusters until after you have consulted with an attorney. When you do provide a statement, stick to the facts and don’t add personal opinions. Do not suggest ways that you may have been at fault.
- Stay off social media – Avoid posting about your accident on social media. Insurance adjusters may check your online presence to gather additional information they can use against you.
- Contact an experienced attorney – It can be particularly difficult to get the compensation you’re owed, as most insurance companies will not cover accidents attributed to road rage. Instead, the driver themselves could be held liable for paying for your losses. An attorney with experience handling road rage accidents can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Talk to an Experienced Aggressive Driving Lawyer in Oklahoma City, OK Today
Road rage is one of the leading causes of accidents on American roadways, partly because it can be difficult to hold aggressive drivers accountable for their actions. If you’ve been injured because of another driver’s road rage, the attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons can help you hold them accountable and seek the money you need for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Our Oklahoma City road rage accident lawyers have been helping people like you get the compensation they need for more than 30 years. We will take the time to understand the details of your case and get to know you personally so we understand every way the accident affects your life. This kind of one-on-one attention allows us to build strong relationships with our clients, helping us represent them at the negotiating table and in court.
Don’t let the person who hurt you get away with their aggressive or otherwise reckless behavior. Contact us today to find out how we can help you during a free consultation.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
