A Paterson Car Accident Lawyer’s Guide to Sharing the Road With Angry Drivers
New Jersey was recently ranked sixth among U.S. states with the most aggressive drivers by the tech company GasBuddy. Aggressive driving and road rage can lead to serious car accidents and consequent injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car wreck caused by another driver’s road rage, it’s important to know your rights.
Since New Jersey has so many aggressive drivers, it’s likely you’ve had an encounter with one already. Learn how to better protect yourself when hitting the notoriously aggressive roadways of New Jersey by checking out our list of 5 surprising facts you may not know about road rage.
1. Road Rage Stems From Aggressive Driving
Road rage is commonly mistaken for aggressive driving. Aggressive driving is an epidemic in New Jersey and usually takes the form of tailgating, reckless lane changes, speeding, honking, and leering. It is when these actions lead to a violent altercation that it becomes a road rage incident. This includes running another driver off the road, brandishing a weapon, and even hand-to-hand combat.
2. Road Rage Accidents Are More Common Than You Think
The troubles of everyday life can be overbearing for many people. One missed turn signal could send someone over the edge into a fit of road rage. In fact, a AAA study found that over 12,500 injuries could be linked to road rage over a seven-year period. That’s about 1,786 road rage injuries per year, or nearly 150 road rage injuries per month.
3. A Weapon Is Often Involved
In two recent New Jersey road rage cases, a gun and a golf club were used in the climax of aggressive behavior. It is very common for a weapon to be used in the thralls of road rage, so it’s imperative that you do not engage an aggressive driver for this very reason. It would seem that aggressive drivers have a higher likelihood of possessing a weapon (or something that can be used as a weapon) in their vehicle.
4. You Can Report an Enraged Driver
If you believe someone on the road is exhibiting signs of aggressive driving or road rage, you can report it to the local authorities. Reporting an aggressive driver will protect other drivers from being harmed by this individual. Dial #77 and be prepared to give the make and model of the vehicle in question, as well as the license plate number. An officer will take this information and search for the individual in question.
5. You May Be Entitled to Compensation If You Were Hit by an Aggressive Driver
If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone exhibiting road rage, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Our Paterson car accident lawyers at Peter N. Davis & Associates understand the laws surrounding road rage accidents, and we may be able to help you fight for what you deserve. We will work with your insurance company and fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
We are a personal injury law firm with legal services covering all types of auto accidents. Call our office today for a free consultation. We can be reached at 973-279-7246, or you can fill out our online case evaluation form.