Maison Law helps those injured in car accidents in California. When a driver loses their cool, it not only increases the chances of an accident, but it often makes an accident much worse in terms of the damage. If you’ve been hurt because of a road rage car accident in California, you have legal options and we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why is Road Rage a Leading Cause of Car Accidents in California?
In general, it’s not all that difficult to understand why road rage is the 9th leading cause of car accidents in California: road rage is a very dangerous mindset, and takes away a driver’s sense of responsibility.
But specifically, road rage is a major issue across California. A recent study from Forbes found that California had the most confrontational drivers in the country. In fact, 32% of drivers polled said that they had been on the receiving end of:
- Yelling
- Insults
- Cursing
- Threats
These are some of the most common characteristics of road rage, but there’s underlying factors with road rage that lead to accidents. Usually, this involves:
- Tailgating – In a road rage situation, drivers may follow others too closely, leading to rear-end collisions if the car in front suddenly stops. This aggressive behavior increases stress and can provoke unsafe driving from the driver being tailgated.
- Aggressively swerving – Road rage can cause drivers to make sudden, sharp lane changes without signaling. This unpredictability can surprise you and other drivers, resulting in sideswipes or trying to get away that may cause accidents.
- Speeding – Speeding often accompanies road rage, as drivers become frustrated and drive too fast. This gives everyone less time to react and makes accidents more severe and harder to avoid.
- Erratic driving – Road rage often leads to erratic driving behaviors, such as weaving in and out of lanes or making sudden stops. This, obviously, increases the risk of collisions and multi-vehicle accidents.
This is a scary situation, but it’s also a pretty clear example of negligence. This gives you the option to file an injury claim when you’re hurt in a car accident. But more importantly, you need to know what to do when you’re dealing with a road rage incident.
How Do You Handle a Road Rage Situation in California?
Even though it’s clearly negligent, road rage carries with it the real threat of violence. The worst road rage incidents don’t just involve verbal threats and yelling, but it requires urgency from you, the other driver. You have to try to defuse the situation, but you also have to also try to avoid accidents. In a road rage situation, this is pretty difficult. However, there are things you can do:
- Stay calm – If you find yourself in a situation with an aggressive driver, try to stay calm and avoid responding with anger. Keeping your emotions in check can prevent the situation from getting worse.
- Don’t engage – Don’t engage with the aggressive driver by making eye contact or reacting to their behavior. This can sometimes provoke further aggression. Avoid retaliating, honking, or using hand gestures, as these actions can escalate the situation. Focus on driving safely.
- Give them space – Safely increase the distance between you and the road-rage driver. Slow down or change lanes to allow them to pass and move away from you.
- Call 911 if needed – If the aggressive driver is threatening or following you, call 911 and report them. Provide the vehicle’s description, location, and direction they’re going.
- Get to safety – If you feel unsafe, drive to a public area, such as a police station, gas station, or crowded parking lot, where you can seek help.
Most road rage situations can leave you feeling helpless and scared, but by taking these steps, you can improve your chances of not being in an accident. Remember, if you are in an accident in a road rage situation, don’t try to talk to the other driver. Your best option is to call 911 for the police and let them handle the scene. From there, you can lean on our team to help you through the claims process.
For more information, you can visit our blog naming the other top ten causes of California car accidents.
How Maison Law Can Help You After a Road Rage Accident in California
A road rage accident isn’t just common in California, it’s also very troubling–because it’s entirely preventable. In California, you don’t have to hire a lawyer after a car accident, even if it involves road rage. However, road rage accidents are often more serious, leading to severe injuries or emotional stress. Moreover, it can be somewhat hard to prove that another driver was being aggressive or raging at the time.
While you might handle minor accidents on your own, having our team’s help can be hugely beneficial. Here’s how we can help you:
- Understanding your legal rights and what to expect in a road rage case.
- Figuring out who is responsible for paying for your damages, which can be tricky in road rage situations.
- Gathering important evidence, like witness statements or video footage, to prove the other driver’s reckless actions.
- Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement.
- Guiding you through the legal process to make sure you get fair support for your injuries, like your medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
More than anything else, we want to make things easier on you during this tough time. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by road rage, contact us today for a free consultation.
