According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accidents caused by to aggressive driving and road rage comprise at least a third of all auto accidents. Road rage is violent driving behavior that comes from a person’s uncontrolled anger towards others on the road. Road rage includes cursing, verbally insulting or threatening another driver, throwing objects at another car, and in some cases, also include assaults and collisions. Road rage is not the same as aggressive driving. Aggressive driving can include a variety of driving behaviors that endanger other people or property. Speeding, ignoring traffic signals and signs, changing lanes irresponsibly without signaling, failure to yield, driving too close to other vehicles, and various other such behaviors are considered to be aggressive driving. Aggressive driving does not have to include anger or violence aimed at another driver. However, it is extremely dangerous, just like road rage, and poses a risk to the driver as well as to other people on the road.
You Can Prevent Road Rage and Aggressive Driving Auto Accidents
When you are behind the wheel, you have no control over the driving patterns of others around you. At most, you can only take a few measures to avoid someone’s road rage from being directed at you, or to get out of the way when someone is driving aggressively.
To begin with, avoid aggravating or antagonizing other drivers. Do not honk incessantly, do not change lanes without signaling, first, be patient with other drivers, and always follow each and every traffic rule. If you feel overwhelmed by your own anger, take a break. Pull over, take a few deep breaths, and make sure that you are safe to drive before getting back on the road.
If you notice road rage or aggressive driving in others, try to avoid them. It is best to not make eye contact, and to allow the person to get ahead of you. You may even need to turn down a different street and change your route to avoid an aggressive driver. Never respond to road rage with similar behaviors, as this will only escalate the situation and lead to an accident.
Consequences for Road Rage and Aggressive Driving in Augusta, Georgia
Road rage and aggressive driving are traffic violations in Augusta, Georgia. An aggressive driving conviction can result in six points on the drivers’ license, in addition to possible jail time and expensive fines. If the driver has been previously issued any points, then these additional six points can limit him or her to a greater extent during the suspension period. If the driver is under 21 years of age, then their license can be suspended for a period of six months.
Responding to an Aggressive Driving or Road Rage Auto Accident in Augusta, Georgia
Even if you follow all traffic rules and take every safety precaution, it is inevitable that you will at some time or the other, be subjected to road rage or aggressive driving. At times, road rage may be mild and limited to verbal insults; however, it can quickly get out of hand and become a serious hazard on the road. Similarly, most of the time it is possible to avoid aggressive drivers; but sometimes, their driving could cause a serious accident. In the event of such an accident, it is important that you know what to do.
First, make sure that you file a police report. A police report will serve as an official document of your accident. If you have been injured, seek medical assistance, and remember to obtain any reports or medical bills that will support your claim for damages.
You can then file a claim against the driver that was driving aggressively or with road rage. In Augusta, Georgia, you must prove that the other driver acted negligently or recklessly and without reasonable care. You will also need to establish the following:
If you successfully prove that the accident was caused due to aggressive driving or road rage on the part of another driver, and if you can also prove that you were injured in the accident and/or sustained property damage, then you can recover compensation for any damage that was caused to you, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, etc. You could also recover noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering, trauma, punitive damages, etc. The exact amount of compensation you will be entitled to depends upon the specifics of your case.
Further, you must also bear in mind that Augusta, Georgia auto accident cases are subject to the modified comparative negligence system. According to this system, you can claim damages, even if you were partly at fault for the accident. However, your role in causing the accident should amount to less than 50%. In such cases, the compensation that you receive will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is assigned to you. If your damages amounted to $10,000, but it is established in court that you were 20% at fault, then 20% will be deducted from the original compensation amount, and you will receive $8,000. However, if you are determined to be 50% or more at fault, then you cannot claim damages at all.
Seek Legal Guidance and Representation from Ted A. Greve & Associates
If you were the victim of a road rage or aggressive driving auto accident in Augusta, Georgia, you can claim damages from the at fault driver. Because Georgia is an at-fault state for auto accidents, it is necessary for you to be able to successfully establish that the other driver was at fault to recover compensation. You will need evidence to prove this, and a skilled car wreck attorney in Augusta GA will help you gather and present the required evidence. Further, if you were partly to blame for the accident, it is important to ensure that the other party does not exaggerate the percentage of your fault. Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates to learn more.
