Can I Sue for Damages As the Victim of a Road Rage Accident?

If you were hurt in a collision caused by a driver with road rage, you deserve accountability and justice. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. The car accident lawyers at Stone Rose Law can help explain your rights and take legal action on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling us at (480) 428-2697.

What Is Road Rage?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the term “aggressive driving” emerged as a label for dangerous driving behaviors, such as:

Following too closely
Running stop lights and signs
Driving at excessive speeds
Weaving through traffic
Gesturing in anger
Yelling at other motorists
Physical assault

The term “road rage” is used to describe the angry and violent behaviors at the extreme of the aggressive driving continuum, according to the NHTSA. The NHTSA also notes that road rage involves criminal conduct while aggressive driving does not.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety defines road rage as “an assault with a motor vehicle … by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway. While aggressive driving often involves negligence, road rage involves a deliberate attempt to hurt or intimidate other motorists.”

Common Causes of Road Rage Crashes

Common causes of road rage crashes include:

Purposefully tailgating other drivers
Brake checking
Blocking other vehicles from passing or changing lanes
Yelling or making angry gestures at other motorists
Intentionally hitting another vehicle
Exiting a vehicle to confront another motorist

What to Do After a Road Rage Crash

The most important thing to do after a road rage crash is to be safe. When safe to do so, call the police to the scene and report the accident. The driver may have fled the scene. In such a case, give as much identifying information about the driver and their vehicle as you can recall, including:

A description of the driver
A description of the vehicle
The license plate number
Make, model, and color of the vehicle
The direction the driver was traveling

If you were injured, ask for an ambulance. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, including pictures of your vehicle, the other vehicle, other property damage, a wide view of the accident scene, and your injuries. Ask any witnesses for their contact information.

As soon as possible, contact a Scottsdale car accident lawyer who has experience handling road rage crashes. A lawyer can explain your legal rights, contact witnesses, request police reports, and gather evidence to help support your claim.

Compensation You Can Recover in a Road Rage Accident

If you were harmed in a car accident in Arizona, you can seek compensation for:

Medical expenses, including ambulance transportation, emergency room treatment, surgical costs, and ongoing and future care
Lost income, including lost wages for the time you missed from work while recovering you’re your injuries and any reduction in your long-term earnings
Costs to repair or replace your damaged personal property
Incidental costs, such as rental car expenses and travel expenses to medical appointments
Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress

Additionally, you may be able to recover punitive damages, which are intended to punish wrongdoers for particularly egregious behavior.

Contact a Road Rage Accident Lawyer with Stone Rose Law

If you were involved in a car accident caused by road rage, a car accident lawyer from Stone Rose Law can help. Contact us online or call us today at (480) 428-2697 to start a free case review.