Texas Road Rage - Learn Your Rights.

Question:   How prevalent is “Road Rage” and just how serious a problem is it?

Road rage is also known as “aggressive driving.”  It’s important to note just how dangerous road rage related accidents are and how serious the resulting injuries can be.  Oftentimes, the high speed and abrupt maneuvers that occur during road rage accidents can result in serious physical injuries to the vehicle occupants.  Moreover, choosing to engage in road rage or aggressive driving, whether you are the aggressor or are retaliating, can subject you and everyone else in your vehicle to criminal violence.  A simple internet search will reveal the multitude of road rage cases in which shootings have occurred.

Given the enormity of the situation, including the devastating injuries and loss of life, it’s especially troubling that road rage accidents have been historically rising.  The statistics are grim indeed.  AAA figures indicate that over 1500 persons are either seriously injured or mortally wounded.  The trend is so alarming that many large municipalities have dedicated road rage patrols to discourage aggressive driving.

The best way to avoid becoming the next statistic is to recognize the common perils of road rage and to avoid them.  Road rage is characterized by unsafe, combative driving, and can manifest in many ways, including tailgating, speeding, rapid lane changing, failing to use turn signals, belligerently using your horn, etc.  If you find yourself stressed while driving, take a step back from the situation.  Remain calm, and do not engage in any of the above hostile and dangerous driving maneuvers.  If you find yourself on the bad side of someone else’s aggressive driving, do not retaliate or attempt to “police” the streets yourself.  Let the aggressive driver pass, and so to will the danger that driver creates.

Still, the above information is likely not of much comfort if you have already been struck by an aggressive driver.   If you’ve been injured as a result of another party’s aggressive driving, you are entitled to all of the protections of Texas law afforded to other accident victims.  This includes requiring the at fault party to compensate you for your losses including losses in personal property, medical bills, vehicle repair, and pain & suffering.  As is the case in all auto accidents, the best course of action is to seek a free consultation from an experienced personal injury trial lawyer.  Your attorney can help you choose the strategy most likely to result in your full recovery, and you attorney can evaluate special and tricky scenarios like road rage related auto accidents.