Do you speed up when a traffic light turns yellow or when someone is trying to merge or pass you at the last second? Do you honk the horn when someone does not immediately “take off” when a light turns green? Do you ride the bumper of vehicles traveling in the left lane moving slower than you want to travel and the driver refuses to move to the right lane to let you pass? Do you frequently yell at other drivers who you believe do not know how to drive “correctly?”
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be an aggressive driver at risk for road rage and a car accident.
New Orleans No Stranger To Road Rage
Road rage is rampant throughout the United States and New Orleans is no exception. NoLA has its share of road rage incidents each year. Earlier this summer, an incident of road rage resulted in a driver being shot on I-10 and on October 15, a pedestrian in New Orleans was attacked and he is now paralyzed in another road rage incident.
What is Road Rage?
In addition to personal attacks, aggressive driving results in drivers taking more risks on the road that result in serious car crashes involving traumatic bodily injury or death. According to the American Psychological Association, studies show that aggressive drivers:
- Have hostile and aggressive thinking;
- Take more risks while driving;
- Become angry and aggressive quickly;
- Are anxious and impulsive; and,
- Are involved in more car crashes
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA discussed aggressive driving with various law enforcement and judiciary officials. After these discussions, the NHTSA defined aggressive driving as "an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property." It seems clear that road rage and aggressive driving increases your risk of being involved in car crashes.
Car Crashes and Road Rage
Aggressive drivers who cause car crashes can be held liable for damages resulting from the accident. The victims of road rage suffer physical, emotional, and financial damages that are not their fault. The at-fault driver who chooses to driver aggressively is negligent in causing the accident; therefore, this driver should bear the burden of the victim’s damages.
In most car crashes, this is accomplished by the driver’s insurance companying paying the victim for damages including but not limited to:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses (in the event of a fatality)
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
Let Us Fight The Insurance Company On Your Behalf
Insurance companies for aggressive drivers can be difficult to deal with because they want to pay the least amount possible for your claim. Negotiating directly with the insurance company usually results in receiving a lower settlement amount. An experienced NoLA car accident attorney understands how to value your claim to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible. Put our experience to work for you to get the money you deserve, while you concentrate on healing from your injuries.
Have You Been Injured In A NoLA Car Accident?
The personal injury lawyers of The Olinde Firm want to help you and your family receive the compensation you deserve if you are in a vehicle accident in New Orleans. A simple car accident is a serious matter that requires a serious accident attorney. Our experienced car accident attorneys provide personalized service to each of our clients. We are not a “personal injury mill” where you case will be passed off to an associate or paralegal. Our attorneys take your personal injury claim seriously as they fight to get you the maximum compensation allowable under the law.
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation. We answer your questions regarding your automobile accident claim without charging you so you can have all of the facts to make an informed decision how to proceed.