Road Rage Is a Problem That Can Lead to Severe Injuries and Even Death. Victims in New Jersey May be Entitled to Financial Damages.
Most of us have encountered or witnessed some form of road rage when a nearby driver seems to take out their anger and frustration on another driver or multiple drivers around them through aggressive and emotionally-charged driving behaviors. These drivers may speed at excessive rates to cut off another car, weaving in and out of traffic, or drive dangerously close to another vehicle.
Road rage driving behaviors can be incredibly dangerous, leading to serious injuries to other drivers and passengers, significant property damage, and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a road rage accident in New Jersey, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and the driver responsible for your injuries may face criminal charges in addition to civil liability. Our team of skilled and experienced personal injury lawyers has helped countless injured victims recover the damages caused by motor vehicle accidents, and we would be honored to help you do the same. Please contact us today at (732) 303-7857 for a complimentary consultation and review of your case.
Road Rage and Its Serious Legal Ramifications in NJ
The legal consequences for a driver engaged in road rage-fueled driving behaviors depend on their exact actions and the damages caused directly by their actions. Road rage can lead to a civil judgment against the driver for injuries and property damage resulting from their driving behavior in a personal injury case brought by the victim or their family.
Typically, road rage behaviors involve at least a few different traffic violations, such as speeding, not yielding to signs, and running through red lights. Beyond these traffic violations, the driver may also face potential criminal charges for road rage accidents. If the driver operates the vehicle recklessly with a knowing disregard for the safety of others, resulting in serious bodily injury to another person, they may face charges for third degree assault by auto. If convicted, this offense carries penalties of 3 to 4 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
If the same actions result in bodily injury (rather than serious bodily injury), the driver may be charged with fourth degree assault by auto, which carries a potential sentence of up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Aggressive Driving is Not Necessarily Road Rage
The terms “road rage” and “aggressive driving” are often used synonymously. However, it is important to note that while road rage may manifest as aggressive driving, not every instance of it is motivated by road rage. Aggressive driving may involve speeding and some risk taking driving behaviors that are not motivated or influenced by anger or frustration toward another driver on the road.
For example, an individual may drive aggressively when they are late to get to their destination or eager to seek emergency medical treatment. A husband driving aggressively to bring his wife to the hospital when she is in labor might exceed the speed limit and fail to come to a complete stop at each stop sign they meet. That does not necessarily mean he is experiencing road rage, as the aggressive driving behaviors are not directed towards another driver or based on anger.
So, it is fair to say that all or most incidents of road rage involve aggressive driving, but not all aggressive driving behaviors are rooted in road rage. Regardless, when a person operates a motor vehicle in an unsafe or negligent manner, they may be liable for any injuries or property damage that result from their actions, regardless of their emotional state or motivation.
Physical Injuries Resulting from Road Rage Accidents
By the very nature of road rage accidents, at least one of the vehicles involved is typically driving at a high rate of speed and/or in a very reckless and aggressive manner. Accordingly and very unfortunately, road rage accidents can result in serious and life-altering injuries. They can also cause fatalities.
Some of the most common injuries suffered in a road rage accident are spinal injuries and head injuries. These are also typically the most serious and potentially life-altering types of injuries. Spinal injuries, depending on their location and severity, can result in the death of a victim or permanent paralyzation. Head injuries, particularly those suffered through high-impact by a victim’s head hitting the windshield or a victim being ejected from a vehicle, can lead to traumatic brain injuries and death.
Can You Sue the Driver if You are Injured in a Road Rage Accident in New Jersey?
Any individual who is injured as a result of another driver’s negligence is entitled to compensation for injuries they suffer as a direct result of that negligence. When road rage results in behaviors that deviate from safe driving practices or the way that a reasonably prudent person would drive in those circumstances, the driver has breached their legal duty to drive safely and/or obey traffic laws.
If a passenger of the negligent driver’s vehicle or a driver or passenger of another vehicle is injured in an accident resulting from the negligent driver’s road rage, they must be able to prove that the driver failed to act as a reasonably prudent driver under the circumstances and that the driver’s actions directly caused their injuries.
Speak with Jersey Shore Road Rage Lawyers About Collecting Damages for Your Injuries
If you have been injured as a result of a road rage-fueled driver, you have a right to be made whole. Your medical bills lost wages from time spent off from work, and your injuries themselves are all damages that you may be entitled to compensation for by the negligent or reckless driver who caused your injuries. Our accomplished personal injury lawyers assist injured victims and their families in Red Bank, Neptune, Beach Haven, Lacey, Eatontown, Bayhead, Ocean Township, Belmar, Sea Bright, Howell, Holmdel, and towns in and around Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Call (732) 303-7857 to speak with an attorney regarding your road rage accident claim and how our legal team can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
