Are You a Victim of Road Rage?

When the pressures of life boil over on the roadways, it can lead to aggressive confrontations among drivers. Although not all cases constitute road rage, aggressive driving often leads to situations that escalate and can turn deadly. While this may sound extreme, it is not outlandish; in fact, being the victim of road rage can be life-threatening. If you find yourself in a situation where another driver has caused harm to you, it is important to evaluate whether the incident was, in fact, road rage.

What Is the Difference Between Aggressive Driving and Road Rage?

Road rage is a motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually expressed in aggressive or violent behavior, according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary. Meanwhile, aggressive driving is defined as unsafe driving behaviors that are performed with no regard for the safety of other drivers.
Such behaviors include:

• Speeding
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Changing lanes without signaling
• Driving on unmarked shoulders
• Brake checking nearby vehicles

While these behaviors alone would likely amount to a traffic violation and a ticket or other penalty, road rage takes it to the next level when individuals are threatened either physically or verbally. Those engaging in road rage may attempt to force a driver to pull over to settle a dispute with a physical altercation or simply make obscene hand gestures. However, in extreme cases, the road rager may use their vehicle to cause a rear-end accident, sideswipe the other vehicle, or ram another vehicle. He or she may also throw objects at another vehicle, such as rocks, bricks, or whatever is accessible in their car. In other cases, the driver may force another off the road.

What Is Jessica’s Law?

In these instances, an individual found guilty of road rage is considered a third-degree offense punishable by three to five years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines thanks to Jessica’s Law, which was signed into law in New Jersey in 2015. Named after 16-year-old former Hamilton resident Jessica Rogers, the law was created after the teenager was involved in a road rage accident in which a driver chased down the vehicle in which she was a passenger and forced the vehicle into a telephone pole. Rogers was permanently paralyzed from the waist down because the other driver was cut off in traffic. The driver received a four-month jail sentence and set free. Rogers pushed for stiffer penalties for such offenses.

What Should I Do in a Road Rage Situation?

So, what should you do if you find yourself in a situation that appears to be escalating into road rage? Start by slowing down and letting the enraged driver pass. Do not make eye contact or attempt to validate the individual’s actions, as this may only exacerbate the situation. If possible, pull off the road and put some distance between the angry driver and yourself. Also, try to get a license plate number and other distinguishing characteristics about the car and/or the driver.

Next, call the police for assistance. File a police report and provide as much information as possible in case the individual returns or attempts to relocate you at a different time or place. If there are any witnesses, attempt to secure their contact information if they are willing to make a statement. If a road rage driver follows you while you are attempting to flee, do not exit your vehicle. Instead, remain inside and wait for police assistance. If you are involved in an accident, do not exit your vehicle. Rather, lock the doors and wait for authorities to arrive.

Talk to the Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at D’Amato Law Firm

The consequences of road rage are real. If you have been confronted by an aggressive driver who has caused damage to your vehicle or harm to you, then you have the right to seek compensation. Get advice from the Atlantic City car accident lawyers at D’Amato Law Firm by calling 609-926-3300 or filling out our online form for a free consultation. Our office is located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and we proudly serve clients in Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, Woodbury, and South Jersey.