Road rage is a serious problem and can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. When motorists act out of anger when behind the wheel, catastrophic crashes occur, and innocent people end up getting hurt or, even worse, killed. Tragically, Atlanta drivers rank among the most aggressive drivers in the country.
Reckless and aggressive drivers who cause road rage accidents in Atlanta can be held accountable for damages, including medical expenses, mental anguish, and lost wages. The Atlanta road rage car accident attorneys at Fry | Goehring understand how suddenly and dramatically another driver’s aggressive or violent actions can change your life. We’re here to help you and your family get justice.
The Legal Definition and Consequences of Road Rage
There’s aggressive driving, and then there is road rage. Typically, aggressive driving occurs when a driver operates a vehicle in a manner that endangers other people or property. Aggressive driving escalates to road rage when an individual operates a motor vehicle in a bold, selfish, and pushy manner that not only endangers other people and property but also involves assault with a motor vehicle or other weapon. Examples include:
- Hurling verbal insults
- Making physical threats
- Driving recklessly in an attempt to intimidate other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians
- Physical altercations between drivers
- Cutting off other vehicles
- Excessive honking or screaming at other drivers
- Aggressive tailgating
- Braking aggressively in front of another vehicle
- Chasing another car or running it off the road
- Deliberately ramming a vehicle
The Consequences of Road Rage
Road rage is a criminal offense in Georgia, and drivers found guilty of road rage could face criminal convictions. Road rage puts all road users, from pedestrians to motorcyclists, at risk of being involved in catastrophic auto accidents and suffering severe injuries.
Below are some of the consequences of road rage in Georgia:
- Auto accident injuries and fatalities. Road rage incidents often result in severe injuries to drivers, passengers, and everyone involved; they can also result in tragic loss of life.
- Property damage. Aggressive driving can lead to catastrophic collisions that result in significant property damage, including the vehicles involved and surrounding buildings and fixtures.
- Legal repercussions for the at-fault driver. Drivers engaged in road rage may face criminal charges such as assault, reckless driving, or even vehicular manslaughter or negligent homicide if a person dies in the crash.
Victims’ Rights and Compensation for Road Rage Incidents
Most drivers can relate to feeling frustrated, upset, and angry while behind the wheel. However, all drivers have a legal duty to drive safely and conscientiously, regardless of their feelings. Aggressive drivers who shirk this fundamental duty and operate motor vehicles without regard for other road users’ safety or rights should be held accountable if they cause Atlanta road rage accidents.
Road rage accident victims in Atlanta may qualify to collect compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from taking time off work
- Disability costs
- Property damage repair or replacement costs
- Lost earning potential
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death caused by a road rage accident
Due to Atlanta road rage accidents involving the at-fault driver’s intentionally reckless and harmful conduct, road rage victims may recover punitive damages. These damages go beyond losses related to the accident and serve to punish the at-fault parties and dissuade similar behavior in the future.
The Personal Injury Claim Process in Georgia
Georgia’s personal injury claim process can be complex, particularly in cases involving road rage accidents. It is essential to understand the steps involved in the process, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies to seeking fair compensation for your damages.
Initial Consultation With an Attorney
The first step towards initiating a personal injury claim is to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney. During this initial consultation, a skilled Fry | Goehring personal injury attorney will objectively assess the details of the road rage accident and provide legal advice regarding your rights and options.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Our experienced Atlanta road rage accident attorneys at Fry | Goehring will thoroughly investigate your case and gather all necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage, to build a compelling case for you.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Our attorneys are experienced and aggressive negotiators and will work diligently to collect enough evidence to build an air-tight case and fight for fair compensation for the damages and injuries you have suffered as a result of a road rage accident. We never settle for less than what you deserve. If necessary, our trial-tested attorneys will take your case to trial.
Proving Liability in Road Rage-Related Personal Injury Cases
Proving liability in road rage-related personal injury cases is an essential step if you or a loved one are seeking compensation for damages. Establishing liability involves demonstrating that the at-fault party’s aggressive driving behavior caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Here are some crucial pieces of evidence your personal injury accident lawyer can collect to prove liability in an Atlanta road rage accident:
- Eyewitness testimony. Eyewitnesses who observed the road rage incident can testify to the events leading up to the accident. Their accounts can help establish the at-fault driver’s aggressive behavior.
- Police report. Law enforcement officers who respond to the accident scene will document their observations and findings in a police report. The report often includes details about the road rage accident, statements from witnesses, and any citations issued to the at-fault driver.
- Surveillance footage. Surveillance cameras installed at intersections, businesses, or nearby properties may capture footage of the road rage incident and subsequent collision. The video evidence can be compelling in proving liability and illustrating the at-fault driver’s aggressive actions.
- Dashcam recordings. Dashcams mounted in vehicles involved in the road rage accident may record video footage of the incident and collision. The footage can provide valuable insights into the series of events and help corroborate witness testimony.
- Expert testimonies. An accident reconstruction expert can analyze the evidence and reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. Their testimony can help establish how the road rage incident contributed to the accident and determine liability.
- Behavioral evidence. Evidence of the at-fault driver’s aggressive behavior leading up to the accident, such as prior incidents of road rage or aggressive driving citations, can also be used to establish liability.
Partner With Our Atlanta Road Rage Accident Attorneys Today
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Fry | Goehring are here to provide you with the legal assistance and support you need after a road rage accident. Our car accident attorneys have experience helping road rage accident victims in Atlanta, and we’re ready to hear about your case, too.Contact Fry | Goehring today or call our Atlanta car accident lawyers at 404-969-1284 for a free consultation after a road rage accident.
