Nearly every driver has encountered an aggressive driver – someone tailgating inches from their bumper, weaving through traffic at high speed, or leaning on the horn for seemingly no reason. Most of these encounters end without harm. But when road rage escalates into a collision, the crashes tend to be severe.
Missouri law gives people injured by aggressive drivers the right to pursue compensation, and in some road rage cases, the law allows more than an ordinary claim would.
Contact a car accident attorney in St. Louis to get the compensation you deserve.
Call (314) 300-6260 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Considered Road Rage?
Road rage covers a range of dangerous conduct, from reckless impatience to deliberate aggression. Common examples include:
- Aggressive speeding, especially weaving through traffic
- Tailgating to intimidate the driver ahead
- Brake checking, which is slamming the brakes to punish a following driver
- Unsafe lane changes and cutting other vehicles off
- Blocking another vehicle from merging, passing, or exiting
- Threatening gestures or intentionally ramming another car
These behaviors all point to a driver who has stopped prioritizing the safety of themselves and the others around them.
In some cases, road rage may also be worsened by drug impairment, which can further affect a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to safely operate a vehicle.
Whether the conduct is reckless or fully intentional, it puts everyone nearby at risk.
Common Injuries Caused by Road Rage Accidents
Because road rage crashes often happen at high speeds or involve deliberate contact, the injuries tend to be significant. Victims frequently suffer:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Emotional trauma
If you’re dealing with any of these injuries as a result of someone else’s road rage, it’s important to talk to a lawyer so you can try to recover compensation for your losses.
Can You Recover Compensation After a Road Rage Crash?
Yes, generally in the same way you would for any other crash. An aggressive driver who causes a collision is most likely negligent at minimum, and Missouri law allows victims to recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Punitive Damages May Be Available
Road rage cases have a distinctive feature. When the driver’s conduct was intentional or showed reckless disregard for others’ safety, punitive damages may be available on top of ordinary compensation. These damages punish the wrongdoer rather than just compensating the victim, and deliberately dangerous driving is one of the clearer situations where courts consider them.
If an aggressive driver injured you in Missouri, speak with a personal injury attorney in St. Louis promptly.
What Should You Do After a Road Rage Accident?
The moments after a road rage crash are different from an ordinary accident in one major way; the other driver may still be angry. Your steps should protect your safety first, then your claim.
- Call 911 immediately, especially if the other driver is acting aggressively. Police presence protects you and creates the official record of what happened.
- Do not confront the other driver or engage further. Stay in your vehicle if the situation feels unsafe, keep your doors locked, and let the police handle the interaction.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the damage, and the accident scene, but only if it’s safe to do so.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks injuries, so you might not think you’re injured. Seeking help quickly can tie any injuries to the accident.
- Preserve any dashcam footage from your vehicle right away, before it’s overwritten. In a road rage case, that video can prove the aggression and show what really happened.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before giving a recorded statement to the insurance company. What you say in that statement can shape your entire claim, and an attorney makes sure it helps rather than hurts.
If an aggressive driver caused your crash, you don’t have to sort out what comes next on your own. Contact our office today for a free consultation, and let us handle the insurance company while you focus on recovering.