Most motorists have witnessed or been the unfortunate victim of a road rage incident. While the at-fault driver may believe that they are justly acting out their anger, stress, or frustration, this conduct can be deadly. Those responsible for road rage accidents in Maine may be held liable for their negligent or reckless conduct.
The safety study by the AAA exchange reports that aggressive driving is common among drivers in the United States. They categorize aggressive or road rage as purposeful unsafe driving conducted deliberately will ill-will or disregard safety. Some common examples of road rage include:
- Speeding in dense traffic
- Tailgaiting
- Cutting other drivers off and then abruptly slowing down
- Running red lights
- Sudden lane changes without signaling
- Blocking another vehicle’s ability to pass or change lanes
At a minimum, these behaviors can impact a motorist’s ability to react to road conditions appropriately; however, at worst, it turns a raging driver’s vehicle into a deadly weapon. For instance, a news source recently described a harrowing Maine road rage incident. Police responded to the crash where they discovered a pickup truck involved in a road rage hit-and-run crash. The driver was engaged in road rage, which carried over into an incident with a second vehicle. The road-rage driver lost control of his truck and slammed into a hatchback. The hatchback driver was transported to the hospital for injuries, and the road rage driver was arrested for reckless conduct and driving to endanger.
In the absence of a police report, establishing road rage can be a tricky proposition. Even with a police report, road rage drivers often find ways to disguise their actions as anything other than rage. An attorney can assist road rage victims in establishing that their damages were the result of the other driver’s actions. Further, a lawyer can present a compelling case regarding the number of damages the road rage driver owes. Unlike many other types of personal injury cases, these attorneys can argue for enhanced damages based on the reckless or wanton conduct of the road rage driver. It is important to note that criminal road rage cases and civil road rage claims are two different processes. While criminal prosecutions can be helpful to a case, personal injury plaintiffs must still establish all of the elements of a claim.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Maine Road Rage Accident
If you or someone you know has encountered a road rage driver and suffered injuries in an accident because of their conduct, contact Peter Thompson & Associates for assistance. Our attorneys have helped countless injury victims collect damages for their losses. We handle accident cases involving Maine motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, premises liability, dog bites, medical malpractice, and more. We work with our clients to ensure that all of their damages are appropriately assessed, and they recover what they deserve. Contact our office at 800-804-2004 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney on our team. Calling is free, and because we accept all cases on a contingency basis, you won’t pay anything for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.