It is not uncommon for motorists on Seattle roads to get angry while operating a vehicle. In fact, road rage is a common phenomenon not only in Seattle but also in other cities in Washington state. Drivers get angry while driving for various reasons. Some get mad at traffic jams, while others are simply having a really bad day (because they were fired, got divorced, had a fight with their spouse, etc.).
“Regardless of why a driver lost his or her temper while driving, aggressive driving is a violation of traffic laws and may endanger the lives of other people on the road,” says a Seattle road rage accident attorney at Russell & Hill, PLLC.
If a driver causes a car accident while in a fit of road rage, that driver should be held responsible for any resulting injuries and damages. Victims of road rage accidents are often reluctant to confront an at-fault driver who is clearly aggressive simply because they do not want that driver to get even more aggressive and hurt them.
This mindset will not help you recover damages after a car accident caused by road rage. Although you should be concerned about your safety, you also need to think about your own interests, and know that the law is always on your side. Do not be afraid to write down the aggressive driver’s contact and insurance information in order to initiate the process of seeking compensation for your damages and losses, and gather other valuable pieces of evidence at the scene.
“Okay, makes sense, so I am entitled to pursue reimbursement for damages caused by an aggressive driver, but what constitutes road rage?” you may be wondering. That’s a good one. Our experienced road rage accident attorney in Seattle says that all of the following behaviors can fall under the category of “road rage” and “aggressive driving,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
The above-mentioned behaviors are considered examples of road rage. Recovering damages after a car accident caused by an aggressive driver will differ from the process of seeking compensation for damages caused by a negligent or careless driver.
That’s because road rage can be described as an intentional sequence of dangerous behaviors and habits that endanger not only the target of the aggressive driver but also other motorists on the road. While many of you might think that road rage is a rather rare phenomenon, that is not necessarily true.
In fact, the risk of encountering an aggressive driver is much higher than you might think. A study by the Automobile Association found that a staggering 9 out of 10 drivers admitted to having experienced road rage at least once in their lifetime, while six out of 10 admitted to having lost their temper while operating a vehicle.
While the aggressive driver’s fault for causing a road rage accident may seem obvious, you still have to demonstrate evidence that the motorist breached his or her duty of reasonable care and that this breach of duty resulted in your injury and any damages or losses. A Seattle aggressive driving accident lawyer at Russell & Hill, PLLC, can help you collect sufficient evidence proving that the driver’s use of foul language, obscene gestures, tailgating, honking, cutting you off or any other dangerous behavior is seen as unreasonable and constitutes a breach of the duty of care. Call our lawyers at 206-516-2045 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your situation.
