Road Rage Drivers and Collision Compensation
More than just aggressive driving, road rage is a serious issue that can lead to devastating accidents. When drivers let their emotions get the best of them, they often make reckless decisions that put everyone on the road at risk.
Because I’ve been a New Orleans personal injury lawyer for years, I understand the expenses that can follow road rage incidents. If you’ve been involved in a collision caused by a reckless driver, reach out so we can discuss the possibility of you pursuing compensation and pressing criminal charges.
What Is Road Rage in Louisiana?
Beyond typical traffic violations like speeding or tailgating, road rage involves hostile, aggressive actions intended to intimidate, threaten, or harm other drivers. This can include behaviors like:
- Excessive honking
- Yelling or gesturing angrily
- Tailgating aggressively
- Cutting off other drivers
- Swerving or driving erratically to scare another driver
- Deliberately causing a collision
When road rage leads to an accident, it is a serious legal matter. Louisiana law doesn’t take these incidents lightly, and aggressive drivers can face both civil and criminal consequences for their actions.
Dangerous driving increases the likelihood of an accident. For example, a driver who’s tailgating out of anger might not be able to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the car in front of them. Similarly, a driver who aggressively swerves in and out of traffic might lose control of their vehicle and cause a multi-car pileup.
In many cases, road rage drivers are distracted by their anger. They focus more on retaliating against the other driver than they do on the road itself, leading to poor judgment and split-second decisions that cause collisions.
Can I Access Financial Relief?
You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages when another was reckless. I’ll work to gather evidence that shows the other driver’s aggressive behavior was the primary cause of the collision. For instance, statements from bystanders who saw the driver’s aggressive actions can help build a strong case. Additionally, dashcam footage or traffic camera footage can provide visual proof of the road rage that led to your accident.
On top of pursuing a personal injury claim, you may also be able to press criminal charges against the driver responsible for the road rage. In Louisiana, aggressive driving behaviors that result in an accident can lead to criminal penalties, such as fines or jail time, for the at-fault driver. Depending on the severity of the road rage and the injuries caused, the driver may face charges like reckless driving or even assault with a vehicle.
As your New Orleans personal injury lawyer, I can help you navigate the criminal justice process while still focusing on your personal injury claim. Holding the aggressive driver responsible for their criminal actions can also strengthen your civil case, helping to demonstrate their reckless disregard for others’ safety.
Have you been wondering how to hold a road rage driver accountable for your losses? After a road rage accident in New Orleans, Metairie or Gretna, call 504-433-1442 to schedule a consultation. All of us at Palazzo Law Firm are ready to help.
