Road rage can lead to serious accidents when aggressive driving behaviours, such as tailgating, cutting off other drivers, or speeding, cause crashes. These reckless actions often result in injuries and emotional trauma.
If you have been involved in a road rage collision, an experienced Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyer can pursue the compensation you deserve. They will investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather appropriate evidence, and build a strong case to prove the other driver’s negligence or aggression.
A skilled lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court, if necessary, to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Types of Road Rage That Can Cause Accidents
Road rage is a serious issue that affects many drivers on the road, often leading to accidents and dangerous situations. It occurs when drivers become excessively angry or aggressive behind the wheel. These heightened emotions can cloud judgment, leading to risky behaviour that puts everyone on the road at risk. Here are three common examples of road rage by other drivers that can cause accidents:
Tailgating
Tailgating happens when a driver follows another vehicle too closely, often in an attempt to pressure the driver ahead to speed up or move out of the way. This aggressive behaviour is a common manifestation of road rage that is dangerous. When a driver tailgates, they reduce their own reaction time if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes or makes a quick maneuver. The close distance between vehicles makes it harder to avoid a collision, especially if the road conditions are wet or visibility is poor. A rear-end crash is almost always the result of tailgating, and it can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
Cutting Off Other Drivers
Another common sign of road rage is cutting off other drivers, which occurs when a driver suddenly swerves into another lane without signalling or without giving enough space to the car in the next lane. This move can be especially dangerous in high-speed traffic, such as on highways. The driver who is cut off may have to quickly swerve or slam on their brakes to avoid a collision, leading to a high risk of an accident. When done out of anger or impatience, cutting off another driver can trigger a chain reaction, making it more likely for multiple vehicles to become involved in a crash.
Aggressive Lane Changing
Aggressive lane changing is another dangerous behaviour associated with road rage. Some drivers become impatient when they are stuck behind slower vehicles and decide to switch lanes without regard for other cars or the speed limits. This behaviour often happens when a driver is trying to get ahead quickly or is frustrated with traffic. Not only can this type of driving create sudden obstacles for other drivers, but it can also result in a loss of control, especially if the road is congested or if the driver does not have enough space to safely move into another lane. Crashes due to reckless lane changes can involve multiple vehicles, leading to serious damage and injury.
Injuries That Victims of Road Rage Accidents Frequently Suffer
Road rage crashes can result in serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries for the victims involved. When drivers let their emotions take control behind the wheel, they often make dangerous decisions that lead to collisions. Depending on the severity of the accident, victims may suffer from a variety of injuries, some of which can have long-lasting effects. Below are some of the most common physical injuries that victims of road rage accidents may experience:
- Whiplash – Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in car accidents, especially rear-end collisions, which often result from tailgating or sudden braking in road rage situations. Whiplash occurs when the head jerks forward and backward quickly, straining the neck and upper back. Victims may experience pain, stiffness, dizziness, and headaches. While whiplash is often considered a soft tissue injury, it can be debilitating and may require extensive physical therapy to recover.
- Broken Bones – In more severe accidents, victims may suffer broken bones due to the force of the collision. Fractures can occur in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis, and in some cases, the spine may be injured as well. Broken bones often require immediate medical treatment, and recovery can involve surgery, casts, or braces. In severe cases, broken bones can lead to long-term disability and a lengthy recovery period, affecting a person’s ability to work and carry out daily activities.
- Head and Brain Injuries – Head and brain injuries are particularly dangerous because they can have lasting effects on a person’s cognitive and physical abilities. Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common in accidents involving high speeds or severe impacts. A concussion can lead to headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems. In more severe cases, a TBI can result in long-term disabilities, including impaired motor skills, difficulty speaking, or even permanent brain damage.
- Chest and Abdominal Injuries – Victims involved in high-impact road rage accidents may suffer injuries to the chest and abdomen. Airbags can cause bruising, broken ribs, or internal injuries, while the force of the collision can also damage organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen. Internal bleeding from these injuries can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Beyond physical injuries, many victims of road rage collisions also experience emotional and psychological trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common following such incidents, especially if the victim was involved in a particularly violent crash. These psychological injuries can be just as debilitating as physical ones and may require counselling or therapy to overcome them.
Proving That Road Rage Caused Your Accident
Proving that road rage was the cause of an accident and the resulting injuries can be a complicated legal process. To successfully make a claim, it’s essential to gather strong evidence and establish a clear link between the other driver’s aggressive behaviour and the crash. Here are some key steps to help prove that road rage caused your accident and injuries:
Document the Incident Thoroughly
The first step in proving that road rage caused an accident is to gather as much documentation as possible, including photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, and any relevant road conditions. Contact details from any witnesses are also important, as their testimony can be crucial in proving aggressive driving behaviours. You should also write down everything you remember about the other driver’s actions, such as tailgating, sudden lane changes, or speeding.
Gather Police Reports
Following an accident, law enforcement typically arrives on the scene and files a report. The police report will often contain important details, such as whether the other driver was cited for traffic violations like reckless driving or speeding. A citation for road rage-related offences can serve as strong evidence in proving that the other driver’s behaviour contributed to the accident. If the police officer observed the driver’s aggressive actions, they may include this information in the report, further supporting your case.
Obtain Dashcam or Traffic Camera Footage
If either you or the other driver had a dashcam, this footage could provide valuable evidence of road rage behaviour. Dashcam videos can show aggressive actions like tailgating, swerving between lanes, or brake-checking. In some cases, traffic cameras or surveillance footage from nearby businesses may capture the incident, providing additional proof of the driver’s dangerous behaviour.
Obtain Witness Testimony
Witnesses can play a critical role in proving road rage. If there were other drivers or pedestrians who saw the incident unfold, these independent witnesses could help corroborate your version of events, particularly if they observed the other driver’s aggressive actions. In some cases, their statements can be more convincing than relying solely on your own account.
Provide Medical Records
It’s also important to have medical documentation of your injuries. Medical records can show the extent of the damage the accident caused and establish that your injuries are directly related to the crash. If your injuries are consistent with the type of collision that road rage can cause (e.g., whiplash, head trauma, broken bones), this documentation can help support your claim.
Engage Expert Testimony
In some cases, accident reconstruction experts may be needed to analyze the crash and determine how the other driver’s aggressive behaviour contributed to the collision. These experts can recreate the accident, providing scientific and technical evidence to support your claim.
By thoroughly investigating the incident and demonstrating the connection between the other driver’s aggressive actions and your injuries, you can build a strong case for compensation.
Types of Damages That Victims of Road Rage Accidents May Recover
Victims of road rage accidents may be eligible to recover compensation for the various losses they suffer. This compensation is meant to help victims recover financially and emotionally from the consequences of an accident resulting from road rage. Examples of compensable damages include the following:
- Pain and Suffering – Pain and suffering is one of the most common types of non-economic damages in personal injury cases, including road rage accidents. Compensation for this loss is designed to compensate victims for the physical pain and emotional distress they experience as a result of their injuries. Pain and suffering can cover a wide range of physical discomfort, such as chronic pain from broken bones, neck injuries, or back issues. It also includes emotional suffering like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, which may result from the traumatic experience of the accident.
The amount of compensation for pain and suffering depends on the severity of the injuries and their long-term effects on the victim’s life. For example, if the injuries lead to permanent disability or a significant decrease in quality of life, the victim may receive a larger payout.
- Lost income and Loss of Earning Capacity – If a victim is unable to work due to injuries sustained in a road rage accident, they may be entitled to compensation for lost income. This compensation includes the income the victim would have earned had they not suffered an injury, whether it’s from paid time off or lost hours of work. In cases where the injuries are severe enough to prevent the victim from returning to their previous job or working at all, they may also be eligible for compensation for loss of earning capacity. Compensation for this loss accounts for the long-term repercussions on the victim’s ability to earn income in the future.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – In some cases, road rage accidents can cause injuries that prevent a person from participating in activities they once enjoyed, which is known as “loss of enjoyment of life.” For example, someone who enjoys hiking, playing sports, or spending time with family may be unable to participate in these activities because of permanent injuries. Compensation for loss of life enjoyment helps victims recover from the emotional and psychological toll of no longer being able to enjoy their previous lifestyle.
- Emotional Distress – Emotional distress is another form of non-economic damage available to victims of road anxiety, depression, fear, and other emotional effects the accident caused. In some cases, the psychological effect of the accident may be just as severe as physical injuries, and victims may receive compensation to address these emotional consequences.
- Punitive Damages – In certain cases, especially when the other driver’s road rage was particularly reckless or malicious, the victim may be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are not meant to compensate the victim directly but are instead designed to punish the at-fault driver and deter others from engaging in similar behaviour. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, and they can significantly increase the amount of compensation a victim receives.
By pursuing compensation for these various types of losses, victims can begin to recover from the financial, emotional, and physical toll of their accident.
Speak with an Experienced Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
If you sustained injuries in a recent traffic collision due to someone else’s road rage, a knowledgeable Edmonton personal injury lawyer can help. Your lawyer will swiftly investigate the accident circumstances, pursue a claim on your behalf, or litigate your case in court to secure the compensation you deserve.
