Road Rage Accidents

According to statistics compiled by Safemotorist.com from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Auto Vantage auto club, a full two-thirds of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving. On top of that, over a third of all aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm where one of the drivers gets fatally injured. When another driver engages in road rage, they may collide with your vehicle, pull in front of you and slam on the brakes, or force you off the road or into another vehicle. All of these dangerous actions can lead to serious injury or death. In Atlanta and other high-traffic cities, road rages incidents are very common simply because of the large number of vehicles on the road. Road rage incidents occur especially frequently during the rush hour time in Atlanta due to the stressful nature of driving in high-traffic, congested roads.

Georgia Laws on Aggressive Driving

Georgia law defines aggressive driving (commonly known as road rage) as having the intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person, while doing one or more of the following:

• Overtaking and passing another vehicle
• Violating traffic lane markings
• Following too closely
• Violating signal, lane change, slowing or stopping laws
• Impeding traffic flows
• Reckless driving

Aggressive driving in Georgia is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. This means a person convicted of aggressive driving can be punished with a fine up to $5,000 and up to 12 months in jail.

How to Avoid Being the Victim of Road Rage

According to statistics compiled on road rage incidences, half of all drivers who are on the receiving end of aggressive behavior respond with aggressive behavior in kind. Such a situation can quickly escalate out of control. If you find that another driver is behaving aggressively towards you, whether by shouting or making rude gestures, honking the horn, or driving in an aggressive and threatening manner, do not respond by engaging in he same behavior. Try to give the other driver his space and avoid making eye contact. It is best to not interact with the other driver at all. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that the other driver may just be having a bad day. In most cases the incident will end there. If the driver continues to threaten or harass you and you fear for your safety, call 9-1-1 or drive into your local police station. Do not get out of your car and confront the person.

What to Do if You are Injured in a Road Rage Accident

It is not only negligent driving that causes accidents. A driver who causes an accident by aggressive or reckless driving or other intentional behavior can also be liable for the injuries and damages caused. If you have been injured in a road rage accident, either because you were struck directly by the other vehicle, or because the other driver’s aggressive behavior forced you into an accident, talk to an experienced vehicle accident attorney about getting compensation for your injuries. In Georgia and the southeastern U.S., call the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers at (404) 460-0101 or (404) 460-0101, or contact us online for a free initial consultation.