Many drivers on today’s roads experience intense frustration and aggressive behavior, known as road rage. It’s also not uncommon for drivers to engage in behaviors such as using obscene gestures, yelling loudly, and using their car’s horns to express their displeasure with another’s driving.
Other drivers choose to vent their frustration in different, more dangerous ways. This includes closely following other drivers, switching lanes quickly and without signaling, and making aggressive motions toward other motorists. These actions are not only frightening for others, but they can easily lead to a collision.
Here is what you need to know about the legalities surrounding aggressive driving in Florida.
How Road Rage Accidents Differ From Typical Car Wrecks
Car accident lawyers who represent those hurt in traditional car accident lawsuits must show the at-fault driver caused the crash through negligent driving. Driving is considered negligent if a reasonable driver facing a similar situation would not have done what the at-fault driver did.
When a driver is accused of being negligent, it is another way of saying that the driver was careless. There is no requirement to prove that the at-fault driver intended to cause the accident or knew it was likely that an accident would have occurred as a result of their behavior.
However, when drivers engage in road rage, they are not just being careless. Often, they intentionally engage in actions that hurt others. At the very least, those drivers who act out on impulses of road rage do so with an awareness that such behaviors are dangerous and likely to cause a crash.
Legal Remedies for Road Rage Victims
Just as drivers can be held civilly responsible for their careless acts, reckless and intentional actions also create civil liability. Drivers who engage in road rage and who harm others can find themselves owing compensation to those whom they hurt through aggressive driving.
A car accident lawyer can help you file a claim against the driver who caused you harm through aggressive driving. In these cases, Florida allows you to potentially receive three types of damages:
Compensatory Damages
A car accident can leave you suffering from injuries like broken bones, lacerations, and head and neck injuries. Treating these injuries takes a financial toll, with medical bills and time missed from work can quickly add up. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, can require ongoing care for months or years after the injury accident.
All of these expenses can be addressed through compensatory damages. If you have already incurred an expense, compensatory damages can reimburse you for that expense. If you have not yet faced expenses but it is reasonably likely that you will in the future, you can seek financial damages for those costs as well.
Non-Economic Damages
Being the victim of road rage can cause you to experience mental and emotional distress. Not only does having to endure pain from your injuries impact your quality of life, but the violent and aggressive nature of road rage incidents can also leave you with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and other mental health complications.
As a result, the mental and emotional harm you experience might justify more damages than a traditional negligence-based car accident case.
Punitive Damages
One unique form of damages that may be available in road rage cases is punitive damages. These damages exist to punish bad behavior and egregious conduct and, as a result, are not available when the at-fault driver only acted negligently.
Unlike the other two forms of damages, punitive damages are not designed to compensate you for any particular loss. Instead, the purpose of punitive damages is to deter the aggressive driver and others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
Punitive damages could potentially double the total amount of compensation you receive for your road rage-related injuries.
Turn to Schrier Law Group to Learn More About Your Rights
Road rage can cause catastrophic injuries that require treatment and care for years to come. This care may leave your family with mounting medical bills and a significant amount of emotional and mental stress. Fortunately, under Florida law, there are remedies available that can ensure you don’t shoulder these burdens alone.
An experienced car accident lawyer at Schrier Law Group can fight to protect your rights and recover the compensation you and your family need to move forward after a road rage incident. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a skilled Florida car accident lawyer today.
