This weekend, residents of the Valley were shocked to hear of reports of another road rage incident on Tempe’s roads, claiming the life of a young Arizona State University student and injuring several others. It has sparked a debate about road rage in Arizona as well as what rights victims of these incidents may have but the information available has not been clear.
Road rage in Arizona is defined as an assault against another individual with a vehicle or other deadly weapon. Often, road rage begins with a disagreement among motorists before escalating into something that can be physically threatening or even deadly. Typical actions that may cause road rage among motorists are tailgating, cutting off another car, failing to yield when required, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, being involved in a car accident, or using a cell phone while driving.
There is a legal distinction between road rage and aggressive driving with road rage being a more serious, and often criminal offense that can lead to incarceration, loss of a license, and fines and fees for anyone convicted.
The best thing to do to avoid a road rage incident is to act in a safe and defensive manner. While you cannot control the actions of others, you can do your part to put safety first and to limit any conduct you may exude that can lead others to become frustrated. This means avoiding distractions while driving, using turn signals, and driving with an appropriate amount of space between your vehicle and others around you.
If you feel that another driver is acting in an aggressive or threatening manner while on the roadway, do not attempt to confront that driver or to take any action to settle a dispute on your own. Instead, call the local authorities and tell them of the situation while providing any details that might be pertinent, including the make and model of the vehicle, a description of the driver, and the location where the vehicle is traveling at the time. Police and other emergency responders are trained to deal with aggressive and potentially dangerous drivers and they can take steps to neutralize any situations that may arise.
Finally, know that if you are victimized by another motorist and you are injured, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. From the medical bills you incur to the wages you missed while unable to work, the full value of your harm may be recoverable in a court of law.
To help you understand your options after a road rage car accident, the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191. We offer a case consultation without cost or obligation to all those who contact us and who have been involved in a collision and we keep everything discussed during the consultation confidential.
We have experiencing helping accident victims who were injured in the Phoenix area and if a crash affected your life, we want to help you as well. Call us now and learn about your legal options for relief.
Prior Blog Entry:
How to Yield the Right of Way and Stay Safe, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 15, 2016.