Road Rage Accidents

The roadways in and around the greater Bergen County area experience a high volume of traffic, and when impatient drivers encounter congested roads, it can lead to road rage. Road rage poses a risk of harm to everyone on the road and frequently causes devastating accidents that result in significant injuries. If you were injured in a road rage accident, you may be able to recover compensation from the driver who caused the crash, and you should consult an attorney to discuss what claims you may be able to assert. Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a dedicated Bergen County car accident attorney who is proficient at assisting injured parties in the pursuit of damages, and if you retain his services, he will zealously advocate on your behalf. Mr. Leopold has offices in the cities of Hackensack and New York, and he routinely represents people in cases arising out of collisions throughout Bergen County.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration characterizes road rage as a situation in which a driver engages in moving traffic violations that pose a risk to others or property. It may also involve an assault using a motor vehicle or another dangerous weapon by the driver or passenger of one vehicle against the operator or passengers of another vehicle.

Common signs of road rage include following too closely behind a vehicle, changing lanes rapidly and without the use of a turn signal, weaving in and out of traffic, and speeding. Drivers with road rage drivers often verbally attack other drivers and make obscene gestures as well.

All drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. Motorists with road rage shirk this duty, however, and employ their vehicles as instruments of harm. As such, it is not surprising that road rage frequently causes collisions, and people who sustain injuries in road rage accidents may be able to recover damages in civil lawsuits. Generally, most lawsuits arising out of car accidents set forth a negligence claim against the driver that caused the accident. In cases involving road rage, other claims may be available as well.

In New Jersey, a plaintiff asserting a theory of negligence must establish each element of negligence to prove liability. First, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. In most cases, the duty owed is the duty to act with the care that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation. Second, the plaintiff must show that the defendant acted in a way that constitutes a breach of the duty. Then, the plaintiff must show that the breach was the proximate cause of the accident.. Finally, the plaintiff must prove that they suffered actual harm due to the accident.

People injured in crashes caused by road rage may be able to recover compensation for their economic and noneconomic harm. Economic harm includes the cost of any medical treatment you underwent for your injuries, including surgeries or hospitalization, therapy, and out-of-pocket costs. It also includes any lost wages if they were either permanently or temporarily unable to work due to the injuries they sustained. Noneconomic harm is typically the pain and suffering caused by an accident. While punitive damages are recoverable in car accident cases, they are rarely awarded. In order to recover such damages, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant acted maliciously or in willful and wanton disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.

If you were injured in a road rage accident, it is advisable to consult an attorney to discuss your right to pursue damages. Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a skillful Bergen County car accident attorney with the experience and skills needed to help you seek a successful result. Mr. Leopold’s offices are located in Hackensack and New York City, and he frequently represents people in car crash cases in Bergen County and cities throughout Hudson, Passaic, and Essex Counties in New Jersey, and Bronx, Richmond, Kings, New York, Queens, and Rockland Counties in New York. You can reach him through the form online or at his New Jersey office at (201) 345-5907 or his New York office at (646) 650-2106 to arrange a free and confidential consultation.