Road rage unnecessarily puts innocent people at risk while driving. People who cause accidents due to road rage should be held accountable for their actions. If you or your loved one has been hurt in a road rage accident, we can help. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates, P.C., our reputable Massachusetts car accident attorneys are committed to helping our clients recover the compensation they are rightfully owed for their injuries and losses.
An incident of road rage in Massachusetts left a 65-year-old man clinging to the hood of an SUV racing down a highway last week. It started as a minor sideswipe and the driver of the SUV was allegedly unwilling to settle the matter with the elderly man and decided to speed off. Before he could get away though, the older man jumped onto the hood of the SUV and held on as the SUV driver drove down the turnpike accelerating, at times, up to 70 mph at time and then decelerating. The SUV driver was stopped by others on the road, one person going so far as to point a gun at the SUV driver in an effort to get him to stop the car. Both men were arrested, the SUV driver for assault with a dangerous weapon, negligent operation and leaving the scene of a crash while the 65-year-old man faces a disorderly conduct charge.
What is Road Rage?
Road rage is a term used to describe aggressive, sometimes violent tendencies that drivers may exhibit behind the wheel. In some cases, road rage leads to an altercation between two drivers and, in other cases, it can lead to terrible accidents. Common examples of road rage include but are not limited to:
- Tailgating;
- Sudden braking or accelerating;
- Cutting of other vehicles;
- Rude gestures or physical threats;
- Excessive use or horns or lights;
- Running a red light or stop sign.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Road Rage Accident
If you have been injured in an accident caused by road rage, you can likely file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. The majority of road rage accident claims are rooted in the legal theory of negligence. Negligence is a civil wrong that occurs when one party fails to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel. Reasonable care refers to the level of care that a prudent person would use under the same or similar circumstances. In order to win a negligence claim, a plaintiff must prove the following: i) the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff; ii) the defendant breached the duty of care to the plaintiff by engaging in aggressive conduct behind the wheel; and iii) the defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the accident and the plaintiff’s resulting harm. Once each of these elements is established, the plaintiff will be able to recover damages.
Contact a Trusted Massachusetts Auto Accident Attorney
Road rage can lead to serious, even deadly accidents. If you or a loved one has been severely injured due to someone else’s road rage, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates, P.C., our trusted Massachusetts auto accident attorneys are devoted to holding negligent drivers responsible for their conduct behind the wheel. For a free consultation, please call us today at 1-800-262-9200 or contact us online.
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