Road rage can be a dangerous emotion both before and after an accident occurs. Learning how to recognize, diffuse, and prevent road rage situations is important; it can help to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place, and help to protect you—and your right to recover damages—after an accident has occurred.
If you have been in an accident, a car accident attorney can represent you in filing a claim. Until then, here are some tips on how to prevent and diffuse road rage situations.
After a Car Crash Occurs
Most people think of road rage as an emotion that is experienced while driving. But because emotions can also be surging after a car accident—and because Georgia traffic accident law requires drivers to stop and exchange information after an accident has occurred—road rage often sets in after the fact.
If you have been in a crash and need to exchange information with the other driver, it is incredibly important that you try to control your road rage. Not only can failing to do so be dangerous for you—you never know how another driver might react—but it may also hurt your chances of recovering damages at a later point.
After a car crash, here is what you need to do to help mitigate road rage.
- Stick to the facts
- Only share necessary information
- Keep your voice level
- Do not place blame or try to discuss fault
- Never exchange insults or let things get physical
The Dangers of Road Rage While Driving in Georgia
Of course, many people experience road rage well before a crash occurs. If you are one of them, know that road rage leads to aggressive driving, which in turn takes lives. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reporting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatal Accident Report System data from 2003 to 2007, aggressive driving played a role in 56 percent of fatal crashes during that time period. Excessive speeding was the number one factor.
Even when an aggressive driving accident does not result in fatalities, it can change your life.
- Expensive property damages
- Catastrophic injury
- Time and money in order to recuperate
Keep a Safe Distance Between Yourself and Other Drivers
One of the best ways to avoid road rage is to try to avoid situations that may make your blood boil. If you can change your commuting time to avoid traffic jams, do so. Otherwise, while driving, keep a moderate amount of distance between you and other drivers, even while in bumper-to-bumper traffic. This will allow you to change lanes easily if another driver behind you is provoking you.
Do Not Provoke Other Drivers
Sometimes, you may not even know that what you are doing—such as making eye contact with another driver—is a provoking behavior. As such, it is important to familiar yourself will those behaviors which may be aggravating, threatening, or provoking to another driver, and which could in turn be dangerous.
Possible behaviors that can trigger another person’s road rage include these.
- Making eye contact with another driver
- Tailgating
- Tapping your brakes
- Cutting another driver off
- Making hand gestures
- Yelling at another driver
Your best bet is to always stay focused on the task at hand—driving—and to keep your eyes on the road. Drive as you would want others to drive, and keep your safety in mind.
When You Need to Contact an Attorney
Road rage causes thousands of accidents each year. If you are the victim of an accident caused by road rage, you can file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company to recover damages. You also have the right to file a personal injury claim. For guidance in doing either, consult the Law Office of Jason Shultz, P.C. For the personalized attention and determination that your case deserves, call 404-474-80804 today.