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(253) 272-5226Being the victim of a car accident is difficult enough—but when road rage is involved, the experience can feel even more overwhelming. Unfortunately, these incidents are becoming more common here in Washington State.
In today’s post, we’ll discuss steps you can take to stay safe on the road and what to do if you’ve been the victim of road rage. We also want you to know that our team regularly handles cases like these. If you’d like to speak with a lawyer about what happened, please don’t hesitate to call us. There’s no cost or obligation to learn more about your rights.
Road rage is a growing problem in Washington. In 2022, a Forbes study ranked Washington as the 9th worst state in the nation for road rage incidents. Another report by Axios highlighted a troubling increase in road rage shootings across the state.
Unfortunately, these incidents are not rare. Here are just a few examples:
It’s clear that road rage poses a serious danger to everyone on the road. Chances are, you’ve seen or even experienced aggressive driving recently.
If you find yourself targeted by an aggressive driver or observe one on the road, consider the following steps:
For more detailed information, check out our dedicated post on handling aggressive drivers.
Being the victim of a road rage incident is both terrifying and frustrating. After an accident like this, here’s what you should do:
We also strongly recommend reaching out to a personal injury lawyer with experience in road rage cases. Getting legal help early can ease your stress and ensure the necessary evidence is collected to strengthen your case.
Road rage incidents come with unique challenges that set them apart from your average fender bender.
First, the at-fault driver may face both criminal and civil consequences. In other words, in addition to your claim for compensation for medical expenses and property damage, the driver could also be charged with reckless driving or other criminal offenses. Criminal charges can actually strengthen your civil case, as they highlight the other driver’s wrongdoing and reinforce your claim for compensation.
Second, insurance claims in road rage cases can be more complicated. Drivers who engage in road rage are often high-risk, and it’s not uncommon for them to lack insurance altogether. If that’s the case, you may need to rely on your uninsured motorist coverage to cover your damages. On the other hand, if the at-fault driver does have insurance, their provider may try to pressure you into a quick settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and losses.
If you’ve been the victim of a road rage incident, a personal injury lawyer can guide you through the process and advocate for you. Here are some key ways they can help:
At firms like Ladenburg Law, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, their fee is a percentage of your settlement, paid only after you’ve received compensation. Even after legal fees, clients often recover far more than they would on their own.
As injury lawyers, we often focus on physical injuries—broken bones, lacerations, back sprains. But it’s important to acknowledge that road rage incidents can also cause significant emotional harm.
In addition to seeking medical care, it’s essential to prioritize your emotional well-being. You may need ongoing therapy to cope with depression, anxiety, or PTSD resulting from the incident. These invisible injuries can be just as impactful as physical ones.
Emotional damages should absolutely be part of your compensation. If we work together, we’ll ensure these harms are recognized and included when negotiating your settlement.
Our Tacoma personal injury lawyers are here to answer your questions—completely free and with no obligation. Give us a call at 253-272-5226, or fill out the short form on our website to get started.