Spend some time driving around Northern Virginia and in our neck of the woods around Culpeper and Warrenton, and you may ask yourself: why are there so many angry drivers? Some drivers seem to have no problem following too closely, driving faster than conditions warrant, and generally just being aggressive and angry.
Some of these driving behaviors can be classified as “road rage”. Aggressive driving is the term used for people who drive in an unsafe way, apparently unaware that they share the road with others. When aggressive driving crosses the line, it can be called “road rage”. This usually happens if something angers a driver, who then tries to retaliate against another driver.
What does road rage look like?
You might have experienced road rage if another driver seemed to become angry at you and follow you too closely on purpose to intimidate you, if they make an obscene gesture at you, if they deliberately try to block your car from merging or changing lanes, if they shout verbal insults or if they go as far as to commit physical assault.
There is no doubt about it: road rage is dangerous. Any aggressive driving move makes the road less safe for other motorists, but road rage behavior is especially risky. If you were hurt in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s road rage, you have legal rights.
Don’t get involved in Virginia road rage
It can be difficult to avoid or ignore another driver who has become angry and is targeting you or another driver near you. The best thing you can do is to NOT RESPOND IN ANY WAY. The angry driver will only be egged on by any response. You may think you can “teach them a lesson” or “show them they can’t behave that way”, but you will fail.
However, if you lost your cool and engaged an angry driver – and it resulted in an accident, all is not lost. The other driver is still accountable for their actions. If you are suffering the effects of a road rage accident, legal help is a good idea.
Please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper office today to discuss your case with one of our skilled attorneys, and find out how we can help you get back on your feet after a driving accident.
DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP
Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
