Can I File A Lawsuit For A Road Rage Accident?

Road rage has become a phenomenon in the United States in recent years. Road rage can be as simple as an angry shout to a passing vehicle or as serious as someone tailgating or hitting another vehicle on purpose. A road rage accident can cause minor injuries, permanent disabilities, and death. If you have been injured in a road rage accident, you may be wondering if you can file a lawsuit for injuries sustained in a road rage accident.

Criminal Activity

A person who acts in a vicious manner when in a rage and follows up with certain acts is behaving in an intentional manner, which can be seen as a crime. For example, if a driver intentionally rams into your vehicle, that action can be classified as assault and battery. If a driver runs you off the road and then exits the vehicle to hit you, that person could be facing an assault and battery charge. There are several criminal offenses that could result from a road rage accident, including vehicular manslaughter, murder, reckless driving, and hit-and-run. The specific criminal charge depends on the facts of the case.

Filing A Lawsuit For A Road Rage Accident

As with any traffic accident lawsuit, you must prove that the other driver caused the accident and you suffered injuries as a result of the accident. A conviction of a crime related to the road rage accident is evidence in your lawsuit. However, a conviction of a crime related to road rage or aggressive driving does not conclusively prove the other driver caused the collision. You must still prove the other driver did something to cause the accident. An experienced attorney who understands Rhode Island and Massachusetts negligence and liability laws can help you prove fault by conducting a thorough accident investigation to identify and preserve key evidence to use in court when arguing fault.

Road rage leaves people hurt and frightened. A road rage accident results in physical pain, emotional suffering, and financial losses. You deserve compensation through a personal injury lawsuit for an intentional act of violence.

Compensatory damages include medical costs for any injuries, including both initial treatment and future medical care. Compensatory damages also include lost wages, if you are out of work due to your injuries. You may be entitled to recover other out-of-pocket expenses related to the road rage accident. Examples include compensation for property damage, over-the-counter medications, travel expenses, and personal care. Non-economic damages available in a traffic accident case include compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering.

We Can Help With Your Road Rage Accident Lawsuit

You’ll want to work with an attorney with experience in personal injury claims, especially as related to automobile accidents. Proving road rage as an intentional act is often the most difficult part of the case. This requires an attorney who understands the various laws related to road rage and negligence. The attorney must understand how to obtain the necessary information, either from police reports or from eyewitnesses, to prove fault.

Our law firm represents clients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Contact Tapalian Law by calling 401-552-5000 or use our online contact form. We are available 24/7 for your convenience. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you! Call now to schedule your free legal consultation.