South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 90 percent of accidents involve driver error. Moreover, nearly 35 percent of those accidents involve road rage or aggressive driving. In Florida, road rage commonly refers to the anger a driver experiences when they experience stress or frustration while driving. Road rage is a serious problem in Florida, and a person’s fleeting rage can have long-term and potentially fatal consequences for other drivers, passengers, and bystanders.
While Florida authorities often distinguish between “driver error” and “aggressive driving,” many errors begin with an error and escalate into a rage. For instance, news reports described a harrowing road rage accident that took the life of a pregnant woman. The woman hit a motorcyclist and drove away from the incident. While the motorcyclist did not suffer injuries, he followed her to get information. The motorcyclist and two witnessed tried to get the woman to stop at an intersection; however, she continued driving and went to her home. The motorcyclist and witnesses followed her and waited outside of her home, and called 911. The woman appeared from her house with a firearm and pointed it at the motorcyclist and witnesses. The motorcyclist drew his handgun and shot at the woman multiple times. He remained at the scene of the accident until emergency responders arrived. Tragically, the woman died from her wounds.
- Some common driver errors include:
- Following too closely;
- Speeding; or
- Cutting a driver off.
This conduct by itself may reach the level of road rage, especially if it is coupled with actions such as:
- Swearing;
- Veering in and out of traffic;
- Brandishing a weapon; or
- Trying to run a driver off of the road.
Florida has many dangerous roadways, and road rage only exacerbates the likelihood of a serious accident and injuries. Injury victims can recover compensation for their losses; however, the law requires claimants to abide by strict procedural and substantive laws. An attorney can advocate for injury victims during insurance claims, settlement discussions, litigation, and appeals.
Road rage accident lawsuits require the victim to establish that they experienced:
- A permanent injury;
- Scarring, amputation of body parts, disfigurement or inability to perform a bodily function; or
- The death of a loved one.
Accident victims should contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that they meet the statute of limitations and other relevant deadlines.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Florida Road Rage Accident
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries or died in a Florida road rage accident, contact Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada to discuss your rights and remedies. Our skilled attorneys, paralegals, and support staff provide clients with individualized attention and excellent representation during all stages of a claim. We handle Florida auto accident cases, premises liability claims, product liability lawsuits, and wrongful death claims. Through our diligent and zealous representation, we have secured significant amounts of compensation for our clients and their families. Contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney by calling 877-448-8585.