Road Rage vs. Aggressive Driving in Tennessee

There is no doubt that some days driving can seem like a dangerous adventure. At other times, frustration can creep in, and every red light and driver who refuses to drive at the speed limit becomes frustrating. However, laws are in place to minimize the risk of driving in an unsafe manner, and abiding by them is crucial. One difference to consider is that between road rage and aggressive driving in Tennessee. A Nashville car accident lawyer can assist with filing a claim.

What Is Aggressive Driving in Tennessee?

Aggressive driving refers to a wide range of actions that a person takes while on the roadway. It includes any type of operation of a vehicle in a manner that puts other people at risk or is likely to endanger other persons or property. This is a broad term that encompasses various types of actions taken on today’s roadways. Some of the most common examples of aggressive driving include:

• Speeding
• Tailgating, or following the person in front too closely
• Brake-checking the driver behind you
• Running a red light
• Failing to stop at a stop sign
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Blocking another person from moving into your lane
• Limiting another driver from passing you
• Cutting off a driver

Many of these actions happen every day on Tennessee roadways. Yet, most of them are violations of the state’s traffic laws, meaning that engaging in them puts you at risk.

What Is Road Rage?

The term road rage refers to something more. It is some type of anger-fueled action that disregards the danger it creates for other people. In many situations, it is very dangerous and often retaliatory, meaning the person committing road rage is doing so to get back at the person who cut them off or otherwise did not do what was expected.

What makes road rage different from aggressive driving is the presence of strong emotions. The person is angry or frustrated. In addition, road rage is often an action between two drivers. A driver believes another driver has done something to them and therefore takes action against that person. It is very much focused on a single motorist. Aggressive driving is not. It occurs when a person engages in a dangerous action that is not targeted at one thing.

Examples of road rage include:

• Running another motorist off the road
• Driving on medians or sidewalks to catch up to another driver
• Following another motorist too closely and intimidatingly
• Driving and stopping hard to try to get the driver behind you to hit you
• Intentionally hitting another driver
• Initiate confrontations with another driver outside of the car

Road rage is highly dangerous. It puts people at risk for serious injuries because of the presence of such strong emotions. In all situations, aggressive driving and road rage are common causes of accidents that could be fully avoided. If you were injured in a truck accident in Nashville due to aggressive driving, reach out to our trucking accident lawyer for legal help today.

What Happens if You Are in a Road Rage or Aggressive Driving Accident?

If you are in a road rage incident, do not engage with the other person, pull back and wait for them to pass you. If you feel you are being targeted or followed, call the police and ask for help, or drive to a police station.

If you see another driver engaging in aggressive driving and you want to do your part in avoiding future accidents, you can also call the police to report what you saw. However, you should not approach or try to stop the driver yourself.

When an accident happens, take the following steps:

• Call 911 right away to get help to you as soon as possible
• Move your vehicle or yourself out of the way of further injury, but do not leave the scene of the accident too far
• Avoid confrontation with the other driver by remaining in your car if you believe the driver is being aggressive with you
• If you can safely do so, take photos of the accident and the injuries you have, including snapping photos of the damage to the vehicles
• Ask witnesses to provide their contact information to you
• Tell the police what you saw and experienced before, during, and after the accident, while avoiding any speculation
• Get medical care as soon as possible

By taking these steps, you protect yourself throughout this process. We encourage you to follow up with all of the medical care you need. Then contact our road rage accident lawyers to pursue legal action. Always practice safe driving while on the state’s roads. This can help you avoid these accidents.

Who Is At Fault in a Road Rage or Aggressive Driving Accident?

One of the more challenging aspects of seeking compensation after a road rage accident or aggressive driving incident is proving that it was, in fact, one of these types of violations. With the help of a car accident lawyer, you will be able to gather evidence that supports your claims and documents the losses you have suffered. Evidence that may contribute to this includes:

• Witness statements from before or after the accident
• Dash camera footage
• Red light camera and video footage
• Accident reconstruction that shows what occurred
• Medical reports that describe the types of actions causing the injuries
• Police reports

In some cases, it may be hard to tell the difference if the person was aggressively driving or driving under the pretense of road rage. From a standpoint of seeking legal compensation, the driver engaging in either of these actions is responsible for the damage they cause to others. However, in cases where you can demonstrate road rage, it may be possible to seek additional compensation through the claim of punitive damages.

Hiring a Nashville Accident Attorney Can Prove Critical

Victims involved in any type of accident benefit from working with a proven injury lawyer in Nashville. In a road rage vs aggressive driving accident in Tennessee, this can be even more important. Proving your right to compensation, as well as the actions of the other party, tends to be critical to receiving fair compensation. Before you talk to an insurance company, speak to an attorney at Selvidge Injury Law for a free consultation.