Aggressive behavior on the road can lead to severe hazards and preventable accidents that leave many individuals injured. When drivers engage in road rage, they often use aggressive tactics to beat the traffic, speed ahead, or retaliate against another driver. An estimated 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by road rage, and 82% of people admitted to engaging in road rage within the year 2019.
Despite all the dangers associated with aggressive behaviors on the road, it is still a prevalent concern on California’s roadways. If you have suffered injuries caused by a road rage car accident, a Newport Beach auto accident lawyer at Younglove Law Group can support your case and help you file a claim. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of road rage and the accidents that arise because of aggression on the road.
The Psychology of Road Rage
Driving can easily become stressful and challenging at times. If a driver gets lost, misses a turn, gets stuck in traffic, or encounters reckless driving on the road, it can affect their emotions and decision-making when operating a vehicle. The American Psychological Association has found links between displaced anger, high-stress life, and road rage. This is the case in many road rage incidents, as many drivers become upset, impatient, agitated, or in a frenzy while driving.
6 Ways Road Rage Causes Car Collisions in California
Understanding the ways a road rage incident contributes to car collisions in California may help drivers avoid getting into a heated and rageful encounter with other drivers on roadways. Many aggressive drivers have made the mistake of causing tragic accidents that proved fatal for innocent drivers. Here are six ways road rage causes car collisions.
1. Speeding
One of the most common causes of accidents related to these kinds of collisions is speeding. When drivers become impatient, aggressive, and eager to beat the traffic, they often rush past other cars. This causes dangers for other cars on the road, and speeding was attributed to causing over 10,000 accidents in 2020.
2. Tailgating
Tailgating occurs when a vehicle travels very close to the car in front of them. This can be understood as a form of intimidation while driving, and many aggressive drivers use this tactic to move the vehicles out of their way. As you can guess, this can lead to rear-end collisions and preventable accidents that can be avoided by following at a safe distance.
3. Failing to Follow Traffic Rules
Drivers who operate a car with an aggressive tendency around other drivers are often lenient when obeying traffic rules. Speeding to beat red lights, failing to yield to the right-of-way, and switching lanes without signaling are examples of the habits of aggressive drivers who fail to follow traffic rules.
4. Sudden Braking
When drivers are in a rage or aggressive towards other drivers, they may make decisions that leave no time to react and prevent an accident. By speeding, disobeying the law, and using intimidation, they often break suddenly and risk the safety of others driving ahead of or behind them.
5. Weaving Between Cars
Another form of aggressive driving is seen in weaving on roadways. This occurs when drivers switch in and out of lanes to get ahead of others and often do so with an aggressive nature and without turn signals. This type of driving can cause sideswiping accidents and other kinds of car collisions.
6. Violence While Driving
Situations on the road involving aggressive drivers and violent acts lead to accidents and fatalities every year. Unfortunately, a significant number of road rage situations lead to gun violence between drivers. Everytown Research discovered over 700 incidents of road rage shootings in the United States in 2021, and these contributed to two-thirds of road rage incidents that year.
An Expert Car Accident Lawyer at Younglove Law Group Can Help You File a Claim After a Road Accident
A skilled car accident reconstructionist at Younglove Law Group can help you gather the information necessary to file a claim and pursue compensation. Any liable driver in California who causes a collision resulting in injury to others and their property is subject to provide compensation for those involved. Road rage causes preventable accidents every year in the United States and, unfortunately, results in many fatalities.
Our attorneys are skilled in personal injury law, proving negligence, and remaining compassionate with every client that seeks our help. If you have been involved in a road rage accident, you may fill out a contact form or call our office at (949) 691-3660 to schedule a free consultation.
