How Common Are Car Accidents Due to Road Rage in Florida?

Road rage in Florida only seems to be increasing. People are angry for all sorts of reasons, whether because of stressful jobs or family difficulties. Unfortunately, road ragers do more than scowl at traffic. They can cause many accidents, often intentionally, and leave innocent victims with massive medical bills and lingering pain. If you were hurt by an aggressive driver, JustCallMoe to talk about your case. An Orlando car accident lawyer can provide a summary of your legal rights to pursue compensation and answer any pressing questions.

How big a Problem is Road Rage in Florida?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles collects data regarding car accidents and publishes an annual report. This report identifies the most common reasons for wrecks.

There is no direct category for “road rage” accidents in the report. Nonetheless, many road rage accidents probably fall under “aggressive driving” or “reckless driving,” and the numbers are eye-opening:

• In 2023, 6,297 accidents were caused by a driver operating a motor vehicle in a reckless or aggressive manner.
• These accidents led to 100 fatalities and 318 incapacitating injuries.
• Another 712 non-incapacitating injuries were caused by these reckless driving accidents.
• These numbers work out to around 500 accidents each month, which are potentially caused by road rage. Around 25 people are so injured in these collisions that they are incapacitated.

Florida Road Rage Leads to Injuries and Death

Aggressive driving increases the risk of an accident. Someone who tailgates out of anger is more likely to rear-end the car in front.

Sometimes road rage explodes into frightening violence. From 2018 to 2022, Florida saw around 240 incidents where a person drew or fired a weapon in a road rage incident. Unsurprisingly, the state ranked second for the most fatal road rage shootings, coming second only to Texas.

Other drivers will exit their vehicles with a crowbar or baseball bat to confront another driver, possibly smashing up their windshield. Even if you escape without serious injury, your car might need expensive repairs.

What Causes Road Rage?

Road rage is easy enough to recognize. And if we’re honest, most experienced drivers have experienced road rage at some point.

Often, road rage starts with a trigger. Traffic might be shut down, forcing you to take a detour. This type of unexpected problem increases a driver’s stress. Although some people can manage their stress, others explode in anger and take aggressive action, such as speeding.

In other situations, a motorist cuts you off, and you interpret this action as a direct and personal attack. Some drivers even assume the driver intentionally cut them off. With anger rising, you might take aggressive action like tailgating or passing at a high speed around a corner.

Psychologists explain that some people engage in “aggressive thinking.” These people often think in terms of revenge when they feel insulted, and this revenge can take the form of risky, dangerous driving and sometimes outright violence.

Road rage can escalate. A driver in the grips of road rage might start by honking the horn or flashing their lights. But they quickly start engaging in more dangerous behavior, such as cutting someone off. Some angry drivers might even try to force another vehicle off the road or get out of the vehicle to force a confrontation.

If you feel anger building up inside you, try to counter it by breathing deeply or putting on relaxing music. You might benefit by telling yourself that the other driver didn’t intentionally try to hit you; in all likelihood, they were probably careless.

Receiving Compensation as a Florida Road Rage Victim

If you were injured in any type of crash, you can request compensation if another driver was at fault. A motorist who cuts you off, tailgates, or intentionally hits you is to blame for your accident.

We usually seek compensatory damages after a road rage Florida accident for:

• Lost wages as you recover.
• Medical care and other treatment for your injuries.
• Damage to your vehicle and other property.
• Pain and suffering.
• Other general damages, for mental anguish or loss of consortium.

If a driver intentionally or recklessly injured you, then we can seek punitive damages. These damages are focused on punishing a defendant. Florida caps punitive damages to prevent excessive awards.

Remember, nobody should engage in reckless or other dangerous conduct that endangers the lives of other motorists.

How to Deal with an Angry Driver

What should you do if a driver is riding your tail, flashing their lights, or honking their horn? The most important thing is to de-escalate. That means:

• Do not respond to the aggressive driver in kind. You should not respond in any provocative way.
• Get away from the driver. If possible, try to avoid them by slowing down or changing lanes. Don’t get into a race where you start speeding. Instead, take an exit off the highway and drive to the police station if you are followed.
• Apologize. Another option is to apologize by mouthing “I’m sorry” if you can see the driver staring at you. They might calm them down and help them realize you did not try to hit them.
• Do not get out of your vehicle if you feel unsafe. Some drivers in the grips of road rage might follow you home. You should not exit your vehicle if you feel endangered. Instead, call 9-1-1 or drive to the police station.

Should you be injured in an accident, call the police to report the crash. The responding officer can try to get the other driver under control.

Your Dedicated Orlando Car Accident Lawyer

Road rage accidents injure too many people each year, resulting in financial losses and pain. JustCallMoe to find out your legal rights following a road rage accident. We can advise you on the best steps to take and calculate the possible value of your claim. Reach out by phone or through the internet to schedule a free consultation.