Road rage incidents have been increasing over the last several years. Road rage occurs when one or more driver becomes angry because of a problem on the road. One such road rage incident allegedly occurred recently on Mira Mesa Boulevard. According to a witness, two cars were chasing each other when one almost hit the other, causing the driver to swerve and lose control. The vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. The driver died later at the hospital.
Road Rage Causes Accidents
Road rage is a serious concern on our roads. Drivers that become angry at other drivers can lose control and do things they would not normally do. For example, the driver may speed to catch up to another driver, or may get very close to another car to scare them. Other times, drivers have actually stopped their vehicles and gotten into physical altercations. These incidents are dangerous to all drivers on the road.
CHP Grant to Help with Aggressive Driving
California Highway Patrol, CHP, received a grant that will be used for a campaign to address speeding and aggressive driving. Speed, along with aggressive driving, accounted for about 43% of all collisions in California that resulted in fatalities or serious injuries in 2013 and 2014, according to a CHP report.
Federal Safety Grant RADARS
CHP plans to utilize a two-pronged approach when utilizing the grant. The federal safety grant is called Regulate Aggressive Driving and Reduce Speed, RADARS. They will aggressively enforce aggressive driving and speeding, and plan to introduce a program to educate drivers on the dangers of aggressive driving. Additionally, the program will also focus on street racing and sideshows.
Road Rage Accidents
The woman in the case described above was apparently involved in a road rage incident with another vehicle. There is no further information to indicate how the problem started or why. The woman’s vehicle hit a tree after spinning several times. She suffered extensive injuries including major head trauma, fractured ribs and vertebrae, internal injuries, and lacerations of her liver and spleen. The injuries were too severe to survive.
Who is to Blame for the Accident?
In this case, as in other similar cases, the police and others will need to investigate the incident to determine exactly how it occurred. The other driver was located and will certainly be questioned, along with other witnesses. The other driver may be responsible, or partly responsible for the accident that took the life of the woman. In addition to witness statements, the police will evaluate the scene of the crash and will review any possible surveillance footage that may have recorded at least part of the incident. The relatives of the woman may be able to file a claim, if the accident occurred because of the negligence of the other driver.
Drivers should do their part to prevent and diffuse road rage accidents. If you notice another driver who is driving erratically, report it to the police. Do not engage with the other driver. Instead, pull to the side of the road or move over and get out of the way of the angry driver.
If you were involved in a road rage accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea for a consultation to discuss your case today.
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