If you’ve been confronted or harmed by an enraged driver, you aren’t alone. These incidents happen regularly in Chicago and beyond.
Thankfully, the law provides protection for victims and a path to receiving compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering.
If you’ve been hurt in an aggressive driving car accident, get in touch with The Personal Injury Lawyers™. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your rights under the law.
The Personal Injury Lawyers™ have recovered millions of dollars in jury awards and settlements for their clients. Our firm handles all kinds of personal injury cases, from dog bites and aviation accidents to business claims and car collisions.
Give us a call at (312) 999-9990 or contact us online to schedule a free case review and discuss the details of your injury claim against an aggressive driver.
How a Chicago Aggressive Driving Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
Road rage is frighteningly common. In fact, one 2023 survey found that 92 percent of drivers witnessed an act of road rage within the last year.
Not every road rage incident leads to an accident, but when road rage culminates in a crash, the results can be deadly. Road rage has been linked to 300 fatalities in the United States since 2013.
The sad fact is that road rage incidents are entirely preventable. However, an enraged driver could threaten you, assault you, or even confront you with a firearm — and since the driver isn’t thinking straight, the situation could escalate to a point where you’re seriously harmed.
Unfortunately, drivers often don’t think to contact a personal injury attorney after a car accident. They figure that they’ll get the help they need by turning to the insurance company representing the driver who hit them.
While insurance provides some recourse for car accident victims, it is an uphill battle to receive the compensation you deserve — especially without representation from an attorney. Insurance companies typically offer low payouts, and they won’t budge on their numbers unless they meet resistance.
With this in mind, having an attorney representing your interests could make the difference between getting a small payout that barely offsets your expenses or a substantial check that covers your current and future needs.
A personal injury attorney will help you by:
- Making sure you know your rights: Every person has specific protections under the law. If you’re traveling in a vehicle, others can’t threaten your safety without consequences. Road rage isn’t considered illegal in Illinois, but reckless driving is — and the two often go hand-in-hand. Illinois does have specific laws regarding bodily harm and property damage. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney will inform you of your rights and ensure that you understand the options available to you under the law.
- Estimating current and future costs: Accident victims may be prone to getting tunnel vision when it comes to their expenses. They’ll see the bills piling up and start to feel frantic about covering their current debts. While having money to cover your current bills is urgent and essential, you may incur costs well after the crash has happened. For instance, you might need physical therapy for months or years to fully regain your mobility. You may rely on counseling to move forward from grief, anxiety, or depression. A personal injury attorney will estimate your future costs and aim to get a payout on your behalf that accounts for those needs.
- Representing your interests: The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. That said, when road rage is involved, there may be a need for further action. No matter what direction your case takes, your personal injury attorney will defend your rights and represent your interests. Instead of getting pushed around by insurance companies or other involved parties, you’ll feel confident knowing that a skilled attorney is dedicated to your case.
- Managing deadlines and documents: Juggling deadlines and paperwork is the last concern you want to have when you’re recovering from a road rage accident. This is especially true if you’ve been injured or if someone else was harmed or killed in the collision. An attorney will manage the nuts and bolts of your case and update you with key developments. With their help, you can focus on recovery and moving forward with your life.
Examples of Aggressive Driving
It’s worth noting that aggressive driving is different from assertive driving.
Assertive drivers make decisive movements while treating other commuters with respect and following the rules of the road. Aggressive drivers, on the other hand, are often impulsive, unpredictable, and out of control. Their emotions may escalate quickly and culminate in violence.
Aggressive driving can take many forms, but some examples include:
- Shouting and obscene gestures
- Cutting other drivers off
- Swerving into other lanes
- Braking or accelerating unexpectedly
- Following too closely
- Ramming into other vehicles
- Driving other vehicles off of the road
- Threatening other drivers with weapons
- Aggressive speeding
- Improper turns
- Running lights
What to Do if You’re Threatened by an Aggressive Driver
Of course, aggressive driving can escalate into full-on violence if the enraged driver leaves their vehicle and tries to confront you or if they attack you from their car with a weapon. In fact, statistics show that road rage was a factor in 40 percent of Chicago Expressway shootings in 2022.
Sadly, there is no way to fully avoid confrontations with enraged drivers, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of angering other road users. These include:
- Moving to the right lane when possible to allow other drivers to pass you on the left.
- Giving people plenty of room to merge in front of or behind you.
- Avoiding tailgating, brake-checking, distracted driving, and other behaviors that frustrate people.
- Avoiding eye contact or confrontations with other drivers.
If the aggressive driver is following you or refuses to back down, you should call 911. You can also pull over if you feel unsafe, but an enraged driver may pull over with you.
Try to stop in a public place, such as a gas station or a parking lot, where there are plenty of other people around. Keep your windows closed and your doors locked, and wait for help.
If possible, try to take down their license plate or details about their vehicle just in case they drive off before the authorities reach the scene.
You may be tempted to reason with the aggressive driver. However, an infuriated stranger may not be in the right state of mind to have a calm conversation, and trying to de-escalate the situation could inflame them further.
Since you don’t know how they’ll react, it’s best to maintain your distance and wait for help to arrive.
Illinois Laws Regarding Road Rage
Illinois does not have specific laws that prevent road rage. Most road-rage-related incidents are measured against the state’s reckless driving statute.
This statute states that individuals drive recklessly when they “willfully and wantonly disregard the safety of other people or property while operating their motor vehicle.” Violating the statute results in a class A misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $2,500 and either community service, traffic school, or probation.
If a driver harms or disfigures someone else, they could be charged with aggravated aggressive driving — a class 4 felony. If found guilty, the maximum punishment is three years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
If you’re a victim of road rage, you can also sue for damages under the law. To successfully win a suit, your personal injury attorney will need to establish a compelling link between the road rage incident, the accident, and your injuries.
They’ll need to show that the defendant acted negligently and harmed you as a result. Your attorney will gather evidence in the form of witness statements, photos and videos, and medical documentation to build your case.
Receiving Compensation After the Accident
Your personal injury attorney will advocate for a payout that covers the current and future expenses you’ve incurred from the accident.
Your payout could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Mental and emotional distress
- Funeral or burial costs if someone passed away in an accident
- Loss of consortium
- Counseling or therapy expenses
The damages you may be eligible for can vary depending on the accident. You’ll want to consult with your attorney to ensure you’ve considered each applicable category.
Contact a Chicago Aggressive Driving Car Accident Law Firm Today
Road rage accidents can change your life in an instant. Whether an angry driver acts menacing toward you, threatens you with a weapon, or initiates a physical altercation, the incident could leave you with physical and mental scars.
Accidents are stressful enough without the added complication of an enraged driver, but thankfully, you don’t have to fight your battles alone. The Personal Injury Lawyers™ are here to help.
If you’re ready to discuss your case with The Personal Injury Lawyers™, call (312) 999-9990 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney.
