Information from Your Tampa Automobile Accident Attorney about Road Rage and Aggressive Driving

From Tampa to Clearwater to St Petersburg, examples of road rage and aggressive driving are witnessed on just about every street and highway in our area. This rude behavior on the road is not only annoying, but it is also dangerous. Many area residents have been seriously injured or even killed by accidents that began with a deliberate act of road rage or aggressive driving.

At the law firm of Dale Appell, P.A., we are not only an experienced Tampa automobile accidents attorney, we are also residents of the Tampa Bay area and we want our roads to be safe. From our clients and neighbors alike, we have heard too many stories about how road rage and aggressive driving were the catalyst for automobile accidents resulting in brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, limb loss, burn injuries, and wrongful death.

Interestingly, while the public may use the terms “aggressive driving” and “road rage” interchangeably, they are actually two different behaviors. Aggressive driving is a group of behaviors that are usually associated with drivers who are in a hurry. Common aggressive driving behaviors include tailgating, speeding, running red lights, excessive and unsafe lane changes, passing in the emergency lane, failure to signal, and other inconsiderate actions that put all other vehicles at risk.

Road rage is a criminal offense that occurs when a driver deliberately tries to cause you physical harm in retaliation for (or precipitated by) an incident that occurred on the roadway. A driver who commits road rage may use his or her vehicle as a weapon or may use another weapon, such as a gun, in commission of this crime.

Incidents of road rage and aggressive driving are sometimes linked together; for example, an act of aggressive driving may incite the crime of road rage. At other times, a person may use aggressive driving as a form of defensive driving; for example, a driver may speed and change lanes suddenly to escape the poor driving habits of another driver.

Throughout the Tampa Bay area, residents are increasingly concerned about how aggressive driving and road rage impact their everyday lives. These fears are certainly reasonable. Aggressive driving and road rage can be as dangerous as drunk driving, and none of these behaviors should be tolerated.

If you or a loved one has suffered from traumatic or fatal injuries caused by aggressive driving or road rage, please call or e-mail us. We are a Tampa automobile accidents attorney that will provide you with a free assessment of your case.