Liability In Road Rage Incidents
The concept of “road rage” has no specific legal definition, but in general, drivers know it when they see it. A person may be speeding, honking their horn continuously, trying to cut another driver off, or engaging in any number of behaviors that may feel good in the moment, but in reality, can lead to serious injury and death. If you have been the victim of an accident you believe was caused by road rage, consulting an attorney may help you determine your legal options.
An Epidemic Of Aggression
Driving in the United States has become a steadily more stressful experience, but in recent years it has become more and more dangerous. Data from the anti-gun violence website The Trace reports almost 3,100 shootings directly attributable to road rage between 2014 and 2023, with roughly one-quarter of them proving fatal. More and more drivers report being cursed at, cut off, even menaced by a driver getting out of their car to get in their face physically.
There can be countless different factors that can play a role in these incidents, from exhaustion to substance abuse to being shocked by a reckless action from another driver. However, many road rage incidents ultimately do not amount to much beyond frightening the life out of those on the road around the angry driver. One type of road rage that does usually end in tragedy are the rare cases where a large vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, are involved.
Is Action Within The Scope Of Employment?
In Florida, as of this writing, no specific law exists that makes road rage a criminal offense, but the underlying actions of a driver can lead to both civil and criminal liability. In other words, a person may not be able to be charged with road rage, but they may be criminally charged with failure to yield, speeding, or other driving behaviors that endanger those around them. The driver may also face civil liability for their actions, regardless of whether criminal charges are brought against them or not.
This is particularly significant in cases involving commercial vehicles – given the size of the vehicles, if a tractor-trailer driver behaves recklessly or aggressively, it is infinitely more likely that a driver or passenger in a standard automobile will be seriously injured as a result. One thing to be aware of, however, is that their employer’s insurers will not normally cover deliberately tortious or malicious acts – if a truck driver, for example, deliberately tries to run another car off the road, their employer’s insurance will not cover any damages related to it.
Call A Tampa Truck Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a crash with a large vehicle, and you believe that road rage was a factor, a Tampa truck accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine your legal options. We are ready to try and assist you – call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
