Road Rage And Civil Lawsuits
We hear a lot about road rage these days. Who hasn’t seen a crazy driver speeding, veering in and out of traffic, tailgating, or refusing to allow another driver to merge or change lanes. This is all common stuff on American roadways. While these behaviors are frightening in and of themselves, sometimes motorists actually get even more violent. That’s when both criminal and civil liabilities might come into play.
Case in Point
Violence erupted in Taneytown on the 4th of July when two angry drivers got out of their vehicles to duke it out. As the two men’s arguing escalated to fisticuffs, a woman exited one vehicle with a handgun in the hopes it would make the men back off. But one man was shot in the leg, eventually wrestling the gun away from the woman and shooting back, killing the man he’d originally been fighting with and injuring the woman with a bullet-wound to the hand. He also punched the woman in the face, breaking her jaw. This led to the man’s arrest, along with criminal charges. Additionally, it’s possible a civil suit could ensue.
Legal Claims in a Civil Suit
Any time a road rage results in serious injury or death, victims and their families may be entitled to damages. Specific claims that might be made include:
- Negligence and/or recklessness: The errant driver may have operated their vehicle without exercising reasonable care;
- Emotional distress: The driver’s extreme behavior was so egregious as to cause emotional suffering;
- Assault: Harmful physical contact was threatened and/or executed;
- Battery: You or your vehicle suffered unwanted physical contact that caused harm.
What Should You Do Following a Serious Road Rage Incident?
If a road rage incident leads to severe outcomes, you may very well wish to pursue a legal remedy to get financial compensation later. If possible, getting evidence of the other driver’s behaviors and the resulting issues can wind up being quite helpful. Getting statements from others who witnessed the incident, pictures of injuries and damage to your vehicle, and assembling medical documentation can go a long way toward proving your case.
What Might Damages Cover?
According to Maryland law, if the respondent is found liable for your injuries, they could be ordered to pay damages to address a number of issues, including:
- Medical expenses;
- Emotional distress;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Funeral expenses.
Fighting for You
The Baltimore personal injury lawyers at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes are serious about getting compensation for you after your injury. To discuss the possibilities, schedule a confidential consultation in our Baltimore office today.
Source:
abc27.com/news/top-stories/maryland-road-rage-shooting-fight-leaves-one-dead-three-injured/
