Gauge Your Driving And Avoid Road Rage

The defendant admitted fault in an auto accident in which a cab driver sustained four herniated discs in his neck. Initially, it appeared as if the accident was caused by the cab driver who crashed into the pick-up truck. Upon a detailed investigation, it was determined that the truck driver deliberately caused the accident.

Many people operate on the false assumption that in a rear-end collision the fault does not lie with the person that was rear-ended, however, this is not always the case. This case is a good example. The driver of the pick-up truck was apparently angry at the cab driver so he swerved in front of the cab before intentionally stopping, causing the auto accident.

Believe it or not, road rage is one of the top causes of auto accidents frequently resulting in serious or fatal accidents. Here are a few tips to stop road rage before it happens or if you find yourself in a road rage situation.

1. Stay calm and plan extra time to reach your destination.

2. Avoid being drawn in by confrontation.

3. Error on the side of being courteous and kind to other drivers.

4. Use turn signals and allow plenty of room when changing lanes and merging into traffic.

5. Keep a safe distance and avoid tailgating.

6. Avoid visible gestures that may anger or frustrate another driver.

7. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room. Their aggression may escalate if you respond in a similar way.

8. If you think you are in serious danger, call the police or drive to a heavily populated area.

9. Attempt to remove yourself from the situation by slowing down or taking the nearest exit.

10. If the angry driver pursues you, try to pull into the parking lot of a police station or a busy area where other people are around.

The dangers of road rage should never get in the way of safely reaching your destination. Ultimately it’s up to all of us to help prevent road rage. By recognizing the signs in others and ourselves, we can significantly reduce road rage accidents and perhaps help save a life.

Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life funding is needed during litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.