Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident? A Guide to Liability in Ohio
Posted in: Car Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
Everyone has heard horror stories about people chasing others down in vehicles, running them off the road, or even violent encounters on the side of the road. Road rage can come in many different forms, and it can either cause – or follow – a car accident.
If you or a loved one are involved in a road rage car accident, you likely have property damage and injuries that you need to handle. The Ohio personal injury lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick can help. Call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free, initial consultation. We’ll review the details and explain your options.
Road rage is any violent behavior caused by frustration associated with driving. Examples vary, but road rage typically occurs in stressful or difficult driving situations, like heavy traffic.
People with a tendency for road rage frequently drive recklessly, which is illegal in Ohio. Reckless operation is driving with “willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.”
To willfully disregard the safety of others means “intentionally” or with purpose. Therefore, a person with road rage who is reckless knows what they are doing. They are making conscious choices to drive dangerously.
Road rage is more common than you may think. It might involve someone yelling from their vehicle or following too closely for several miles. Some other common examples of aggressive driving and road rage include:
The reckless actions that people take when they are experiencing road rage can be distracting. They may cause the driver to deviate from safe driving and cause a car accident. Some actions may directly lead to accidents, such as slamming on brakes and speeding in traffic. However, even throwing items at other vehicles can cause a distraction for everyone on the road.
Road rage accidents are caused by the driver acting irresponsibly. However, they will rarely admit fault. Most people who experience road rage are quick to blame others – likely in an aggressive manner – and the police may even have to step in.
Do not try to reason with an aggressive driver. Instead, stay in your vehicle, lock the doors, and call the police. And like any accident involving an injury, contact 911 immediately and report the situation.
The at-fault driver should be responsible for paying for the property damage and injuries they cause. In most situations, their insurance company will handle the claim. However, if they deny liability or offer less than you deserve, do not delay contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer. In some cases where the driver is particularly reckless, you may have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver directly.
If you or a loved one are injured after a road rage accident, don’t deal with it alone. The law can be confusing, and the other party may be aggressive.
Let KNR gather all the evidence we can about the other driver’s recklessness and demonstrate how it resulted in the accident and your injuries. Our goal will always be to recover maximum compensation for your damages.
To learn more, call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free initial consult.