New Mexico is known as the state with the worst drivers in the country based on several metrics. Not only are drivers in New Mexico more distracted than they are in other states, but there is also a much higher chance that they will be involved in a road rage incident. New Mexico has the highest rate in the country of drivers using firearms in road rage confrontations. If you have been injured in a road rage car crash, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. A car crash lawyer could help you receive top dollar for your motor vehicle crash injuries.

What Is Road Rage?

There are a number of definitions of road rage. One loose description of this conduct is when drivers react angrily or aggressively to other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, or anyone else on the roadway. They may exhibit hostile behavior, either using their vehicle to manifest their conduct or some other type of weapon if they get into a physical confrontation with another driver.

Road rage is not something that only a handful of very angry drivers do behind the wheel. A majority of motorists will exhibit some type of behavior that could fall under the umbrella of road rage. According to one study, roughly 80% of motorists will demonstrate some type of road rage during the course of any given year.

Examples of Road Rage

Of course, road rage involves incidents when one driver brandishes a weapon or even discharges a firearm at another motorist on the road. There are other instances of conduct that could be considered road rage, including:

• Aggressively tailgating another driver to intimidate them.
• Suddenly cutting off another motorist to block their path.
• Using a vehicle to intentionally crash into another driver or force them from the roadway.
• Intentionally failing to yield the right of way when it is required by law.

Even excessively honking the horn or angrily yelling at another driver can be considered road rage. When a motorist does this, they are often distracted and otherwise act aggressively, thereby raising their risk of causing a crash.

Legal Responsibility for a Road Rage Crash

The driver who was manifesting road rage is not going to automatically be held legally responsible for any crash in which they are involved. You would still need to prove that the other driver involved in the crash was negligent or reckless. If they engaged in behavior such as excessively tailgating or dangerously weaving in and out of traffic, all you would need to do is prove that they did one of those behaviors, as opposed to showing that it was caused by rage. You still must have evidence that shows what the other driver did to cause the crash.

Seeking Compensation for a Road Rage Crash

Like any other type of car crash, you could file a claim against the responsible motorist’s insurance policy or a lawsuit against them in court. In some cases, the insurance company may be hesitant to challenge you because they would be afraid of ending up in front of a jury. They would not be able to defend their own driver’s actions when they were egregious and apparently originating from their rage.

Nonetheless, you would still need the help of an experienced car crash lawyer when you are seeking compensation for a road rage crash. The insurance company would be less likely to challenge you or make you low settlement offers when they see that you have the help of an experienced car crash lawyer.

However, you would still need to negotiate your compensation, even if you can readily prove liability for the crash.

Contact the Albuquerque Car Crash Lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Today if You Were the Victim of a Road Rage Crash

If you have been injured in a vehicle crash caused by road rage, seek legal help from the Albuquerque car crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC. We can review your case and fight for you to receive compensation for every dollar you deserve. You can schedule a free initial consultation by calling us today at 505-900-3559 or by contacting us online. Our office is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and we gladly serve clients in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.