Road Rage Accident Lawyers

Road rage is real. It’s incredibly dangerous, and tempers that flare up in seconds can lead to injuries that last for a lifetime.

Road rage can manifest itself in aggressive driving, tailgating, and full-blown physical confrontations. Almost two-thirds of Americans have been victims of road rage, and hundreds of people die or are injured in road rage incidents each year.

If that includes you or someone you love, now is the time to seek justice with Collins Law, the relentless law firm. We’re here to hold the reckless driver responsible and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Road Rage

Every driver gets irritated by the inconsiderate or aggressive actions of other drivers on the road from time to time. But road rage goes far beyond that.

According to the Illinois State Police, road rage is “driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner that could endanger the safety or property of another driver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian.” At best, road rage leaves other drivers feeling shaken. At its worst, it causes fatalities or leaves people with life-changing injuries.

Common causes of road rage

Road rage can flare up for many reasons, but some of the most common scenarios include:

• Running late: When drivers are under time pressure, any little thing can make them more anxious and drive more aggressively. You may notice drivers honking, tailgating, and weaving through traffic in an attempt to get to their destination more quickly. All the time, they are putting themselves, pedestrians, and other road users at risk.
• Heavy traffic: No one likes sitting in rush-hour traffic, but if drivers are already stressed, it can push them over the edge.
• Pattern of violence: Some individuals are violent in other areas of their lives, such as at work or with their families. This pattern of violent behavior continues when they get behind the wheel.
• Irritation with other drivers: There are numerous distracted drivers on the road who are texting, talking on their cellphones, or failing to pay attention in other ways. Sometimes, the inconsiderate driving of distracted drivers can become the catalyst for a road rage incident.

WebMD reports that alcohol, lack of sleep, and even the music people play in the car can have an impact on road rage incidents.

Aggressive driving fueled by road rage

No one accidentally rams a car into someone else’s while hurling insults. Unlike many other types of car accidents, road rage accidents are not caused by human error. They are aggressive, intentional acts, and perpetrators must be relentlessly pursued for compensation.

Here are some common scenarios road rage accident attorneys have encountered:

• Swerving to intimidate: An angry driver may have intended to frighten you by swerving into your lane but misjudged and sideswiped your car, ran you off the road, or worse.
• Slamming the brakes: If the driver in front thinks you're tailgating, he or she may aggressively slam on the brakes. This can cause an unusual type of accident – a rear-end collision that is not the fault of the following driver.
• Chasing or tailgating: An enraged driver may chase or tailgate your vehicle for miles, often accompanied by honking or non-stop flashing. Then that person either hits you or puts you under so much pressure that you get into an accident.
• Confrontation outside the car: You both have to stop at a red light, and the angry driver decides to get out and confront you. There have been cases where drivers and passengers have been dragged out of their vehicles and attacked. In some cases, guns get involved, with Pew Research finding there were 516 injuries and fatalities in road rage incidents involving guns between 2015 and 2023.

These are just a few scenarios that can lead to fatalities, serious injuries, and ongoing emotional trauma due to road rage.

Whatever the circumstances of your road rage accident, it is vital to seek qualified legal advice from car accident attorneys who won’t quit in pursuing the best outcome for you. What exactly can a road rage accident lawyer do for you?

Is Road Rage a Crime?

Being angry may not be a crime, but aggressive behavior can be. Some states have specific road rage statutes, while in others, like Illinois, it is not specifically mentioned in state law.

However, depending on the circumstances, an Illinois road rage accident could be classified as:

• Criminal damage to property
• Reckless driving
• Careless and imprudent driving

If the police decide to pursue a criminal charge, it is separate from any civil claim you may make. So go ahead and talk to a Collins Law road rage accident attorney for tailored legal advice on the options open to you.

The Role of Road Rage Accident Lawyers

Collins Law road rage accident lawyers have seen the devastating impact these accidents, born out of aggression, can have on victims. Although they differ from regular car crashes, the onus remains on the injured party to prove that the reckless driver was at fault.

Road rage accident attorneys can give you the best chance of recovering fair compensation by investigating, negotiating, and fighting relentlessly on your behalf.

Investigate and build a strong case

Road rage accident lawyers will search for all relevant sources of evidence to build a strong case for liability. This may include the following:

• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Surveillance camera and dashcam footage
• Photos from the accident scene

Road rage accident attorneys will also investigate the impact your injuries have had on your life to date, and how they will affect you in the future. This will enable them to build a strong case for fair compensation that can help you rebuild your life.

Negotiate or fight your case in court

Your Collins Law attorney will prepare a demand letter to send to the insurance company explaining why their client is at fault and the compensation you require to settle the case. This will be followed by a period of negotiation in which our lawyers will relentlessly pursue the best settlement for your injuries.

If the insurance company is not willing to offer a fair payout, don’t worry. We are trial lawyers, and we won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit and fight your case in court.

Your Focus on Healing, While We Focus on Recovering Compensation

You should not have to lose out because another person got mad behind the wheel. Collins Law’s relentless approach to pursuing compensation has yielded outstanding results, and we’re ready to hear your story.

For over 30 years, we have been recognized as one of Chicago’s premier law firms for victims of others' reckless and malicious behavior. We have recovered $1.47 billion in verdicts and settlements, and we are proud to fight for victims of injustice. Are you ready to discover what your case could be worth?

Schedule a free consultation with a road rage accident lawyer by completing our online form or calling (630) 527-1595. There’s no fee unless we win, so you’ve got nothing to lose by talking to us today.