Failure to obey traffic control devices. Actions that constitute road rage, include forcing another driver off the road, exiting your vehicle with intent to damage property or inflict injury, road harassment, dangerous maneuvers on the road such as braking Infront of another vehicle, tailgating, or nudging other vehicles, and other aggressive actions triggered by wrath. Road rage can result in serious injuries from crashes and physical violence from angry individuals. is ready to help. Obviously, there are instances of road rage, such as waiving or discharging a gun which are well beyond the concept which I am discussing. You may take civil action against that person. For example, say a road rage incident turned into an auto accident. Ms. The second driver was not charged with a crime. There are no charges in Florida for road rage per se, but acts of road rage can lead to felony charges of aggravated battery or assault with a deadly weapon. Law enforcement doesn't specifically keep track of road rage cases, but we looked at five years of data from . If youre facing these charges, The Umansky Law Firm is ready to help. Get plenty of rest the night before driving a long distance. All traffic is being routed OFF of I-95 north of the scene. Failure to obey traffic control devices. Aggressive Driving and Road Rage in Florida. If you feel threatened or are worried about your safety call law enforcement. Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. Aggressive careless driving means committing two or more of the following acts simultaneously or in succession: Exceeding the posted speed as defined in s. Unsafely or improperly changing lanes as defined in s. Following another vehicle too closely as defined in s. Failing to yield the right-of-way as defined in s. Violating traffic control and signal devices as defined in ss. Related charges include assault, and disturbing the peace. In 2012, Florida legislature passed a law that makes it illegal to drive more than 10 miles per hour under the speed limit in the left lane if another car is approaching. He remained at the scene of the accident until emergency responders arrived. If youre facing these charges. 3. Most states prosecute road rage incidents under reckless driving or aggressive driving statutes. Keep in mind that every driver is a potential murderer. It all sounds pretty reasonable, correct? The only reason for a driver to be in the left lane is to pass or to make a left turn. 2420 S. Lakemont Avenue Suite 150 Orlando, FL 32814. Expect delays throughout the morning. If you suffer injuries from an aggressive driver, consult with a Florida car accident lawyer in your area immediately. But remember, the burden of proof is on you, so you must gather evidence. Gather the names and contact information of all parties involved and people who witnessed the accident. (4) failing to yield to the right of way. It is essentially kept on the books as a method in which statistics may be tracked on accidents involving aggressive driving. If you hit someone with your car (a deadly weapon), that charge turns into an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Road rage is difficult to deal with you do not want to worry about your legal claim. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries or died in a Florida road rage accident, contact Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada to discuss your rights and remedies. Florida Laws(30) Fraud(5) Gun Laws(27) Hate Crimes(3) Holiday(9) Insurance(3) Juvenile Justice(24) Legal Rights(43) Marijuana(17) Pedestrian Accidents(5) The incident is causing huge traffic delays. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, it is important to consult with a Board Certified Trial Lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to help you. The woman appeared from her house with a firearm and pointed it at the motorcyclist and witnesses. (850) 696-1060 Fax Yes, verbal road rage may constitute disturbing the peace in some jurisdictions, and as mentioned may result in prison time, fines, community service, or other suitable punishment, including anger management classes. Finally, dont put yourself in a position to get rear-ended. Officers might issue citations or even arrest drivers for following too closely, speeding, racing, improper lane changes, failure to yield, and more. Suite 526, 6909 Old Highway 441 Suite 108, Office 600. Incidents of road rage and aggressive driving can lead to serious felony charges that can ruin your life. Where the line blurred is when a driving becomes frustrated and acts in an aggressive and dangerous manner due to the frustration. Adding a vehicle to the mix can result in a felony. Road rage that leads to action may result in the following charges: Reckless driving refers to a situation where a driver operates a vehicle in a way that endangers other road users. In Florida, road rage commonly refers to the anger a driver experiences when they experience stress or frustration while driving. to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient Florida locations. This time, he was killed in the incident. Shore, in an effort to make her move over so that he could pass. Road rage is a serious problem in Florida, and a persons fleeting rage can have long-term and potentially fatal consequences for other drivers, passengers, and bystanders. 4. (4) Failing to yield the right-of-way as defined in s. 316.079, s. 316.0815, or s. 316.123. Disclaimer | Site Map | SEO by Rankings.io. If the damage was intentional or the result of negligence, you may take civil action. Remain calm. A man stepped out of his vehicle and turned his frustrations on another vehicle behind him. One of the most common causes of road rage is when a driver cuts off another driver. An investigation is ongoing.. Do not challenge aggressive drivers; Sometimes being pressed for time leads to being impatient and stressed, which can result in road rage. What should you do during a road rage incident? The St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa metropolitan area ranks as some of the most dangerous in the country. When you file an injury claim against an aggressive driver, what will they have to pay for? Anyone heading south to Miami, Miami International Airport, or other points south of the Golden Glades is being encouraged to find another route. Remember, the court must consider the circumstances leading up to the incident, including weather conditions, the time of day, people, and animals in the area, and the vehicles. Once you have passed the slower traffic, you should move, as soon as it is safe to do so, back into the right hand lane so that others may pass. The firefighter survived two gunshot wounds and the officer is facing prosecution. A recent study of road rage from Expedia revealed that left lane drivers who are driving below the speed limit are the third top reason to get other drivers blood boiling, right after texting while driving and tailgating. Tailgating; 4. Throws objects at other vehicles or intentionally commits other reckless acts on the road. Through our diligent and zealous representation, we have secured significant amounts of compensation for our clients and their families. You might feel different emotions, such as: Those feelings can be amplified after getting into your car and driving in traffic. Runs another vehicle off the roads or blocks another from switching lanes. Suite 526 Orlando, FL 32828, 6909 Old Highway 441 Suite 108, Office 600 Mount Dora, FL 32757. Are Bicycle Accidents Occurring More Often? Next, if you are able to, document everything that you can remember about the moments leading up to the accident. We know accidents can be stressful and want to make the process as easy as possible for you. Orlando, especially, can be unpredictable with so much ongoing road work combined with the high volume of tourists flocking onto the road. , as violent or aggressive behavior that stems from a drivers uncontrolled rage due to the actions of another driver. You might drive safely and defensively, but you still cannot control other drivers emotions, reactions, and decisions. Although it sounds bizarre and "out of a movie script," cases of violence on the road are not as uncommon as we would like to think: August 2016: Gary Lynn Durham, who'd served an 11-year sentence for a road rage confrontation in 2001, experienced yet another clash on a Florida road. 5622 Central Avenue , St. Petersburg, Florida 33707 Pensacola, FL 32502 To clarify, traffic offenses include acts including speeding, failing to stop or yield, seat belt violations, driving under the influence, and so on. For drivers who have little patience and short tempers, the worst place to drive is apparently Florida. Another study reviewed upwards of 10,000 road rage incidents and determined that they caused 218 murders and 12,610 personal injury matters. Note, the charges may escalate if the accused has prior records. Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. If someone accuses you of road rage or aggressive driving that leads to a charge of aggravated assault or battery, understand that you have options. Closed, Local Police Warn Of Sextortion Cases Involving Teens In South Florida, Boca Raton Car Dealer Wants Its Porsche, Or $128,500, WHAT THE HECK KINGS POINT? An argument with a spouse or significant other. At the house, both drivers exited their vehicles and one shot the other in front of his family. An assault with a dangerous weapon or motor vehicle by the passenger or driver(s) of one motor vehicle on the driver or passenger of another vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on the roadway. Studies show that young males under 19 are the most likely drivers to experience road rage. A lot of people refer to the left lane as the fast lane but there is actually no such thing as a fast lane. There is however a passing lane and its the far left lane. What that means is, if an incident happens on the highway, you fail to move your vehicle, or you harass, intimidate, or injure anyone involved in the incident. Florida has many dangerous roadways, and road rage only exacerbates the likelihood of a serious accident and injuries. Content copyright 2023 Metro Desk Media, LLC. Do not remain in the left lane when other drivers are attempting to pass; Remember that everyone on the road is trying to get safely from one place to another. He kicked and punched the grill of the SUV and police from the Hialeah Police Department were called to the scene. Driving on Florida highways can be dangerous. What was the outcome of police investigations? Can You Sue A Doctor For Failure To Diagnose? In theory it is simple, but sometimes human nature gets in the way: 1. Governor touts No. Reducing aggressive driving also reduces preventable car related injuries and deaths. The motorcyclist drew his handgun and shot at the woman multiple times. As noted, the difference between road rage and aggressive driving is that road rage involves the use of a weapon to retaliate or act against a driver or pedestrian that you feel wronged by. that leads to a charge of aggravated assault or battery, understand that you have options. All Rights Reserved. Not all states that allow people to keep loaded guns in their cars are permitless carry states. Receiving compensation for your damages and injuries after an accident involving road rage or aggressive driving can be challenging. Another real tragedy associated with instances of aggressive driving or road rage is that many times the injured party was not the aggressive driver or even the object of his rage, but nearby drivers unaware of what was transpiring or pedestrians or bicyclists who are completely unable to protect themselves from this type of situation. 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