Why Road Rage Makes Driving Dangerous for Everyone

Most of us have encountered other drivers who made our blood boil. Perhaps they cut us off, slammed on their brakes, or performed maneuvers that put other people in danger. Road rage is a common aspect of driving in the U.S., but it is also a significant cause of car accidents. The next time you want to honk your horn or tailgate the annoying driver in front of you, remember this blog. A recent study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 80 percent of Americans have experienced “significant anger, aggression, or road rage” at least once in the last year. Drivers experiencing these feelings tailgated motorists, honked their horns, flipped off other drivers, and yelled (an estimated 266 million people). In the most extreme cases, people have gotten out of their cars to confront other drivers or intentionally rammed other vehicles (an estimated 13.3 million people). Road rage can also cause car accidents. According to AAA, road rage is responsible for 56 percent of all fatal car crashes. Some drivers who give in to road rage might race each other, ignore signs or traffic lights, and drive much faster than the speed limit. In other words, angry drivers are not only putting themselves in danger, but other people as well.AAA’s study also asked drivers which behaviors were most likely to cause road rage. The results are consistent. Drivers who participated in the survey were most upset by being cut off, tailgated, or getting stuck behind slow drivers in the left lane (also called the fast lane).

Want to Avoid Being Victimized by Road Rage? These Tips Might Help

AAA provided helpful tips that drivers can utilize to avoid road rage. Be careful when merging or changing lanes: Give people plenty of room and always use your turn signal. In the event you accidentally cut someone off, be sure to signal an apologetic gesture. Be courteous when driving in the left lane: If someone signals they want to pass, move over to the right lane. AAA warns that even if you are driving the speed limit, drivers behind you can still become angered. Always obey signs that warn the left lane is for passing only. Never tailgate other drivers: Tailgating puts you and the other driver at risk. Always provide yourself with several seconds of stopping room in case the driver in front of you does something unexpected. Tailgating is also likely to anger other drivers. Avoid offensive hand gestures: It goes without saying that such gestures are likely to anger other drivers and escalate a road rage situation. Don’t engage angry drivers: If another driver becomes aggressive, don’t become angry in return. Be prepared to pull over and call 9-1-1 if need be. The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, encourage you to drive safely this summer.

Why You May Need an Attorney Before Filing A UM/UIM Claim

Texas auto insurance policyholders should always ensure they have UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage. Although Texas insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage, policyholders can reject it in writing. UM/UIM coverage can protect you in the event an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits your vehicle and causes physical and/or property damage. However, there are nuances to Texas UM/UIM coverage that make contacting an attorney critical before filing claims. As a policyholder, you may run into difficulties filing a UM/UIM claim. In late 2006, the Texas Supreme Court held in Brainard v. Trinity Universal Insurance Company that insurance companies are under no contractual obligation to pay UM/UIM claims until policyholders obtain judgments establishing the liability of UM/UIM motorists and the amount of damages. So basically, purchasing a UM/UIM policy merely gives you the right to sue your insurance company and recover if you win in court. We can use a hypothetical scenario to further summarize Brainard v. Trinity Universal Insurance Company.

Jill’s Story: Why Filing a UM/UIM Claim Can Be Difficult

Jill is a single mother and business owner with UM/UIM coverage on her Texas auto insurance policy. One day, Jill is driving home from her mother’s house along East Denman Avenue when a distracted driver runs through an intersection and collides with her vehicle. During the course of the accident, Jill breaks her arm and several fingers. To make matters worse, her car is totaled. Police arrive on the scene, file a report, and discover that the driver responsible for the wreck has no insurance coverage. Jill is brought to the hospital and undergoes treatment for her injuries. During her brief stay at the hospital, Jill had been in contact with her insurance company. She had filed a UM claim but, upon returning home, discovered it had been denied. Jill’s insurance company claimed she was not entitled to coverage until she proved in court that the other driver was both at fault and uninsured, and that all her damages were caused by the accident. Due to owning a business and recovering from serious injuries, there is no feasible way Jill has the time to put the evidence together necessary to prove her case. Given her circumstances, Jill realizes she must hire an attorney. After researching the accident, Jill’s attorney can prove that the driver responsible for the wreck was texting at the time of the crash. In addition, her attorney demonstrates that the driver had no insurance coverage. By working with her health care providers, Jill’s attorney secures the records and testimony needed to establish the total amount of damages Jill has suffered as a result of this accident.  Upon presenting this evidence to Jill’s UM insurance carrier, the insurance adjuster realizes that Jill will prevail at trial, so the company agrees to pay her without wasting time and money in court. More could be said about Jill’s story and why it is essential to hire an attorney after an accident. Many possible scenarios can surprise people injured in accidents. Hiring an attorney is the best way to fight back against these possible scenarios before they can cause financial ruin. The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can review your auto policy at no cost.