The Role of Road Rage in Truck Accidents

Road rage is an extreme driver behavior that can endanger lives. When a driver who is controlling a vehicle as large and dangerous as a commercial truck experiences road rage, the outcome can be deadly. If you or a loved one is a victim of a truck accident involving road rage in Colorado, don’t hesitate to contact a truck accident lawyer in Denver for help.

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage can describe any action or behavior by a motor vehicle driver that is motivated by anger, frustration, aggression, or the desire to harm or retaliate against another driver. Road rage is a dangerous problem that can result in many types of reckless driving, including:

• Speeding, racing or tailgating
• Making unsafe lane changes or cutting other drivers off
• Intentionally brake-checking
• Blocking other drivers
• Aggressively honking the horn
• Using obscene language or hand gestures
• Engaging in physical violence or confrontations

Road rage involving any type of driver can result in a tragic traffic accident; however, when a truck driver becomes enraged or frustrated, it can create an extremely dangerous situation due to the size and weight of an 18-wheeler.

Why Does Road Rage Affect Truck Drivers?

Truck drivers are on the road more often than the average motor vehicle driver. They are often under a high level of stress due to tight delivery deadlines, long hours of driving, a lack of good sleep and frustrating traffic conditions. These issues can lead to a truck driver being more emotionally strained and more likely to “snap.”

A truck driver may engage in aggressive behaviors to intimidate other drivers in an effort to get them to move out of the way. A truck driver may also drive dangerously to retaliate against a motor vehicle driver (or another truck driver) for a perceived wrongdoing, such as a driver who cut the trucker off. These tit-for-tat engagements put everyone on the road at risk.

Aggressive Passenger Vehicle Drivers and Truck Accidents

Truck drivers are not the only road users susceptible to bouts of road rage. Other drivers who are sharing the road with large trucks may become equally frustrated. Motorists may get annoyed if they are trapped behind a big rig that is traveling too slowly, for example, and respond by behaving recklessly behind the wheel. This can culminate in a catastrophic trucking accident.

What Are Your Rights if a Road Rage Driver Caused Your Truck Accident?

Road rage can lead to criminal and civil consequences for the at-fault driver. Colorado criminalizes reckless driving, which can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the level of harm caused. If a road rage driver causes a car accident with serious bodily injuries or deaths, for example, this can lead to felony charges and jail time.

In addition, anyone who is injured in a truck accident caused by a road rage driver has the right to hold the driver liable, or civilly responsible, for their related damages. This means the driver who caused the crash will have to pay for the victim’s medical bills, property repairs, lost wages, and more.

When to Contact a Truck Accident Attorney

 If you were recently involved in a truck accident with reason to believe that the other driver was experiencing road rage, it is important to hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you during the claims process. 

Your attorney can help you prove road rage in connection to the trucking accident using evidence such as a police report, citations issued against the driver, witness statements and crash experts. Then, your lawyer can fight for a fair settlement or judgment award on your behalf using personalized legal strategies.

To discuss a recent road rage trucking accident with an attorney in Colorado, contact Fang Accident Lawyers for a free consultation.