Road Rage Accidents and Incidents in North Dakota

As personal injury attorneys, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences of road rage. It’s a growing problem on North Dakota roads, fueled by impatience, frustration, and a sense of anonymity behind the wheel. These outbursts can quickly escalate from rude gestures to dangerous driving maneuvers, often leading to serious accidents and life-altering injuries. If you’ve been injured in a road rage incident, you’re not alone; the lawyers at Larson Law can help.

What is considered a road rage accident?

A road rage accident is an accident stemming from aggressive or dangerous driving behaviors motivated by anger or frustration. These behaviors can include:

• Intentional intimidation: This could involve cutting off another driver, tailgating closely, or swerving towards them to scare them.
• Aggressive maneuvers: Examples include speeding excessively, running red lights, or making reckless lane changes without signaling.
• Verbal or physical altercations: Yelling, obscene gestures, or even getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver can all escalate a situation.

The Zebra adds:

Aggressive driving, also called more commonly as “road rage”, is dangerous and negative behavior drivers engage in for a variety of reasons. Oftentimes, the driver is drunk (already making poor decisions), suffering from a mental breakdown or emotional strain, or simply just late and needs to get somewhere fast. While none of these are acceptable reasons for putting yourself and others at risk, road rage is all too common.

If a car accident results from any of these actions, it’s likely considered a road rage accident. The key factor is that the aggressive driving behavior was intentional and caused the crash. It’s important to note that not all aggressive driving qualifies as road rage. For instance, simply exceeding the speed limit might not necessarily be considered road rage. However, if the speeding driver uses their car to bully or intimidate others on the road, and that action causes an accident, then it could be considered road rage.

How common are road rage accidents?

The Zebra lists some startling statistics about road rage accidents:

• In 2023, 92% of drivers reported witnessing an act of road rage over the past year.
• 12,610 injuries and 218 murders were attributed to road rage over a recent seven-year period.
• Someone was shot and killed in a road rage incident every 16 hours in 2022.
• Since 2013, road rage has caused about 300 fatalities.
• 37% of all aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm.
• Over the past 10 years, there has been a 500% uptick in reported road rage incidents.

North Dakota has no laws on the books concerning road rage. The North Dakota Highway Patrol states, “There is no specific law prohibiting road rage. However, ‘road rage’ or other similar behavior exhibited by a driver could fall under a number of categories ranging from a traffic violation to a criminal offense. Applicable charges will depend upon the circumstances.”

What types of charges can be brought for road rage in Minot?

Road rage incidents can lead to both criminal and civil charges, depending on the severity and specific actions of the involved driver. Here’s a breakdown.

Criminal charges

As noted earlier, North Dakota doesn’t have a specific law against “road rage” itself. However, aggressive driving behaviors exhibited during a road rage incident can fall under various criminal offenses, including:

• Reckless driving: This is a misdemeanor offense in North Dakota for operating a vehicle in a way that disregards the safety of others. Examples include speeding excessively, making unsafe lane changes, or following too closely.
• Aggravated reckless driving: This becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the reckless driving results in serious bodily injury or property damage.
• Assault: If the aggressive driving involves attempts to harm another driver or their passengers, assault charges could apply, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the severity of the threat or injury.

Civil charges

If you’re injured in an accident caused by road rage, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your losses and damages. This could include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In a successful civil case, you’d be seeking financial compensation from the other driver.

The specific charges pursued (criminal or civil) will depend heavily on the evidence available. This can include witness statements, police reports, dashcam footage, or any other evidence that proves the other driver’s aggressive behavior and how it caused the accident. Our Minot car accident attorneys help you gather this evidence to build a strong case.

How your Minot road rage car accident attorney can help

The aftermath of a road rage accident can be stressful and confusing, especially when dealing with injuries and insurance claims. Here’s how our Minot car accident attorneys can significantly help with your case:

• Building a strong case for road rage: We understand the nuances of road rage incidents and can effectively gather evidence (witness statements, dashcam footage, police reports) to demonstrate the other driver’s aggressive behavior and establish it as the cause of the accident.
• Understanding aggressive driving laws: North Dakota doesn’t have a specific “road rage” law, but aggressive driving behaviors fall under various criminal and civil categories. Our attorneys handle these legal complexities to ensure you pursue the most appropriate course of action.
• Maximizing compensation: Whether it’s filing a civil claim against the at-fault driver or dealing with your own UM/UIM insurance company, a lawyer can negotiate aggressively to get you the maximum compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and car repairs.
• Dealing with insurance companies: Insurance companies are known for minimizing payouts. An attorney can handle the communication, negotiate settlements, and ensure you don’t get shortchanged, especially in situations where fault might seem unclear due to the road rage element.
• Court representation (if necessary): If your case goes to court, our attorneys will represent you effectively, fight for your rights, and present compelling evidence to secure a favorable outcome.

At Larson Law, our Minot car accident attorneys can ease your burden during a difficult time, ensure your rights are protected, and help you recover the compensation you deserve for the physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by road rage incidents.

You don’t have to deal with the complexities of a road rage accident alone. Contact the experienced Minot car accident attorneys at Larson Law today. We can assess your case, gather evidence of the driver’s aggressive behavior, explore all legal options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer, call our offices or fill out our contact form. We handle accident cases on a contingency fee basis – meaning we don’t get paid until you get paid. We also maintain additional offices in Bismarck and Fargo.