Elite Erie, Pennsylvania, Road Rage Accident Attorneys

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Is a Recognized Super Lawyer. If You Have Been Injured By a Driver with Road Rage, The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Experienced Team of Attorneys Could Help You Collect the Evidence Needed to Hold an Aggressive Motorist Accountable for Misconduct.

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Erie is among the most densely populated cities in Western Pennsylvania. During rush hour or a sports event, driving through the Flagship City can be downright frustrating. While most motorists manage to remain calm in heavy traffic, others may struggle to keep their temper in check.

Unfortunately, road rage incidents are on the rise nationwide. Over the course of a single seven-year period, impatient, angry, and frustrated drivers were responsible for hundreds of deaths and an estimated 12,610 injuries. Some researchers even believe that road rage-related accidents are becoming increasingly violent, with traffic-related shootings taking place almost every day.

When another driver loses their cool, they put themselves and everyone around them at risk. Aggressive driving, unexpected maneuvers, and even verbal abuse could cause or contribute to an accident. In the aftermath of a road rage collision, victims could suffer serious and potentially life-altering injuries.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. believes that nobody should be forced to pay out-of-pocket for another motorist’s misconduct. If you or a loved one has been injured by a reckless, aggressive, or negligent driver, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Since our founding, we have helped our clients secure more than $300 million in damages. We could help you, too. Please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Identifying Road Rage

Road rage and aggressive driving are unpleasantly common occurrences. Independent surveys have found that 8 out of every 10 Americans admit to having road rage or driving aggressively at least once in the preceding year. However, road rage and aggressive driving are broad terms that encompass a variety of potential offenses.

According to the American Automobile Association, aggressive driving could include the following actions:

1. Speeding in heavy traffic;
2. Tailgating;
3. Brake-checking;
4. Failing to yield to traffic signs and signals;
5. Changing lanes without using a turn indicator; and
6. Obstructing other vehicles that are attempting to change lanes or merge into traffic.

In most circumstances, aggressive driving can result in a moving violation. However, while aggressive driving could result in a traffic ticket, road rage constitutes a criminal offense and could be charged as assault, harassment, or assault with a deadly weapon.

The Keystone State has no single definition for what constitutes road rage, but it could include:

1. Obscene hand gestures;
2. Throwing objects at another vehicle;
3. Attempting or threatening to ram another car;
4. Sideswiping another automobile; and
5. Forcing another motorist off the road.

Road rage incidents sometimes escalate into further physical violence. In one recent incident, a motorist in Erie’s Westside neighborhood pursued a hit-and-run driver from Interstate 79 to a West 12^th Street parking lot. When the victim tried to confront the at-fault motorist, they were met with gunfire and hospitalized with critical injuries, including a bullet wound to the jaw.

Out-of-control motorists might try to enforce their own justice, but they can still be held accountable for misconduct. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s experienced team of attorneys could help you or a loved one assess your damages after an unexpected and painful road rage accident. Please call us today at 1-866-529-5334 to schedule your no-cost consultation.

Establishing Liability After An Erie Road Rage Collision

Under Pennsylvania’s no-fault insurance system, you must file a claim for damages with your own automobile insurance company. Your insurance company could help you cover the costs of medical treatment or physical rehabilitation.

Despite the Keystone State’s no-fault insurance laws, securing fair compensation could still prove difficult, especially if your incurred expenses exceed your policy limits. If your insurance company cannot reimburse your damages, you have the right to file a civil claim against the person who caused your injuries. However, even if you have a seemingly open-and-shut case, you will have to provide evidence of the other motorist’s misconduct.

If you file a personal injury lawsuit, you must be prepared to establish the following elements of most road rage-related car crash claims:

1. Duty of Care: The at-fault motorist had a legal obligation to operate their motor vehicle safely and in accordance with state law. This legal obligation is referred to as a duty of care.
2. Breach of Duty of Care: You must show that the other driver breached their duty of care by acting negligently. Under most circumstances, aggressive driving and road rage constitute negligence.
3. Causation: You can only recover damages in an Erie road rage claim if the other driver’s negligence was the direct or proximate cause of your accident-related injuries.
4. Damages: Even with the right evidence, you may only receive compensation if you sustained actual damages, which could include physical injuries, emotional pain and suffering, or wrongful death.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to providing unparalleled personal injury service. If you have been hurt in a road rage accident that was not your fault, our award-winning team of attorneys could help you establish the legal standing needed to take an aggressive driving claim to court. Please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a lawyer and explore your options for efficient legal relief.

Your Potential Damages After An Erie Aggressive Driving Collision

Pennsylvania’s civil courts recognize three types of damages. These damages include the following:

1. Special damages, or damages that relate to tangible and verifiable financial losses;
2. General damages, or damages that compensate intangible losses resulting from an accident; and
3. Punitive damages may be awarded to punish a particularly negligent wrongdoer.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you assess your special and general damages to recover compensation for losses, including, but not limited to:

1. Medical expenses;
2. Physical therapy;
3. Reconstructive surgery;
4. Counseling;
5. Emotional pain and suffering;
6. Lost income from work;
7. Diminished earning potential;
8. Post-traumatic stress disorder;
9. Disability; and
10. Wrongful death.

The Keystone State’s courts do not typically limit the damages available to most road rage accident victims. However, Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations restricts how long you have to take action and file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long to contact an experienced Erie attorney, you could lose your rights. Do not delay: call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 1-866-529-5334 to schedule your 100% free consultation.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 1-866-529-5334 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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