Road Rage: What Happens When an Offense Blinds You for That One Crucial Moment

It’s rush hour, and the line of red brake lights seems to go on forever. Your lane is ending, so you put on your blinker and attempt to merge. The driver next to you suddenly speeds up, nearly hitting the rear of the car in front of him to keep you from stealing his spot in the slow-moving traffic.

“He nearly ran me off the road! I can’t believe what that driver just did! I don’t have to take that!”

If this sounds familiar to you, chances are you’ve found yourself fighting against road rage a time or two. It’s a dangerous feeling, and one that can easily overpower a person caught up in the heat of the moment. Here are three things you should know about road rage:

It’s All About Me

Perhaps you felt slighted when that guy cut in front of you. Maybe that girl refused to let you merge. In either scenario, it’s easy to become upset and want to “get back” at a driver who you feel has somehow wronged you. A person who gives in to road rage is not necessarily an angry person by nature. In many cases, he or she is simply reacting to a perceived offense.

Blind With Rage

Granted, you won’t literally go blind. However, the old saying “blind with rage” rings true, figuratively speaking. A person who is in the midst of rage is not thinking clearly and may very well say and do things he or she will later regret. That momentary lapse of judgment clouds one’s vision and may end badly.

Matter of Seconds

Most road rage incidents are over within a matter of minutes, even seconds. All it takes is one dumb move reacting out of anger. This is particularly true if both drivers are reacting out of anger, compounding the potential for a serious Maryland car accident.

When another’s angry actions end in road rage and leave you injured in a car crash along the Beltway, you may be able to request compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver. If you believe you have a case, you should talk to an experienced Maryland car accident attorney who can help you prove your claims. To request a free consultation, call Nickelsporn and Lundin at (800) 875-9700.