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Motorcyclist Injured in Sarasota in Road Rage Incident

in Auto Accident, Personal Injury Attorneys, Schwed Law News

A motorcyclist in Sarasota was recently injured after another motorist deliberately swerved directly into the motorcyclist in a fit of road rage after the two had engaged in an argument. Although this blatant example of road rage is not commonly exhibited by drivers in Florida, it is more frequent than most people would think according to several studies. In addition, this incident is also a reminder of the severe consequences that can occur when one person’s temper overcomes reason while on the road. While cases of road rage can sometimes result in criminal charges, a lawsuit can also be filed against an individual if his or her reckless and careless actions result in the death or injury of another individual.

The Sarasota Accident and the Ensuing Search for the Driver

According to a report immediately after the accident by a local ABC News affiliate, and a second report that was released two days later after the driver was caught, a video taken by a bystander captured the entire series of recent events in Sarasota that culminated in the driver deliberately swerving directly into the motorcyclist. The video showed a man on a motorcycle yelling at the driver of a car to pull over after the two were seen arguing. According to an interview given by the motorcyclist to the local news media after the incident, the driver then threw a metal object at him and, instead of pulling over as requested, the driver swerved over a lane and directly into the motorcyclist’s bike. The driver then fled the scene of the accident after hitting the motorcyclist. Two days later, after an area-wide manhunt, tips from the public led deputies to the car’s driver. Deputies found his car parked behind a friend’s home. The car had been stripped of its doors, windows, and tag in an effort to hide the driver’s role in the accident. Deputies then arrested the driver for aggravated battery and driving without a license.

Road Rage: Common Both in Florida As Well as Across the United States

According to several reports, road rage accounts for a surprising number of accidents and traffic fatalities in both Florida and the wider United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 94 percent of all traffic accidents are caused by driver error; of those, 33 percent can be directly linked to actions typical of road rage, such as improper maneuvering and misjudging the space between vehicles.

Florida Law Regarding Aggressive Driving

Florida law does not explicitly address the issue of road rage, but instead it classifies certain actions that may be commonly understood by most people to constitute road rage under the more general heading of “aggressive careless driving.” A motorist is engaged in aggressive careless driving under Section 316.1923, Florida Statutes, if he or she does two of the following simultaneously or in short succession: (i) exceeding the posted speed; (ii) unsafely or improperly changing lanes; (iii) following another vehicle too closely; (iv) failing to yield the right-of-way as required under Florida law; (v) improperly passing another vehicle; or (vi) violating the commands given by traffic control and signal devices.

If you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who exhibits road rage of the type reflected in the recent Sarasota accident or who exhibits the type of aggressive careless driving behavior prohibited under Section 316.1923, then you would have the ability to file a lawsuit against the driver for whatever injuries you may have experienced, any pain and suffering caused by those injuries, as well as any other damages that driver’s conduct may have caused you.

Contact the Experienced Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Schwed Adams & McGinley, P.A.

Road rage is unfortunately a more common occurrence than most people would think. However, road rage can often result in serious injuries to an individual or other losses, like the totaled motorcycle in the recent Sarasota incident. Whether it’s road rage or simply the negligence of another driver that caused you to suffer injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Florida, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys of Schwed, Adams, & McGinley, P.A. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have more than 150 years of combined practice representing victims of all sorts of motor vehicle accidents, including those caused by motorists who were exhibiting road rage. Therefore, if you, a family member or a loved one have been injured as a result of another motorist’s road rage, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A today at 877-694-6079 or contact@schwedlawfirm.com for a free consultation.