Road Rage is Getting Out of Control in Texas

Almost everyone who drives has experienced road rage at some point in their life. Whether it is someone honking, making rude gestures, or cutting you off, aggressive driving is never pleasant. However, some road rage is much more dangerous than others. While it might be alarming to see someone make a rude gesture, a crash caused by road rage threatens your safety – not just your mental health. How do you pursue justice if you were injured by a road rage incident in Texas?

As you recover, consider discussing your legal options at a Texas personal injury law firm. The Garza Law Firm, PLLC is committed to helping injured victims, and our experienced injury lawyers know how dangerous road rage can be. Dora Alicia Garza is an experienced auto accident attorney in Texas who has spent her entire career helping injured plaintiffs. With our assistance, you may be able to hold aggressive drivers accountable for the damage they’ve caused. 

Aggressive Driver Swings Metal Post After Crash in Edinburg

In October of 2023, an aggressive driver in Edinburg exited his vehicle and retrieved a metal post from the back of his truck after a crash. He then proceeded to swing the metal post at another stationary vehicle, causing considerable damage and striking one of the occupants. 

This caused what first responders described as “major injuries,” and the victim required hospitalization. The aggressor was then arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Despite this individual’s rage, police later determined that he was actually at fault for the accident – having gone through a red light before crashing. 

Road rage incidents continue throughout Texas at a worrying pace. The Washington Post notes that since 2018, road rage incidents involving firearms have doubled. Recent cases in Texas have also involved knives, ice picks, bats, hammers, bricks, and even spears. 

Can You Sue Someone for Aggressive Driving in Texas?

If you were injured in a car accident caused by an aggressive driver, you can file a claim against the defendant in the same way as any other motorist. Texas utilizes an at-fault auto accident system, which means you must prove negligence if you want to sue an aggressive driver. In theory, this should be easy – as many aggressive drivers are clearly to blame for causing road rage incidents. 

For example, an aggressive driver may have gone through a red light before striking your vehicle. Perhaps they “brake-checked” you, causing you to slam into the back of their vehicle. Perhaps they cut you off while recklessly pursuing another driver, causing you to swerve and lose control. They might have been tailgating you before a collision. These are all clear examples of fault. 

Injuries caused by intentional acts could be more complex. The obvious example is an assault that occurs after your car accident. For example, an enraged driver might have attacked you with a baseball bat after your accident – causing traumatic brain injuries. Another example is an intentional ramming attack, which involves using a vehicle as a weapon. 

The issue here is that many car insurance policies do not cover injuries caused by intentional acts. The logic is that your car insurance should only cover “accidents,” and intentional attacks are clearly not accidents. The lack of coverage for intentional acts helps reduce fraud, and people have been known to stage car accidents in order to collect insurance benefits. 

Perhaps most notably, it is almost impossible to recover compensation for injuries if you were the initial aggressor. For example, you might have suffered serious injuries after attacking another motorist in Texas. Not only is a lawsuit impossible, but the other person will likely escape criminal charges due to Texas’ self-defense laws. 

If you are suffering from serious injuries after a road rage incident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you strive for fair compensation. Regardless of what the insurance companies might be telling you, it may be possible to recover compensation for assault-related injuries. At the very least, you should be able to pursue compensation for injuries caused by the initial collision. 

Contact an Established Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas

With help from the Garza Law Firm, PLLC, you may be able to hold aggressive drivers accountable for everything you were forced to endure. An auto accident can lead to missed wages, lost income, emotional distress, and many other damages. You may be able to pursue compensation for these damages by taking legal action alongside our experienced Texas injury lawyers. Once your injuries stabilize, reach out to Dora Alicia Garza or call our personal injury law firm at 956-329-1304 – and get started with an established injury attorney. 

Dora Alicia Garza

Dora Alicia Garza is a seasoned attorney based in Texas and the Founder of Garza Law Office, PLLC. She has built a respected practice across multiple areas of law, including criminal defense, family law, personal injury, guardianships & wills, estate planning & probate, immigration, debt defense and juvenile law. Learn more here.