Aggressive Driving in Washington

Posted Friday, February 23, 2018 by Chris Thayer

Aggressive driving, also called road rage, is a serious problem in the United States. We all know it when we see it - tailgating, cutting another driver off, obscene hand gestures, etc. In fact, aggressive behaviors such as these account for two-thirds of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Road Rage Incidents in Washington

In June 2017, a Subaru driver was stuck in traffic on Highway 516 outside of Kent. According to the Washington State Patrol, she became frustrated when several drivers illegally passed her on the shoulder. She herself moved partially onto the shoulder as a Jeep Cherokee approached. The Jeep moved farther over on the shoulder to avoid the Subaru, but she then intentionally struck the Jeep multiple times, according to police.

While both drivers received tickets, the Subaru driver’s reaction is a clear example of road rage.

In December 2017, a 20-year-old Jeep driver died in what the Washington State Patrol described as an . Witnesses told police she was cut off by a red pickup truck while driving north on Interstate-5. The Jeep driver lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the center divider. Her side of the car was smashed in. A 25-year-old passenger sustained minor injuries.

More and more road rage incidents involve guns, according to a 2017 report released by a nonprofit news organization. One such incident recently occurred on Interstate-5 at the border between King and Pierce counties. According to the Washington State Patrol, a woman driving a motorcycle and a man driving a car pulled over into the left lane and got into a physical fight. The motorcyclist pulled out a gun and shot the other driver. He died at the scene.

Were You Injured by an Aggressive Driver?

You are entitled to compensation for your injuries if you were injured by an aggressive driver in Washington. You only have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Be sure to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible, but always seek medical attention first.

Also, keep in mind that Washington is a comparative fault state, which means that if you were partially at fault for your injuries, any damages awarded to you will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if the jury determines that you were 20% at fault, you will only recover 80% of the damages.

Washington also does not place a cap on the amount of damages that you can receive. This includes compensation for noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering. (Economic damages are easily quantifiable, like medical expenses, while noneconomic damages are more subjective.) An experienced compensation can help recover the compensation that you deserve.

Contact Us Today

Contact one of our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation if you were injured by an aggressive driver. Our experienced attorneys will help you recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.