Driving can be a stressful experience, and it’s normal to get frustrated by the traffic, road conditions, or even other people’s driving habits. However, some drivers let this frustration escalate into road rage. Road rage has been known to spiral out of control quickly and can even lead to criminal assault charges or gun violence. If you or a loved one are a victim of another’s road rage, we are here to help provide you with compassionate justice.
Understanding Road Rage: More Than Just Honking Your Horn
Road rage is more than frustration or aggressive driving and refers to a driver’s uncontrolled anger. This anger often involves a criminal element such as threats, verbal insults, and dangerous driving and can potentially lead to assault with a deadly weapon. Road rage is taken very seriously as it can escalate quickly to actions that endanger everyone on the road.
Behaviors that are associated with road rage are:
- Reckless driving
- Verbal threats
- Obscene gestures
- Using the car as a weapon to hit another vehicle
- Exiting the car to confront another driver
These behaviors can lead to serious criminal charges, accidents, injuries, and property damage. In these moments of road rage, it’s essential to remain calm, not engage with other drivers, and leave the road if you feel your safety is threatened.
When Road Rage Turns Criminal: Potential Charges in Indiana
In Indiana, reckless driving, physical confrontations, and injuries stemming from road rage can lead to criminal charges. Driving in a way that endangers people or property with little regard for everyone’s safety on the road can result in jail time and fines.
Victims of the consequences of road rage have the legal right to press additional charges beyond any accidents and seek compensation. Depending on how severe the road rage becomes, charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, and the legal consequences can be severe.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving in Indiana is a crime, and violations can lead to jail times and fines, plus misdemeanor charges and points on your driver’s license. These consequences vary by severity, but drivers can report reckless driving to the state police.
Battery and Assault
Road rage involves the intentional act of threatening, scaring, or harming another driver on the road. So, a car accident caused by road rage can be classified as intentional, not accidental.
Examples of battery and assault in a road rage incident:
- Intentionally striking a vehicle
- Driver exiting the vehicle to confront the other driver
- Forcing another vehicle off the road
Aggravated Battery
Road rage can become so out of control that it can lead to violent and aggressive behavior like aggravated battery with a deadly weapon or even murder. Scenes like the one in Indianapolis in early September teach us that road rage can lead to additional charges as you commit violent acts that stem from road rage.
Their road rage led to a verbal confrontation, a shooting, a hit and run, and both men now face jail and charges. While driving, you need to be able to tame your road rage and consider the consequences if you ever feel like you are acting out of character.
Stay Safe on the Road: Avoiding Road Rage Incidents
Staying safe on the road means driving with defensive driving habits and remembering that one instance of road rage can transform your life for the worse.
Key tips to keep in mind:
- -Don’t drive when you are upset or tired
- -Use your horn sparingly
- -Avoid engaging with aggressive drivers
Taking steps to avoid road rage incidents and confrontations with other drivers is the best way to keep bad situations from escalating to life-changing ones. Allow extra time in your commutes and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to reduce stress while trying to go about your day.
The Benefits of an Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney
Charges of reckless driving in Indiana should be taken seriously, and you shouldn’t face them without the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Law Office of B.D. Williams and its Indianapolis reckless driving lawyers have decades of experience who can put in the hard work to seek the best results for your case. Proper legal representation can make the difference in the charges and penalties you face. We are here to listen to your side of the story so we can fight for your charges. Contact us today for a free consultation and protect your freedoms. Call us at (317) 500-4857 to get started.
