Road Rage and Aggressive Driving Accidents in North Carolina

Road rage and aggressive driving accidents continue to pose serious safety hazards on North Carolina roads. Violent road rage incidents cause thousands of injuries and fatalities each year, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by an aggressive driver, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Hardison & Cochran has over 40 years of experience handling complex cases involving aggressive driving and road rage in NC.

Understanding Road Rage and Aggressive Driving Under North Carolina Law

North Carolina law addresses dangerous driving behaviors through several statutes, though there is no single law specifically titled “road rage.” Instead, these incidents fall under various traffic violations and criminal statutes.

Aggressive Driving in North Carolina

North Carolina General Statute § 20-141.6 defines aggressive driving as committing two or more of the following offenses during a single continuous period of driving:

• Running a red light or stop sign
• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Illegally passing another vehicle
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Speeding

Aggressive driving is a criminal offense in North Carolina, classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with penalties that include fines, points on a person’s driving record, possible jail time, and license suspension.

Road Rage Defined

Road rage refers to violent, aggressive, or intimidating behavior exhibited by drivers due to stress, frustration, or anger. Aggressive driving incidents can include:

• Yelling
• Using offensive gestures
• Deliberately blocking another vehicle
• Brake checking
• Cutting off other drivers
• Engaging in physical altercations
• Using a vehicle as a weapon

The distinction between aggressive driving and road rage often comes down to intent and severity. Aggressive driving incidents involve risky traffic violations, while road rage typically involves intentional acts meant to intimidate, threaten, or harm another person.

Related Criminal Charges

Road rage incidents can result in additional criminal charges beyond aggressive driving, including:

• Reckless driving (NCGS § 20-140): Operating a vehicle carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others
• Simple assault (NCGS § 14-33): Intentionally causing or attempting to cause bodily harm to another person
• Assault with a deadly weapon (NCGS § 14-32): Using a vehicle to threaten or injure another person
• Hit and run (NCGS § 20-166): Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to exchange information or render aid

Common Types of Road Rage Accidents

Road rage and aggressive driving manifest in various dangerous behaviors that frequently result in serious accidents, some of the most common including:

Tailgating Accidents

Following too closely is one of the most common aggressive driving behaviors among North Carolina drivers. Tailgating reduces reaction time and often leads to rear-end collisions. These accidents can cause whiplash, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

High-Speed Collisions

Excessive speeding and racing dramatically increase both the likelihood and severity of accidents. High-speed impacts often result in catastrophic injuries or traffic fatalities.

Sideswipe and Lane Change Accidents

Aggressive drivers frequently weave in and out of traffic. They may change lanes unsafely or fail to check for other road users. This aggressive behavior can cause sideswipe collisions or force other vehicles off the road.

Intersection Crashes

Running red lights and stop signs to get ahead of other drivers causes devastating T-bone and angle collisions at intersections. These crashes often result in serious injuries due to the limited protection on vehicle sides.

Intentional Collision Accidents

In extreme cases, enraged drivers intentionally ram other vehicles or attempt to run drivers off the road. These deliberate acts can result in severe injuries and criminal charges, including assault with a deadly weapon.

Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups

Aggressive driving creates a domino effect. One driver’s reckless behavior can trigger a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles, particularly on highways and in heavy traffic conditions.

What to Do in an Aggressive Driving Accident

If you are involved in an accident caused by aggressive driving or road rage in Raleigh, NC or elsewhere in the state, take key steps to protect your safety and legal rights.

First, move to a safe location and call 911 if the other driver appears threatening. Report the crash to law enforcement and describe the behavior that led to the accident. Try to stay calm to avoid further escalating the situation.

Document the scene with photos, note vehicle details, and record any visible injuries. Gather witness names and contact information. Seek medical attention right away, since some injuries appear later, and records can help link them to the crash.

Avoid engaging with the aggressive driver and focus on staying safe. Before speaking with insurance companies, contact an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process.

Proving Fault and Liability in Road Rage Accident Cases

Successfully recovering compensation in this type of personal injury claim requires proving that the aggressive driver’s actions caused your injuries. This begins with showing that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through aggressive or reckless behavior, and directly caused your damages.

Strong cases rely on strong evidence, such as:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Traffic camera or dashcam footage
• Cell phone records
• Medical documentation linking injuries to the crash

Citations for driving aggressively, speeding, or reckless driving further support fault, and contributing circumstances codes help clarify the officer’s findings.

Criminal charges or convictions against the other driver can strengthen your civil claim. Insurance companies often try to reduce liability by shifting blame or questioning injuries, making strong legal representation essential to counter these tactics.

Compensation Available for Road Rage Accident Victims in NC

Victims of aggressive driving and road rage accidents may recover several types of compensation. Economic damages cover financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs tied to recovery.

Non-economic damages address physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving intentional violence or extreme recklessness, North Carolina courts may award punitive damages to punish and deter wrongful conduct.

How Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers Can Help with Your Road Rage Accident Case

At Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers, we have spent more than 40 years protecting injured North Carolina residents. Founded by Benjamin T. Cochran, our firm focuses on injury and disability law and understands how to investigate aggressive driving cases and hold reckless drivers accountable.

Our results include $3 million for a driver with traumatic brain injury and $1.4 million for a man hit by a drunk driver. Most important to us is what our satisfied clients have to say about us, such as:

“I would recommend Hardison & Cochran to everyone and use them again if/when I ever need them! Very professional. Great with communication and overall just get the job done! They answered any and all questions I had to the fullest extent and I was more than happy with my results! Thank you Hardison & Cochran!”

Lindsey B.

We handle investigations, manage insurance communications, and prepare every case for trial. With seven North Carolina offices, we remain accessible. Contact us for a free consultation.