Los Angeles and several large cities in Southern California are characterized by chaotic traffic. In this chaos, it is common for some motorists to get angry and create unpleasant situations. Knowing how to deal with an aggressive driver can give you a great advantage in avoiding not only bitter moments but even accidents and serious injuries.
In this article, we will give you some tips on what to do if a person falls into road rage, and how to react if that driver becomes violent with you. If you are still in an accident and want to receive compensation for your accident, call the car accident attorneys at Kiran M Law Group at 323-760-7605 . Ask for a free consultation to find out how we can help you make your claim.
5 Tips on How to Deal with an Aggressive Driver
TRY TO STAY CALM
Try not to catch the other person’s anger. Keep in mind that aggressive involvement will not only potentially put you in danger, but will also make you responsible if the situation escalates. If the victim of the aggressive driver is another person on the road, do not intervene either: you will probably only endanger yourself.
An aggressive driver is like any other hazard on the road; as if it were an obstacle or a bump in the road. The best thing you can do is ignore it and move on as safely as possible. Stay away and if necessary, call 911 as soon as it is safe for you to do so.
DO NOT ARGUMENT WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER
If, for example, you were bumped into and the other person becomes aggressive, try not to argue with them. Try to take care of your injuries and stay safe from the aggressive driver. If you notice that he or she is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, keep verbal and visual communication to a minimum. As we always say, do not apologize or over talk, as in any other collision, this can be used against you when making a claim.
Even if you feel threatened, try not to argue or fight with the person. Be the adult in the situation and remain calm and composed. Prioritize your safety and that of the people around you. Try, despite the other person’s anger, to ask for their name, phone number, driver’s license, and insurance information. No matter how angry you are, you have to give him that information. Call 911 to report the accident and follow all the steps required for a common car accident.
DO YOU FOLLOW HIM? DO THIS
An aggressive driver may follow you. If that happens, don’t panic and don’t react to the other’s aggressiveness. On the contrary, we recommend:
Do not get out of the car
Stay inside the vehicle and do not expose yourself to potential physical attack. Also avoid stopping, much less trying to reason or argue with the aggressor. An angry person can misinterpret even the noblest gesture.
Do not drive to your home or work
If, in addition to being aggressive, the other driver is an unstable person, you do not want him to know where you live or work. Drive to a place where there are the most witnesses or better yet: a police station.
Search the GPS for the nearest police station and go directly to it. That will likely cause the driver to leave at his own expense or have officers take care of him.
Be Noticed Around You
Honk, flash your lights, or do anything else that gets the attention of people around you. This can cause the aggressive driver to stop pursuing you or, if he continues to do so, there may be witnesses who can eventually help you.
CALL THE POLICE
Contact 911 not only to report the abuser but also because, if there is a crash or other type of accident, you are legally required to contact the police; especially if:
• Property damage exceeds $500
• If there are bodily injuries or even a deceased person.
When the police arrive, stay calm and cooperate with them. They will take note of your behavior and everything will be documented in the incident report. If the driver continues to attack you, you can also tell him that you called the police: this may calm him down.
