Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
A 54-year-old Tampa, Florida man is accused of partaking in some angry and aggressive driving after work on Monday afternoon.
According to reports, the man decided to take matters into his own hands because he was upset about “getting run off the road.”
According to WTSP.com, the man rammed a marked Tampa Airport Police cruiser before leading additional officers trailing him on a 3 and half mile chase in his 2007 Ford Mustang. Police reports allege the man hit at least five other motorists intentionally along the way.
When the man finally stopped his car, he supposedly climbed on top of his Mustang and began jumping from car to car, and then attempted to direct traffic.
Streams of phone calls were made by victims and witnesses to 911.
Tampa Police finally caught the man around 7:30 p.m. He allegedly stabbed an officer with his car keys before he was taken down.
The man was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, obstructing an officer with violence and 16 counts aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for each time he slammed his car into someone else’s vehicle.
It was not reported whether anyone was seriously injured during the incident.
The man was taken to Falkenburg Road Jail with bail set at $142,500.
Road rage can result in more than just property damage and personal injury. It can lead to all kinds of problematic situations, and even end with criminal implications. While the man in this case was arrested on criminal charges, any victims suffering injuries from his intentional aggression on the road have the option of further pursuing their injury claim in civil court to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages can be sought as a means to punish the wrongdoer when his or her actions demonstrate a willful wrongdoing despite possible penalties.
Unfortunately, road rage is an all too common problem throughout the United States. Many drivers take out their stress, anxiety and anger on other drivers without realizing the danger they pose to other motorists. In a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, it was found that more than 1,500 people are injured or killed every year as a result of road rage or aggressive driving. Dangerous driving is indeed a form of negligent or reckless behavior, which is unacceptable under any circumstances. Those who are careless of others safety on the roadways must be held accountable. If you have suffered injuries due to an accident involving road rage, you can count on the Florida Car Accident & Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton to be on your side and fight for what you rightfully deserve.
Road rage accidents can often take drivers by surprise, but there are ways to tell if road rage played a part in your wreck. Noticeable signs of aggressive driving include obscene gestures, flashing headlights, deliberate destruction of other cars and verbal or physical abuse. If you noticed any of these signs in your accident, or if evidence points to aggressive driving, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a car accident due to an aggressive driver showing signs of road rage, contact the Florida Road Rage Collision Lawyers at the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, LLC online or call our Tampa office at 813-221-3200 or dial us toll-free at 1-866-608-5529.