# What Sets Road Rage Apart From Aggressive Driving? | Levine And Wiss

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The difference between road rage and aggressive driving is that aggressive driving is a traffic offense, while road rage is a criminal act. Aggressive driving happens when someone drives carelessly and puts others at risk. Road rage goes further. It’s when a driver gets so angry that they try to hurt or threaten someone on purpose.

1. Understanding Road Rage
2. What Is Aggressive Driving?
3. Why the Difference Matters for Your Injury Claim
4. How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
5. Learn More About the Difference Between Road Rage and Aggressive Driving

This difference matters more than most people realize, especially after a crash. Knowing which one caused your accident can impact how your case is handled and what you may be able to recover.

A skilled [Long Island car accident lawyer](https://888gothurt.com/long-island/car-accident-lawyer/) can explain the difference between road rage and aggressive driving, find out what caused your collision, and pursue full compensation for your injuries and losses. Let’s take a close look at the difference between these two acts and what an attorney can do to help you.

## Understanding Road Rage

To understand the difference between road rage and aggressive driving, it can be helpful to look at examples of each unsafe driving behavior. As a rule of thumb, road rage happens when anger turns into action. The driver isn’t just frustrated; they use their car, or even their body, as a way to threaten or hurt someone.

Some common examples of road rage include:

- Intentionally ramming or sideswiping another vehicle
- Running a car off the road
- Chasing another driver out of anger
- Getting out of the car to yell or start a fight
- Throwing objects at another vehicle
- Brandishing a weapon or making violent threats

What ties these together is intent. The driver means to cause fear or harm, and that choice can lead to criminal charges on top of any injuries they cause.

If you believe your accident and injuries were caused by road rage, reach out to an attorney today. A lawyer can meet with you to discuss your legal options and get started on your claim for damages.

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## What Is Aggressive Driving?

Aggressive driving is reckless behavior behind the wheel, but without the intent to hurt anyone. The driver is usually in a hurry, impatient, or just careless, and their choices put everyone around them at risk. It’s a traffic offense rather than a crime.

Some common examples of aggressive driving include:

- Speeding through traffic
- Tailgating
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Cutting off other drivers
- Ignoring the right of way

These are just a few examples of aggressive driving. The main factor that makes road rage and aggressive driving different is that an aggressive driver isn’t trying to harm anyone; they’re just driving carelessly. However, carelessness still causes serious crashes, injuries, and losses. If you’ve been hurt in a collision caused by a reckless driver, you may be entitled to damages.

A lawyer can meet with you to answer any questions you have about the difference between road rage and aggressive driving, and help you take the first step toward a fair settlement.

## Why the Difference Matters for Your Injury Claim

The difference between road rage and aggressive driving matters for your injury claim because it can change how your case moves forward. Road rage is a criminal act, which means the at-fault driver may face criminal charges along with a civil claim for your injuries.

In some cases, that intent to harm can even open the door to extra damages meant to punish the driver for their actions. Aggressive driving is usually considered negligence and is handled only as a civil case, since the driver didn’t mean to hurt you.

In both situations, you have the right to seek compensation. What changes is how fault is proven and what kind of evidence is required to be successful. Your lawyer can investigate the incident, determine what caused it, and gather the records, documents, and testimonies required to get the compensation you deserve.

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## How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

After a crash caused by road rage or aggressive driving, you shouldn’t have to handle the legal process on your own. In fact, you shouldn’t. Trying to file a claim without skilled assistance could lead to the insurance company getting you to say something that hurts your case.

Insurers also offer lowball settlement offers that seem attractive at first, but don’t come close to covering future expenses.

An attorney can review settlement offers, talk to insurers, and make sure your claim is protected at all times. Here’s what your lawyer will do to get the best recovery possible for you after a road rage or aggressive driving car crash:

- Investigate your crash and gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, footage of the crash, and accident reconstruction reports
- Determine who is at fault and prove liability
- Communicate and negotiate with the insurance companies
- Calculate how much your [insurance claim](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/insurance_claim.asp) is worth
- Take your case to court, if insurers fail to offer what you’re owed
- Answer any questions you have about the difference between road rage and aggressive driving or your case in general

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## Learn More About the Difference Between Road Rage and Aggressive Driving

If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by road rage or aggressive driving, the team at Levine And Wiss is ready to help. We have over 100 years of combined experience, and our attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured New Yorkers.

We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions, including what the difference is between road rage and aggressive driving.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options after an accident. We’ll meet with you to discuss what happened and map out your best course of action. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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