The longer you've been driving, the more likely you are to encounter someone in a fit of road rage. While most of the time, road rage doesn't result in more than just angry words, sometimes it can escalate to the point where an accident occurs. Here are some tips on dealing with road rage and what to do if the other person purposely causes an accident.

Causes of Road Rage

There's no exact cause of road rage and many articles online try to explain the reason for it in various ways. Often, it's considered an emotional disorder where the person may have a need for control or has trouble controlling his or her anger in everyday situations. They often have trouble dealing with minor annoyances on the road. While all of us experience frustration with other drivers, people who engage in road rage take it to another level and can become aggressive.

How to Handle an Aggressive Driver

If you find yourself dealing with someone who is obviously driving aggressively, then try to remove yourself from the situation. If someone is tailgating you, for example, pull out of the lane or to the side of the road and let the person go by. If someone is honking or yelling at you, don't engage with them as it will escalate the situation. Do your best to drive as courteously as possible even if many of the people on the road do not.

What to do if an Accident Happens

If you are in a road rage accident, don't get out and confront the driver. Instead, stay in your car with the windows rolled up and door locked unless you feel it is unsafe (such as if the car is on fire). Call the police immediately and wait until they arrive before getting out of your vehicle. If the other driver leaves the scene, try to get a license plate number and detailed description if possible. Be sure to get a copy of the police report as it will help you if you wish to pursue legal action.

Just about anyone can be an aggressive driver and being a victim of it can happen at any time. Even if you do your best to avoid getting into a confrontation, some drivers will still act aggressively and cause an accident. That's when you need to hire an experienced car accident attorney to help you get a case together. That way, you can get compensated and the driver pays for his or her behavior.