Oklahoma Drivers Ranked Fourth in the Country in Road Rage

A new study from Forbes Advisor reveals the most confrontational drivers across the nation – and perhaps in a surprise – Oklahoma cracks the top five in road rage. The publication surveyed 5,000 drivers across the country on some key metrics regarding road rage and confrontational driving to come up with their list.

Forbes notes that the top five states with the worst road rage are:

1. Utah
2. Missouri
3. Colorado
4. Oklahoma
5. New Mexico

Nevada, Indiana, Maryland, Indiana, Washington, and Delaware round out the top ten.

What is road rage?

Road rage, or confrontational driving, behaviors include the following:

• Honking
• Tailgating
• Making rude or offensive gestures
• Cutting drivers off on purpose
• Yelling, insulting, cursing, making threats
• Exceeding the speed limit to block cars from changing lanes
• Following cars and getting out of their vehicles to yell at or fight with others
• Bumping, ramming into or otherwise damaging other cars on purpose
• Forcing other cars off the side of the road
• Pointing or shooting a gun

Per the Oklahoman, “In the survey, 43% of Oklahoma respondents reported incidents of other drivers exceeding the speed limit to block their car from changing lanes. More than 20% reported knowing someone injured in a road rage incident.”

Why do people have road rage?

Survey respondents were also asked if they ever experienced road rage themselves. The Oklahoman reports, “Of survey respondents who admitted to confrontational driving tactics, 31% cited the reason as a response to the other person driving inappropriately. Respondents also cited stress, 24%, heavy traffic, 23%, and running late, 19%, as factors.”

Other reasons drivers listed for becoming confrontational on the road include:

• The other driver was driving slowly
• I was already angry
• The other driver caused it
• I was exhausted
• Most other drivers are incompetent

The data for this survey was collected by Forbes Advisor between August 17 and 26, 2022.

Does insurance cover a road rage incident?

If you’re involved in a car accident caused by road rage, the other driver’s liability insurance will not cover your damages and losses, as the “accident” is actually an intentional act. The at-fault driver may face criminal charges, but this will not cover the extent of your losses.

The good news, though, is that you can make a claim for damages through your own insurance provided your actions were not intentional. In cases like these, you can look to your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance to cover medical expenses and property damage.

It can take a while for a UM/UIM claim to get paid out, however, so for your immediate needs, you can rely on MedPay coverage to take care of your expenses. MedPay is completely no-fault, so even if you shared liability in the accident, you can still access this coverage for your needs. Note, however that MedPay only covers medical bills; it will not cover costs for lost wages, your pain and suffering, or any other losses you may have. On the bright side, MedPay is not subject to subrogation, which means that if you win your injury lawsuit, you don’t have to pay it back.

Because UM/UIM coverage and MedPay are both optional add-ons to your policy, we always recommend that you purchase as much as you can afford. For UM/UIM coverage, you can purchase as much as your policy coverage; that means if you have a 25/50/25 split, you can buy coverage in the same amount. MedPay coverage is usually offered in smaller amounts unrelated to your auto policy minimums, so you have options about how much or how little to buy.

Your Oklahoma City car accident attorney can discuss the various options available to you in a free consultation.

Will my insurance go up after an accident?

After an accident, the other party (or even well-meaning friends and family) may tell you not to report your accident to the insurance company because your rates will go up. This could not be further from the truth.

Per Okla. Stat. tit. 36 § 941:

No insurance carrier who issues motor vehicle insurance policies in this state shall assign driving record points, cancel, refuse to issue or renew, or charge a higher premium rate for any motor vehicle liability or collision insurance policy for the reason that the insured has been involved in a motor vehicle collision and was not at fault.

If you’re not at fault for a road rage accident, your insurance rates cannot go up. Talk to our skilled lawyers to find out more about this.

What should I do if I’m caught in a road rage incident?

Experiencing a road rage incident can be dangerous, as well as escalate quickly. It’s important to stay calm and know what to do. Keep the following in mind if you find yourself the target of road rage:

• Keep calm and avoid escalating the situation. Don’t engage with the other driver, don’t honk your horn or flash your lights, and don’t make any offensive gestures back.
• Keep a safe distance from the other driver. If they’re tailgating you or driving aggressively around you, let them pass. Don’t confront them or try to block their way.
• Avoid eye contact with the other driver. They may take this as a sign of aggression and escalate the situation
• If you feel threatened or the driver is a danger to other drivers, call the police and provide the license plate and description of the vehicle.
• If the driver approaches your vehicle, lock the doors and roll up the windows. Refuse to engage or respond to any threats.

Safety should be your utmost priority in a road rage situation. Remember – keep calm, don’t escalate, and seek help.

What’s the value of my road rage accident claim?

The value of your Oklahoma City car accident claim can vary widely, depending on the circumstances of your accident, the severity of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, the extent of property damage, lost income, and other damages related to your accident. Typically, however, our attorneys will demand compensation for:

• Medical expenses, past and future
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Wrongful death

To determine the value of your claim, it’s important to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options. They can also help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company or pursue legal action if necessary.

At Cunningham & Mears, we understand how to handle car accident cases and we’re ready to handle yours. If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash caused by road rage or aggressive driving, let us help. Simply call our office or submit our contact form to set up a free case evaluation with a skilled Oklahoma City lawyer. We can walk you through the legal claims process and work to ensure you secure the compensation to which you are entitled.