Family Sues After Road Rage Incident in New Jersey

Road rage is a serious problem in New Jersey, and it can cause various injuries to innocent motorists. Drivers should always strive to remain calm on the road. If they fail to keep their emotions in check, reckless driving becomes more likely – and injuries quickly follow. A recent lawsuit involving road rage highlights just how dangerous these incidents can be. If you were injured in a road rage incident, a New Jersey car accident lawyer may be able to help.

New Jersey Sues After Loved One Shot in Road Rage Incident

In early October of 2024, the family of a deceased victim sued various defendants – claiming that the shooting could have been prevented. The victim is now paralyzed, and he was shot by a police officer in May of 2024.

The incident began when police arrived at a multi-vehicle crash on Route 73. They found a man with a gunshot wound, and he was eventually taken to a nearby hospital. After an investigation, it was determined that he had been shot by an off-duty New York Police officer. For whatever reason, the police officer decided to discharge his weapon into the man’s vehicle during a road rage altercation. Plaintiffs allege that he then left the scene, stopped for gas, and returned home. After reloading his firearm, he went to work the next day as if nothing had happened.

Two weeks later, the officer was arrested and charged with various crimes – including attempted murder. While criminal proceedings are still ongoing, the family has decided to sue numerous parties in connection to this incident. These include not only the defendant but also the New York Police Department and even the Mayor of New York.

The plaintiffs claim that the police department hired the officer despite obvious issues with mental health and alcoholism. In response, the officer’s attorney claims that there is “much more to the story” than initial reports indicate. NBC News reached out to the mayor’s office and the NYPD, but they did not provide any comments on the pending litigation.

Can I Sue for Road Rage in New Jersey?

Road rage is often a criminal offense. Potential charges include reckless driving, vehicular assault, vehicular manslaughter, and even attempted murder. These charges are almost guaranteed if someone discharges their weapon at another driver while on the road.

That being said, road rage can also lead to civil lawsuits. Road rage may lead to highly dangerous and irresponsible behavior.

One example is “tailgating,” which often occurs when drivers become infuriated at other motorists. You might find yourself in a situation where a driver is following you at an unsafe distance. Drivers often do this while trying to force motorists to speed up. It goes without saying that tailgating is highly dangerous, and it can easily cause rear-end collisions. If you were injured because someone was tailgating you, consider your options alongside a personal injury lawyer.

Another dangerous example of road rage is “brake-checking.” This occurs when lead vehicles suddenly slam on the brakes, causing panic for following motorists. Often, this is a direct response to tailgating – and drivers may brake-check in order to “push back” against tailgaters. However, brake-checking is a highly irresponsible maneuver – and it can cause serious crashes.

If someone brake-checked you, you might have been forced to swerve and avoid an impact. As a result, you might have veered into another lane – and you may have collided with another vehicle as a result. In certain situations, brake-checking drivers may be at fault for these collisions.

With all that being said, proving dangerous road rage behavior could be challenging. A driver who brake-checked you might claim that they never even touched their brakes – and that you slammed into them due to your own recklessness. Someone who tailgated you might claim that they were following at a safe distance – and that you suddenly swerved into their path.

In these types of situations, injury lawyers can help drivers gather the necessary evidence to prove negligence.

Can a Car Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Help?

A car accident lawyer in New Jersey may be able to help those who have been injured on the road. Whether you were harmed by road rage, drunk driving, or any other factor, you should be able to pursue compensation for a crash that was not your fault. Of course, your route toward compensation depends entirely on your unique circumstances – and an online article may only provide vague answers. For more personalized legal guidance, consider a consultation with Lependorf & Silverstein today.