The Dangers of Brake-Checking
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road rage is an intentional assault by a driver with a motor vehicle or weapon. One form of road rage is brake-checking, a dangerous and illegal practice in Ohio that can result in a severe rear-end collision. If you suffered injuries in a brake-checking accident, you need an attorney from Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Is Brake-Checking?
Brake-checking means suddenly stepping on your brakes. But is brake-checking illegal in Ohio? Yes. Whether they’re angry about something or want to test their car’s brakes, Ohio drivers cannot suddenly brake-check on state roads or highways due to the risk of rear-end accidents.
It is difficult for the driver behind that vehicle that brake-checked to prove they are not responsible for the accident. Why? Because most rear-end accidents are caused by the rear driver failing to maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the one in front.
Why Do People Brake-Check?
So, why do people brake-check? Drivers may do so for several reasons, including:
- Road Rage – Some drivers brake-check to express their anger at the driver behind them for following too closely.
- Communication – Some people may break-check to warn the driver behind them that they are following too closely, especially if they are stopped at a red light.
- Insurance Fraud – Brake-checking is one way to commit insurance fraud. Specifically, the driver may seek to intentionally cause an accident, as the rear driver is most often held responsible for rear-end accidents. It could also mean the driver is seeking medical coverage for pre-existing injuries they claim occurred in the accident.
Immediate Dangers of Brake-Checking
Because brake-checking is an aggressive form of road rage, it can cause significant injuries and property damage in brake-checking accidents. Some immediate dangers of brake-checking include:
- Rear-End Collisions – If the front driver stops without warning, the rear vehicle may not have time to stop and could collide with the car in front of them. A rear-end car crash can result in severe whiplash, a concussion, or other head or spinal cord injuries.
- Chain-Reaction Crashes – One rear-end motor vehicle accident can lead to another, resulting in a chain reaction or pile-up of multiple vehicles. This often occurs in inclement weather or when visibility is poor.
- Increased Road Rage – Road rage among drivers can quickly escalate when drivers respond to a brake-checking incident near their vehicle.
How to Safely Respond to Road Rage
Contact our office immediately if another driver brake-checked you and caused an accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you if the insurance company assumes you are at fault for the crash.
Your attorney will initiate an investigation to determine whether a brake check occurred. They will interview witnesses, obtain any traffic camera surveillance footage, and review the accident report as they seek evidence to establish that brake-checking was the cause of the accident.
Contact Our Ohio Car Accident Attorneys to Learn More
If you suffered injuries in a brake-checking accident, you need to know your rights and how to navigate the legal process. At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we have extensive experience helping accident victims like you seek the best outcome in their cases. Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our Ohio car accident lawyers.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
