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Road Rage Accidents

Knoxville Attorney Compassionately Assisting Car Crash Victims

Road rage can cause some catastrophic injuries. Aggressive driving includes tailgating, shouting obscenities, rudely gesturing, and blocking other cars. Sometimes visible displays of road rage spur road rage in other drivers, resulting in negligent or intentionally unsafe driving by multiple parties. If you are hurt due to another driver's road rage, you may be able to recover damages. Car accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe can help Knoxville victims negotiate with insurers to pursue a favorable settlement or skillfully present your case to a jury if necessary.

Seeking Damages after an Incident of Road Rage

There are numerous statutes designed to promote safety on the road, but in the throes of road rage drivers often ignore these laws. If a driver violates a law designed to protect the public safety and thereby causes a car accident that results in injuries, the doctrine of negligence per se may apply. In other words, the violation of the statute would create a presumption that the driver was negligent. A police report and a traffic citation or conviction after the accident can be used to establish the violation.

In most car accident cases, compensatory damages may be available. These are damages that are intended to make the plaintiff whole. They may include economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are tangible costs and losses that can typically be proven by reference to documentation, such as medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, vocational rehabilitation, and household services. Noneconomic damages include costs and losses that naturally flow from the type of accident and injuries at hand. These may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.

In some cases, road rage causes a driver to act intentionally, maliciously, or recklessly. In Tennessee, the court may award punitive damages if a defendant has acted not just negligently, but with the conscious objective or desire to engage in a particular set of actions or cause an accident. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant and act as a deterrent. Someone is considered to act maliciously if he or she is motivated by hatred, spite, or ill will. Someone is considered to act recklessly if he or she is aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm but consciously disregards it.

The defendant's malicious, reckless, or intentional conduct must be proven not by the usual preponderance of the evidence standard, but by the much higher standard of clear and convincing evidence. Clear and convincing evidence is evidence in which there is no serious or substantial doubt about the correctness of any conclusions to be drawn.

Protect Your Rights after an Auto Accident by Consulting a Knoxville Lawyer

The Hartsoe Law Firm is dedicated to representing victims of motor vehicle collisions in Knoxville and the surrounding communities. Attorney Mark Hartsoe knows that insurers and attorneys for defendants tend to offer a victim less compensation than is warranted. They may even try to blame the victim for causing an accident, such as by doing something that caused the other driver to get angry. Road rage is not acceptable, and at the Hartsoe Law Firm we can take your case to trial if an insurer does not offer an appropriate settlement. For a free initial consultation, call 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form.


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I was on my way to Atlanta and a huge truck rear-ended me and knocked me off the side of the road. I was scared. Didn’t know what to do. I tried working with the insurance company. They are just difficult to work with. I had to call somebody to take care of me. So, My brother told me to call Mark Hartsoe. As soon as I called Mark Hartsoe, he let me know real quick that everything was going to be okay and that he would take care of everything. And, he did. He got me a great settlement. He took the worry off of me. Mickey Anderson
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I was hit coming home late at night by a drunk driver who took off. And the next day I was able to track down his vehicle and get the state police involved. At that point, a family friend recommended that I talk to Mark Hartsoe. Pretty much at that point, Mark handled the police, the insurance company and the guy who hit me. Settled with the actual person that hit me. Outside of that, everything came out great. Did not have to go to court. Got a great settlement. Got my car replaced. Got a check. Mark Hartsoe is my lawyer. Nate Holder
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I was involved in a motorcycle accident. It was a head-on collision. I broke my arm, injured by knee. I was out of work for a long time and had medical bills, other expenses. A personal friend handed me a card for Mark Hartsoe. I called Mark Hartsoe from the side of the road and he took care of everything. My case was settled out of court. I received a great settlement. Bike was totaled, motorcycle was replaced. It was easy, painless. About as painless as something like this can be. This is why my lawyer is Mark Hartsoe. John Lusinger
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I wanted to thank you for the excellent representation and your ability to handle the situation so well with such compassion and strength. We appreciate all of your help, concern and for answering my many questions. It has been a difficult road to travel but when we come across people like you, it really helps to lighten the load. We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate what you’ve done and your ability to handle the situation so well. S. Carter
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Thank you so much for all the work you did on our case. We received more than we expected. You were great through the whole time from the first meeting until the last. Thank you so very much. Sam & Judy Kachar
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