[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/the-dangers-of-brake-checking\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/the-dangers-of-brake-checking\/","headline":"The Dangers of Brake-Checking","name":"The Dangers of Brake-Checking","description":"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...","datePublished":"2024-09-23","dateModified":"2025-08-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/author\/julius\/#Person","name":"Julius Amourgis","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/author\/julius\/","identifier":50,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e49a6abb900684fc2323b7043eaceeb537475408ebc3a2cefbbe0ce24506d3b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e49a6abb900684fc2323b7043eaceeb537475408ebc3a2cefbbe0ce24506d3b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amourgis & Associates Attorneys at Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/amourgisassoc.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Logo-header-1.png","url":"https:\/\/amourgisassoc.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Logo-header-1.png","width":425,"height":87}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-dangers-of-break-checking.png","url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-dangers-of-break-checking.png","height":500,"width":700},"url":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/the-dangers-of-brake-checking\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":557,"articleBody":"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\u2019re angry about something or want to test their car\u2019s 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 \u2013 Some drivers brake-check to express their anger at the driver behind them for following too closely. Communication \u2013 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 \u2013 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-CheckingBecause 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 Road rage among drivers can quickly escalate when drivers respond to a brake-checking incident near their vehicle.How to Safely Respond to Road RageContact 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 MoreIf 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."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Dangers of Brake-Checking","item":"https:\/\/www.amourgis.com\/blog\/the-dangers-of-brake-checking\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]