If you’ve ever driven in Southern California, you know firsthand just how frustrating it can be. With traffic, construction, distracted drivers who are texting and eating and reading newspapers (we witnessed that once during rush hour on the 10 freeway!) a trip to the grocery store down the street can turn into a several hour affair.
It’s not surprising then, that driving in these conditions can leave a person frustrated and stressed. What is not acceptable is when the driver takes their aggression out on an innocent victim, such as a motorcyclist or cyclist who is obeying the rules of the road but just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While many instances of road rage do involve bicyclists and motorcyclists, automobiles are not in the clear. Let’s take the case of a recent road rage incident in Hollywood.
The altercation, which was caught on video by a driver who was not involved in the fist fight, shows one angry driver reaching out of his window and punching the passenger side of the other car. The cars then drove forward several feet, stopped, and both men got out of the car, swinging at each other. The driver who initiated the punches knocked the other driver to the ground, sending him into oncoming traffic where a van barely avoided hitting him.
A still taken from the video footage that caught a recent Los Angeles road rage fight.
According to reports, the attacker pounced on the other man, punching him repeatedly while he is still on the ground. The assailant returned to his car and drove off, leaving the other man to fend for himself.
What is road rage?
While this may sound like a crazy story, it is not unusual. An experienced personal injury attorney in Woodland Hills can share many stories about motorcyclists, bicyclists, and automobile drivers and passengers who were injured by the reckless, aggressive, and angry driving of another. Examples of road rage can include anything from rude gestures and verbal insults to deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner. Road rage can lead to serious auto collisions that result in injuries and even deaths.
What do you do if you were a victim of road rage?
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident (whether on your bike, motorcycle, or in your car) that was the result of another driver’s road rage, you may be able to recover financial compensation for the damages you suffered. For example, if your road rage accident required that you seek medical treatment and counseling for emotional pain and suffering, the associated bills may be recoverable with the help of an experienced auto accident attorney in Woodland Hills.
For more information on the types of financial compensation recoverable in a Woodland Hills auto accident, contact personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
