Hire Los Angeles Litigation Lawyer if You are a Victim of Road Rage
Los Angeles is notorious for its busy freeways and roads, with traffic jams and accidents being an everyday reality. However, an added element makes the streets an even more dangerous place to be: aggressive drivers. Road rage is becoming more common and leaves a path of destruction in its wake. It happens more often than you would like to think, and nothing prevents you from being the next victim. Here is what you should do if this happens:
What is road rage? A Los Angeles litigation lawyer explains
According to a Los Angeles litigation lawyer, road rage is legally defined as an assault with a motor vehicle or dangerous weapon by a driver or passenger caused by an event on a roadway. Frustrated motorists lose their tempers after a perceived slight on the road. The simplest thing can set them off, such as you driving below the speed limit. Road rage perpetrators, like other criminals, are hard to spot. You never know when someone can turn into one and what will provoke them. However, they must face the criminal and civil consequences of their actions.
What to do when confronted by a road rage incident
A Los Angeles litigation lawyer recommends that you get out of the driver’s way as soon as possible. Drivers should not respond aggressively and escalate an already out of control situation. Avoiding eye contact and making gestures that will further aggravate the driver. To substantiate a legal claim for damages, document a road rage incident by calling 911 and describing the situation to the dispatcher while requesting police assistance. If you have a passenger, ask them to video record the incident, provided it is safe to do so.
Legal relief after a road rage incident
Any damages to a vehicle or injuries to drivers and their passengers after a road rage incident should form part of a civil claim. An experienced attorney will use evidence from the scene, such as police reports and video footage, to prove the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay the victim a settlement. Los Angeles litigation lawyerAs road rage is a criminal offense, victims might be called to testify in court about the event and how it has affected them. Road rage drivers are often fined and, in severe instances, jailed for their crimes.
What to do after a road rage incident
Your first act should be to hire an attorney to represent you in any civil claims that arise from the incident. This includes damages to property and injuries to yourself or any passengers. Jance Weberman has years of civil litigation experience. Weberman Law hires professional attorneys to assist clients as they traverse the often-intimidating legal processes after such events. Call (213) 386-9100 for a consultation today to get your claim settled.