Anyone who regularly drives is likely to have experienced road rage, either in themselves or in other drivers. Getting angry behind the wheel is a common phenomenon, but people choose to act on their anger in different ways. While some people manage to control their rage, others lash out at other drivers or pedestrians.
Depending on what you do, acting out during a road rage incident may get you arrested and charged with serious crimes. One recent example involved a 19-year-old man in San Diego who allegedly got involved in a road rage altercation that began in a fast food restaurant drive-thru and continued on private property, where the teenager allegedly rammed his vehicle into another man, fatally injuring him; he then fled the scene. His actions now have him facing charges that could put him in prison for decades.
What Types Of Crimes Arise From A Road Rage Incident?
Depending on the circumstances, drivers may be charged anywhere from misdemeanor exhibition of speed and reckless driving to felony vehicular manslaughter and may even face murder charges in some cases. A road rage incident may also involve firearms, which opens up the possibility for criminal charges involving illegal possession of a weapon. People may also get charged with different kinds of assault. Remember that it's possible to face assault charges even if a driver didn't come into contact with another person (either personally or with a vehicle), so long as the actions the driver took could have led to violent contact. If the vehicle was used as the weapon during the assault and the crime is deemed a felony, the DMV is required to revoke the driver's license for the rest of his/her life.
I Am Facing Criminal Charges. What Should I Do Next?
If you've been charged with any crime during an incident of road rage, you need to contact an experienced criminal attorney. Sometimes a road rage incident gets out-of-control, beyond what you ever intended. Other times, you get swept up in another person's attack and need to defend yourself. If you live in or around the areas of Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Corona and Riverside, call our office to schedule a free consultation. We can help!