Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Road Rage Victim

I was driving when an individual ran in front of me. I honked my horn at him and he turned around and threw something at my car. I was stupid and opened door to check vehicle for damage because it is my company vehicle. The man got in my face and started threatening me. As I was trying to dial 911 he ripped my phone from my hands and broke it. As I tried to yell for help and move the other direction he punched me in the side of the face/head. An officer witnessed the battery on me and persued the guy who ran. He caught him and the man was arrested on a variety of charges. The man I claimed I hit him with my vehicle which I did not and the police investigated at the scene and determined no accident had taken place. I am now afraid this man is setting up a possible civil case against me. What should I do now in case that is the direction he is trying to take.


Asked on 1/15/09, 1:30 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Lewis Dunton Dunton Matthey, LLC

Re: Road Rage Victim

As the other lawyers have stated, do not worry. The police report should reflect the injuries you sustained, the damage to your phone, the damages to your company car, the non-existence of injuries to the perpetrator, and the fact that he ran from the scene. Unfortunately, someone can �sue� someone else for anything but that does not mean the case has merit.

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Answered on 1/16/09, 8:58 am
Gordon Fenderson Fenderson Law Firm

Re: Road Rage Victim

There is not much you can do. Don't worry though. It does not sound like there is much of a case against you if the guy ran from the scene.

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Answered on 1/15/09, 2:37 pm
Hunter Chamberlin Chamberlin Butler & Crowe, P.A.

Re: Road Rage Victim

The best thing you can do at this point is cooperate with the police and the state attorneys' office. If he does file a civil suit against you, the criminal charges against him may be used to undermine his civil claims. Also, much of the discovery in the criminal case may demonstrate that there was no accident. That discovery, depositions, police reports, and other materials can be used to defend against a civil suit later.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

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Answered on 1/15/09, 3:27 pm


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