The Shoulder
The Shoulder
72
silent-bison-277

Another driver went full road rage on me — threw something at my car. What do I do now?

Still shaking a little writing this out. So I was on a surface street heading toward a busy intersection yesterday afternoon and this pickup truck just cuts me off out of nowhere — no blinker, barely any space between us. I had to brake hard to avoid rear-ending him. He then crawls along like nothing happened.

I went around him when I had a safe opening, and apparently that set him OFF. He starts tailgating me, honking, and then at a red light he actually gets out partially and chucks something — looked like a water bottle or thermos — right at my driver's side door. Dented it. I have a dashcam and the whole thing is on video, including him getting back in and following me for probably two more miles before turning off.

I drove straight to a gas station with cameras outside, called 911, and officers came and took my statement. I gave them the plate number and the dashcam footage. They said they'd look into it but weren't super specific about what happens next.

My door has a visible dent and my side mirror got clipped too. I'm also just... rattled. Like physically my neck and shoulders feel tense and I've had a headache since.

Questions I have:

  • Is this a criminal matter, a civil matter, or both?
  • Should I file through my own insurance or wait?
  • Is it worth talking to a personal injury attorney even if the damage "seems" minor?
  • How do I make sure the police actually follow through?

I've never dealt with anything like this. Any help appreciated.

13replies

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13 replies

  • 20
    bright-wolf-490

    Three things, in order: 1) Back up that footage TODAY. 2) See a doctor even if you feel mostly fine. 3) Do a free consult with a PI attorney before you talk to any insurance company. You've got solid evidence — don't fumble the follow-through.

  • 17
    hearty-crow-034

    Not legal advice, but generally speaking this could involve both criminal charges (vandalism, assault with a vehicle depending on your state) AND a civil claim for property damage and potential personal injury. The dashcam footage is genuinely valuable — preserve it in multiple places right now, like a cloud backup and a USB drive. Don't just leave it on the camera. If you're having physical symptoms, get seen by a doctor sooner rather than later. That documentation matters.

    • 7
      gentle-rider811

      This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.

  • 17
    candid-wolf-710

    I used to work on the claims side and I'll tell you — video evidence like yours changes everything. Adjusters know when a case is hard to dispute. That said, the other driver's insurer is going to try to minimize if they can. Don't accept any offer quickly, and document every single expense: tow, rental, medical visits, even over-the-counter stuff you buy because of the injury. Save every receipt.

  • 14
    bold-raven-879

    Did you get the other driver's insurance info at all, or just the plate? If the police don't end up tracking this person down quickly, recovering anything gets more complicated. Also — what state are you in? Laws on this stuff vary a lot and it changes what your options actually look like.

    • 8
      patient-neighbor852

      Did you have to escalate, or did they come around after the first ask?

  • 13
    daring-crane-186

    Honestly just glad you're okay. That sounds absolutely terrifying. Please don't minimize the emotional side of this either — being followed and having stuff thrown at you is scary even if nothing worse happened. Take care of yourself first.

  • 12
    steady-lynx-529

    The tension in your neck and shoulders plus a lingering headache after a scary, adrenaline-heavy incident? Go get checked out. Stress and sudden braking can cause soft tissue strain that sneaks up on you over 24-48 hours. Don't brush it off just because you didn't hit anything. You went through something traumatic and your body reacted to it.

    • 10
      careful-neighbor187

      Going through something similar right now. Did following up actually move the needle for you?

  • 12
    clever-wolf-432

    To answer your question about criminal vs. civil — they're separate tracks and one doesn't cancel out the other. The DA's office decides whether to pursue criminal charges; that's out of your hands mostly. But you can still file a civil claim for your damages regardless of what happens criminally. A lot of people don't realize they can pursue both. Also, ask the police department for the written incident report once it's filed — you'll want that for insurance and any attorney you consult.

  • 8
    tidy-elk-777

    Something really similar happened to me about a year ago — different circumstances but another driver went full unhinged and caused damage to my vehicle. One thing I learned fast: don't wait on the police to move at their own pace. Follow up with the report number, call the non-emergency line every few days. They won't always volunteer updates.

  • 7
    steady-crane-942

    Please be careful when you call your own insurer. Even if you're the victim, adjusters are trained to look for any reason to reduce what they owe you or slow-walk the claim. Don't give a recorded statement until you know your rights. I'd talk to an attorney first, even just a free consult.

    • 3
      curious-traveler229

      Going through something similar right now. Did following up actually move the needle for you?