Hostile Motorists Archives - Gary Brustin

Bicyclists – Beware of Road Rage

Posted on December 10, 2015November 18, 2019 by Gary Brustin

Road rage describes aggressive driving or actions by a motorist with the intent to cause harm to someone else who is sharing the road. These actions are usually triggered when the driver is already feeling stressed or agitated about outside factors, such as running late to work or getting caught in traffic. Road rage can result in criminal charges against the driver ranging from reckless driving to assault with a deadly weapon. Unfortunately, road rage incidents are all-too-common in Los Angeles, and can be especially dangerous for bicyclists. In addition to good bicycle safety practices, it’s important for riders to know how to respond in the event of road rage.

The best way to avoid a road rage altercation is to be alert while riding. Avoid vehicles that appear to be driving erratically or have a driver that looks to be agitated. If a vehicle engages in taunting or aggressive behavior while you are on your bicycle the urge may be great to reciprocate, but it’s your responsibility to respond in a way that does not lead to an altercation or injury.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to avoid an altercation, another driver will lash out. If this happens – especially if you experience personal injury or property damage as a result – it’s essential that you are able to accurately recall critical information and details. If possible, take a few pictures or videos using your phone, but only if it can be done discretely as not to appear antagonizing to the other person involved. Also, take note of information such as license plate numbers, the location where the road rage occurred, and anyone who may have witnessed the event.

If you are injured as a result of road rage, do not leave the scene. Call 911 for help immediately.

Section 21200 of the California legal code states that a person riding a bicycle has all the rights and is subject to all the same provisions as a driver of a motor vehicle. If you were in an accident that you believe was the result of someone violating these rights or experiencing road rage, you need an attorney who specializes in representing injured bicyclists. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Cyclist Blamed for Serious Taxi Accident

Posted on August 26, 2013November 23, 2019 by Gary Brustin

A cabdriver involved in a New York taxi accident that resulted in the amputation of the leg of a British tourist, has blamed a bicyclist who he says banged on his car and behaved aggressively towards him, for the accident.

The bicyclist is a messenger who is being dragged into the accident that has made headlines in the Big Apple. According to reports, the cab ran up on the curb, and struck the British tourist, a 23-year-old woman who had just arrived in the city on holiday. The woman suffered serious leg injuries, and had to have her leg amputated.

According to the taxi driver, the messenger had behaved very aggressively towards him, and had banged his car just before the accident. The cab driver claims that the noise startled him, and he slammed on the accelerator pedal, running up the curb.

Investigators are particularly looking at the role of the bicyclist / courier messenger in causing this accident. Not surprisingly, the taxi driver’s federation, are rooting for the taxi driver, and are making claims about the dangers of speeding bicyclists on the roads. According to the Federation of Taxi Drivers, taxi drivers are often in danger from speeding bicycles.

California bicycle accident lawyers have recently found a very disturbing trend in which bicyclists are being blamed for accidents that often don’t even involve them. There seems to be a very hostile attitude that targets bicyclists, and this sort of attitude is being seen not just in California, but across the country. Bicyclists are a very vulnerable section of the population in that there are very few loud voices advocating the rights of bicyclists, and protecting them during incidents like these.

Police Investigate Harassment after Bicyclist Video Goes Viral

Posted on October 2, 2012November 23, 2019 by Gary Brustin

A video posted on YouTube shows a pair of bicyclists in Colorado being harassed and honked at incessantly by an SUV driver. The video has gone viral, and has focused attention on the kind of harassment and abuse that bicyclists very often face.

In the video, the 2 bicyclists are seen riding their bicycles at the side of the road, leaving plenty of space for the large SUV to pass through. However, the SUV driver has other plans. He insists on driving slowly behind the bicyclists, honking nonstop, with his intention clearly being to provoke the bicyclists, distract them and possibly even injure them. That the bicyclists do not rise to the bait and are not provoked is a testament to their sense of responsibility.

The 2 bicyclists continued to ride minding their own business, but one of them took footage of the motorist’s harassment on his cell phone. He posted the footage on YouTube, and now, police officers are investigating the incident.

California bicycle attorneys say that this entire incident has raised more attention to the problem that many bicyclists face around the country, and especially in the state of California. Hostility between motorists and bicyclists is nothing new, and any bicyclist will tell you that harassment, abuse, taunts, and yelling are part of life on the road for a bicyclist. In some cases, a bicyclist may have something thrown at him, while in other more dangerous cases, a motorist might decide to drive too close to the bicyclist, possibly running him off the road or throwing him off his bicycle. In both of these cases, a bicyclist is at serious risk of injuries.