Q: I was involved with a road rage incident, I felt like I was in imminent danger, I drove around them and hit their door.
While driving in traffic, a driver brake checked me and parked their vehicle blocking any forward movement of my truck on the roadway. They exited driver side of their vehicle and proceeded verbally attack me. The driver began moving in aggressive mannerisms and and reaching into their vehicle. I felt like I was in imminent danger and decided to escape the situation by reversing slightly and then driving forward around the outer driver side of their vehicle. In process of swerving around their vehicle my truck made contact with their driver side door. The driver then followed me at dangerous distances until I noticed a near by police officers and pulled over. The officer determined there was damage to the car and my truck, but the situation dictated an immediate egress was needed. Damages to vehicle were considered by the police to be under $1000. No damages to his person were identified by the police. No accident report was filed. Only a call log/report was filed.
A: How lucky an officer was nearby! I would still file an accident report for insurance purposes. I would also let your insurance know what you indicated here: that you were in fear for your safety and drove away from an unsafe situation. They can determine culpability for the damages. You may also want to speak with them about the possibility of needing representation in a civil suit. Since the officer considered nothing serious here, it does not sound like you were charged with a crime. If you were ticketed for careless driving or hit and run, then that is something a criminal defense attorney can help you defend. Depending on your jurisdiction and situation, you may be able to represent yourself, however.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
A: You've probably placed your insurance carrier on notice already. This enables them to anticipate any future claims for property damage or bodily injury. Based on the circumstances, the average person would probably find your actions justified, since they were based on reasonable fear and not recklessness. Cooperate with your insurance carrier as necessary, should they need to formulate any kind of defense, depending on the direction that things take. Good luck
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