What would YOU do in this situation?

Dan_15

Here is a question for this bunch of hard-working, loyal, friendly, upstanding folks on this website; although it has nothing to do with heating. I was driving to work this morning in the snow and a car pulled very closely alongside me so as to angle in front of me. I thought he was going to hit me so I honked my horn. This, he apparently did not appreciate. So, he finished pulling in front of me and then jammed on his brakes for spite. I was forced to stop short on my brakes (in the snow) and ended up sliding forward into the rear of his car; just a light tap. Now rational people in this situation get out of their cars and look for damage. I dont own my car so I was especially concerned about damage to my front fender. But he took off. I drove after him and tried to pull alongside to indicate that he should pull over. But he just continued to cut in front of me and did not appear too concerned about his actions. Evenutally we came to a stoplight backed up with cars. There was nowhere for us to go. So I got out of my car to inspect for damage and I did not see anything too bad. I approached his window to talk about the situation, and he actually jumped out of his car and beat me up. Broad daylight, in front of a mess of other cars. He clocked me on the head real hard two times, yelling and screaming all the time, and forced me to stumble across the median into oncoming traffic. He yelled at me to get back in my car. So I did get back in my car, somewhat stunned, and called the police. Eventually the light changed and he took off, ran a red light and disappeared. The police were too busy to send someone out, so I went to the station and made a report. An inspector will be in touch with me. This entire incident really makes me disappointed in humanity from all angles. Im lucky I was not seriously hurt, but I feel pretty strongly that you cant just beat people up driving to work. What would you do? Would you pursue it further, or just drop the issue and chalk it up to experience. Thanks.

Jaitch

Book'em Dan-O

I hope you got a license number and description of the car and the suspect. The American plan (used to be) is justice in court. Press charges, if possible. I think you're lucky that he wasn't armed with "deadly force." I keep my Rigid 24 in the FRONT seat of my van. I hope I never have to reach for it...........

Constantin

I'm sorry to hear about this incident...

... and I hope that you are getting better. I was a witness to a similar attack on a professor on campus some years ago and am still amazed that an attack with a deadly weapon (kicks with a construction boot to the head, among other things) resulted in nothing more than 3 years of probation, promises, etc.. And it wasn't the first issue the convict had had with the legal system either, his file was over 1/2" thick.

When the dust settles, I hope that the person who assaulted you will receive a stiff penalty. In the meantime, have yourself get checked out and if you start feeling queasy, dizzy, etc. get yourself to a hospital as it may indicate brain swelling, a potentially dangerous situation. Lastly, for all the bad apples in this world, there are also a great number of good people.

Perhaps someone should have gotten out and stopped the fight... perhaps they were afraid to be confronted in the same manner as you. The most important thing besides getting his plates, is having witnesses. If you have both, he won't get away with his behavior.

Ken_8

The guy that hit you was probably

one of the more disgruntled contractors from FAP (Find A Professional)and decided to take his displeasure out on you physically.

The guy wasn't driving a Sears service van by any chance was he (;-o)?

Kidding aside, you did get his plate/tag number right?

I'd file a complaint. Absolutely, positively, for sure. What the hay. Spending a day in court surely trumps watching the bird feeder lad. I'd also go to the hospital ASAP and make sure the damage is purely superficial. Then I'd take him down by The Mighty Passaic River and throw his sorryass into the oldest shopping cart I could find and burn an old Firestone on his face while he's on the bank.

Never mind all that. Just get his address and e-mail it to me. I'll take care of it for ya - Jersey style.



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Bill_14

Not Worth It Dan...

This is the type of scenario where people pull out a gun and start shooting. I think it is best to forget it and call the police and your insurance carrier rather than dodge bullets!!

Bill

Mad Dog

Till my dying day...............................................

I would track him down and give him the beatdown he deserves.....TWICe!!!!! But that's just me, I have a hard time letting things like that go. However we have too much to lose now, so you must pursue this like normal people. Go back to the same spot a few days in a row, he'll come by, you'll recognize him, get his plate and phone it in the to cops on your cell. You may not remember now, but when you see him and his car ..it will all come flooding back. If the cops don't show you proper respect, go to the local DA and make a report and demand a police report be taken. You gotta pursue this, dude. Sorry for your trouble...if I witnessed it, I would've chased him for ya. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog

hee hee....can I come along Ken??????

I would enjoy that....thoroughly....Mad Dog

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Mark Hunt

after

you call the police and a doctor, you should get to the gym and rent Rocky 1-5 videos. You can't let this man get away with this or you will never be able to live with yourself as a man.

Confused_3

If you got the tag, you might find out whether it is a personal car or owned by a business. Most employers don't much like their employees in company vehicles acting this way.

dusty roads

message to dan

well you are lucky you didn,t get killed.if a person is that intent in cutting you off the road ,you are best to stay clear of them.stopping and telling them their stupid dosn't seem to empress them to much, they all ready know that they are stupid,and so they take it oput on you. the best defence is to slow down and let them pass,as others have said you could have been hurt more.if by some chance you did the beating you would most likely have been thrown in jail for the incedent!!!!!! believe me you are better off staying in your car,taking a camera with you is a good defense you can video tape a short clip of your car and the offending car,it comes in handy

colm

sadly ...

... while this is an extreme example this kind of driving seems fairly common around here (NJ/NY).
I begun driving again a year ago after a gap of 19 years. Having never driven in the US I went and did the test. I was amazed that I was given a licence after tootling around a parking lot at 15mph for 20 minutes ! And it shows in the standard of driving out there.
Problem with driving is that somewhat like the internet it's pretty annoymous. People in cars behave much worse than they would ever dream of doing face-to-face.
Personally I would never get out of the car to confront someone - you never know. My wife was "chased" in her car for several miles a couple of years ago for objecting to someone's driving. In fairness if the cops were to go after bad driving they'd never get anything else done and my guess is that few of these would ever see the inside of a police station let alone a court. At the end of the day the priority is your own safety.

Sorry to hear about this - don't lose the faith.
May the other driver be inflicted with severe water hammer !

Rookie

I gotta give you credit

If I got knocked around the last thing I would do is post it here.If I get cut off and chase after the person two things go threw my head, that I will take action offensive or defensive and that I better be prepared that the person I am chasing will either be able to kill me or put a hurtin on me.So with that in mind you have to make a decision wether to get close enough write down his plate number or forget it. Most of the time I will chose the latter, why because it doesn't matter how big you are a nine mill can make up the difference, better safe than sorry.

STEVEN MARKS

Once I had taken his plate # I would not of chesed him any farther. If police catch up to him he will charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Any damage would have been his fault. After being beaten up, YES I would follow up with the police and press charges!!!

Mad Dog

People on both sides are crazy..................................

The middle-aged Grandmother who honks and gives you the finger because she thinks you are going to slow to the maniac road ragers who will chase you down and kill you. The lunatics I can understand...they are crazy and miserable and just want to act out their rage on someone - they are dangerous people. THe real idiots are the people who think they can give someone the finger and that there will be no ramifications. Alot of women do this and are then horrified when a nut follows them home. I've gotten involved in my share of road rage and chasing incidents. If some one cut me off or gave the finger I would go after them. Fistfights were the norm years ago, but today alot of people are packing heat. Today, if you pursue it, you don't know who you are coming up against...serial killer, mafioso, gang banger, off duty cop. I've seen my share of trouble in those incidents, but I didn't really learn until I had a 38 special in my gut - drunk retired Irish cop. No time to be nervous...just talked him down. After that I let people flip me off all day...I just laugh and wave at them and clear the way for them. Bottom line, any time you get out of your car - get ready to fight at the least or die at the worst. I worked with a real wacko years ago who stabbed a dude in a road rage incident. He did 8 years in the joint. He nows works for a local oil company and I see him once in while....He's like a totally peaceful dude now. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog

ha hah ahha

Thats' a great one Rocky . Mad Dog

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