On Saturday October 7, a beautiful Indian summer day in Marin, approximately 1,300 cyclists gathered to ride through the rolling hills of Marin to support the Marin Bike Coalition in its annual Jensie Gran Fondo. As the day went on, what started as a fun-filled day turned to tragedy when the driver of a blue Dodge Ram pickup allegedly swerved to the right and struck 4 bicyclists knocking them to the ground and then sped off. The hit and run collision is the worst injury in the event’s history.
With the assistance of witnesses the police have arrested a suspect who’s description and vehicle match those of the perpetrator. Chris Dolan, founder of The Dolan Law Firm, a sponsor of the Jensie Gran Fondo, Marin Bicycle Coalition Member and Marin County cyclist stated; “the despicable and hateful acts of the driver can’t go unpunished. This highlights the danger that bicyclists face on a daily basis.” Under the law there are severe criminal penalties, felonies, that call for years of jail time, as well as civil actions to help those that have been injured.
Under California Penal Code Section 245 road rage is treated as assault with a deadly weapon. The punishment is imprisonment for up to 4 years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.00 per incident. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 a hit and run driver can be imprisoned for up to 4 years for each bicyclist hit. California Vehicle Code Section 13210 provides that, in addition to the penalties above, a perpetrator of road rage can lose their license.
In addition to the criminal penalties above, a victim of road rage may seek justice through the civil courts wherein claims may be brought for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and, in the worst of cases, wrongful death. While the criminal courts met out punishment through incarceration, the civil justice system is designed to financially compensate people who suffer injuries by allowing them to collect for their economic losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, etc., as well as their non economic damages such as emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, post traumatic stress, and permanent disfigurement and/or disability.
Unfortunately, over the last 20 years, The Dolan Law Firm has handled all too many cases of injuries and/or fatalities associated with aggressive driver behavior. For information or assistance contact the Dolan Law Firm at 415-421-2800 or help@Dolanlawfirm.com.
The Dolan Law Firm is California’s premier personal injury law firm. Christopher Dolan has repeatedly been recognized as one of the Top 25 Plaintiff Lawyers in California and has received the prestigious California Lawyer of the Year and California Trial Lawyer of the Year.
