Raging Motorcyclist Triggers Chain Reaction Injury Crash in Los Angeles
California Highway Patrol officials are looking for a motorcyclist who was captured on video as he kicked a vehicle on the 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita triggering a chain-reaction car accident that left a driver injured. According to the Los Angeles Times, the wild 22-second clip of the apparent road rage incident has gone viral. It shows the motorcyclist kicking the driver’s side of a sedan in the southbound carpool lane of the freeway. The sedan then veers left sideswiping the motorcycle. The sedan driver then appears to lose control and swerves right across double-yellow lines slamming into the freeway divider.
Road Rage and Hit-and-Run
The force of the collision throws up sparks and lifts the car’s left rear tire of the ground. The car is then seen in the video bouncing off the barrier and into traffic where it crashes into a white pickup truck which ends up upside down after sliding down the freeway. The motorcyclist rode off without stopping. CHP is looking at this incident as a hit-and-run. The incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. June 21, 2017 at Newhall Avenue. The driver of the pickup sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Investigators are asking anyone who has information about the motorcyclist to contact them.
Given the violent nature of the video, it is indeed fortunate that no one was killed in this crash. We wish the injured victim the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Leaving the Scene of the Crash
Based on this news report, not only was the motorcyclist raging, but he also caused a serious car accident and then fled the scene. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), this is illegal and could result in a felony charge. Motorists involved in a collision are required under the law to stop, remain at the scene, exchange pertinent information and render aid to the injured victims. We certainly hope this hit-and-run motorcyclist is apprehended and brought to justice.
What Victims Can Do
In such cases injured victims can take a number of steps to protect their rights including getting prompt medical attention and seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will fight for their rights and help ensure that the wrongdoers are held accountable. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can also advise victims regarding how their own auto insurance policy might apply to an incident where the at-fault party has not been apprehended or in a case where the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured.