Another driver went full road rage on me — threw something at my car. What do I do now?

Something really similar happened to me about a year ago — different circumstances but another driver went full unhinged and caused damage to my vehicle. One thing I learned fast: don't wait on the police to move at their own pace. Follow up with the report number, call the non-emergency line every few days. They won't always volunteer updates.

Not legal advice, but generally speaking this could involve both criminal charges (vandalism, assault with a vehicle depending on your state) AND a civil claim for property damage and potential personal injury. The dashcam footage is genuinely valuable — preserve it in multiple places right now, like a cloud backup and a USB drive. Don't just leave it on the camera. If you're having physical symptoms, get seen by a doctor sooner rather than later. That documentation matters.

Please be careful when you call your own insurer. Even if you're the victim, adjusters are trained to look for any reason to reduce what they owe you or slow-walk the claim. Don't give a recorded statement until you know your rights. I'd talk to an attorney first, even just a free consult.

The tension in your neck and shoulders plus a lingering headache after a scary, adrenaline-heavy incident? Go get checked out. Stress and sudden braking can cause soft tissue strain that sneaks up on you over 24-48 hours. Don't brush it off just because you didn't hit anything. You went through something traumatic and your body reacted to it.

I used to work on the claims side and I'll tell you — video evidence like yours changes everything. Adjusters know when a case is hard to dispute. That said, the other driver's insurer is going to try to minimize if they can. Don't accept any offer quickly, and document every single expense: tow, rental, medical visits, even over-the-counter stuff you buy because of the injury. Save every receipt.

To answer your question about criminal vs. civil — they're separate tracks and one doesn't cancel out the other. The DA's office decides whether to pursue criminal charges; that's out of your hands mostly. But you can still file a civil claim for your damages regardless of what happens criminally. A lot of people don't realize they can pursue both. Also, ask the police department for the written incident report once it's filed — you'll want that for insurance and any attorney you consult.

Honestly just glad you're okay. That sounds absolutely terrifying. Please don't minimize the emotional side of this either — being followed and having stuff thrown at you is scary even if nothing worse happened. Take care of yourself first.

Three things, in order: 1) Back up that footage TODAY. 2) See a doctor even if you feel mostly fine. 3) Do a free consult with a PI attorney before you talk to any insurance company. You've got solid evidence — don't fumble the follow-through.

Did you get the other driver's insurance info at all, or just the plate? If the police don't end up tracking this person down quickly, recovering anything gets more complicated. Also — what state are you in? Laws on this stuff vary a lot and it changes what your options actually look like.