WHAT LEGAL ACTION CAN A PRIVATE CITIZEN IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANNIIA TAKE AGAINST A RECKLESS DRIVER AND DEADLINES TO TAKE ACTION?
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WHAT LEGAL ACTION CAN A PRIVATE CITIZEN IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANNIIA TAKE AGAINST A RECKLESS DRIVER AND DEADLINES TO TAKE ACTION?
ENCOUNTERED SAME DRIVER TWICE IN ONE DAY IN 2 DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES. IN THE 1ST INCIDENT, THE DRIVER CROSSED THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC FROM A LEFT TURN ONLY LANE TO A RIGHT TURN ONLY LANE ON A VERY BUSY INTRASTATE ROUTE. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE DRIVER PERFORMED A HIGH SPEED PASS ON AN EXIT RAMP/ACCESS RD AND SWITCHED LANES ERRACTICALLY STOPPING ABRUPTLY AN INTERSECTION TO SPEED OFF DOWN A 25 MI PER HOUR ZONE. POLICE COMPLETED A REPORT BUT HAVE INFORMED ME THAT NO CITATION(S) WILL BE ISSUED IN THE SECOND MUNICIPALITY. i ASSUME THAT I MUST ALSO FILE A REPORT IN THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY
Asked on May 4, 2009 under Accident Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
L.M., Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
Good for you for reporting the driver's erratic driving to the authorities! If you saw the driver in two different municipalities, you should definitely report it in both cities. Unfortunately, you cannot sue or take other direct legal action against that driver without having suffered some damages yourself as a result of his driving. I assume, since you did not state so, that the driver did not cause you to have an accident or to sustain damages either to your vehicle or your body. Civil lawsuits are to make the person "whole", i.e., to pay you for your damages. Unless you had an accident as a result of his erratic driving, and sustained damages, there is nothing you can do.
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