90210’s Ian Ziering Sued for Road Rage Assault: What Victims Need to Know

Road rage incidents are a growing concern on our roads, turning everyday commutes into potential nightmares. In a recent high-profile case, Ian Ziering, known for his role in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” is facing a lawsuit stemming from a road rage incident, highlighting the serious legal and personal consequences that can arise from aggressive driving. According to a 2025 study, nearly 90% of drivers have witnessed road rage, with over half admitting to engaging in road rage behaviors themselves. This article delves into the details of the Ziering case and, more importantly, what you should know if you ever find yourself a victim of road rage.

The Ian Ziering Road Rage Incident: A Case Study

On New Year’s Eve 2023, a traffic incident involving Ian Ziering and a group of minibike riders occurred in Los Angeles. Initial reports suggested a confrontation stemming from reckless riding by the minibikers. However, Jacob Hernandez, one of the riders involved, has filed a civil lawsuit against Ziering, alleging battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Hernandez claims that Ziering “suddenly exited” his car and began yelling before shoving him, causing him to crash into his friend. The lawsuit further alleges that Ziering provided misleading information to the media and law enforcement, leading to Hernandez’s arrest. Hernandez is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and has requested a jury trial. Ziering, on the other hand, stated he felt threatened and acted in self-defense.

This case underscores how quickly a traffic dispute can escalate into a legal battle with significant repercussions for all parties involved. Regardless of the final verdict, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying calm and avoiding confrontation on the road.

What Constitutes Road Rage?

Road rage is more than just feeling annoyed at another driver. It involves aggressive or violent behaviors stemming from anger while driving. Some common examples of road rage include:

Verbal Aggression: Yelling, cursing, or making obscene gestures.
Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, erratic lane changes, and abrupt braking.
Confrontational Behaviors: Exiting the vehicle to confront another driver, using a weapon, or other threatening actions.

These behaviors can lead to dangerous situations and have serious legal consequences.

Legal Consequences of Road Rage

While some states have specific “aggressive driving” laws, road rage typically falls under existing laws related to assault, battery, reckless driving, and more. The legal repercussions can vary depending on the severity of the incident and the state in which it occurs.

Potential criminal charges for road rage include:

Assault: Physically attacking another driver or passenger, or threatening violence.
Battery: Intentional and harmful physical contact with another person without their consent.
Reckless Driving: Driving in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
Aggravated Assault: Assaulting another driver with a deadly weapon (including a vehicle).
Attempted Murder: In extreme cases of violence that show intent to kill.

Penalties for these charges can range from fines and jail time to license suspension and even felony convictions.

In addition to criminal charges, victims of road rage can also pursue civil lawsuits against the aggressor to recover compensation for damages such as:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Road Rage

Being the target of road rage can be a frightening experience. Here’s what you should do to protect yourself and your rights:

Stay Calm and Avoid Engaging: Don’t react to the aggressive driver’s behavior. Avoid eye contact, rude gestures, or any actions that could escalate the situation.
Create Space: If possible, safely distance yourself from the aggressive driver. Change lanes, slow down, or take a different route.
Call the Police: If you feel threatened or the other driver is following you, call 911. Provide your location and a description of the other vehicle. If you’re not seriously hurt, and can safely drive your vehicle, head to the nearest police station or sheriff’s department. If you can’t safely drive away, stay in your car, lock the doors, call 9-1-1, and wait for help
Document the Incident: If it’s safe to do so, record the incident with your phone or dashcam. Note the other vehicle’s license plate number, make, and model.
File a Police Report: Even if there was no physical altercation, file a police report. This can help track aggressive driving patterns and provide documentation for insurance claims or legal action.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t feel injured immediately, get checked out by a doctor. Adrenaline can mask injuries, and prompt care is crucial for your health and your case.
Gather Evidence: If you can do so safely, collect important evidence. Take clear photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.
Notify Your Insurance Provider: Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Get Legal Support: Consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your rights and legal options.

Proving Your Case

Building a strong road rage case requires gathering evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence or intent to cause harm. This evidence may include:

Police reports
Witness statements
Traffic camera footage or dashcam recordings
Photos of vehicle damage and injuries
Medical records
Expert testimony

An experienced attorney can help you gather and present this evidence to support your claim.

Compensation for Victims

Victims of road rage accidents have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. Damages you may be able to recover include:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost wages (past and future)
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Punitive damages (in cases of extreme misconduct)

Preventing Road Rage

While it’s essential to know what to do if you’re a victim of road rage, it’s equally important to prevent it in the first place. Here are some tips for staying calm and avoiding confrontation on the road:

Leave on Time: Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination to avoid feeling rushed or stressed.
Practice Patience: Accept that traffic delays are sometimes unavoidable. Take deep breaths and try to relax.
Avoid Aggressive Driving: Don’t tailgate, cut off other drivers, or engage in other aggressive behaviors.
Be Considerate: Use your turn signals, merge safely, and allow other drivers to pass.
Don’t Take It Personally: If another driver makes a mistake or acts aggressively, don’t take it personally. Let it go and focus on your own driving.
Play Calming Music: Listening to relaxing music can help reduce stress and keep you calm behind the wheel.

The Rising Trend of Road Rage

Unfortunately, road rage incidents appear to be on the rise. A 2025 study found that nearly 20% of respondents reported feeling anger and intense aggression while driving in the past year. Several factors may contribute to this trend, including increased traffic congestion, stress, and a general decline in civility.

According to a 2025 ConsumerAffairs study, Louisiana has the worst road rage for the second year in a row. About 58% of all traffic fatalities in the state involved aggressive or careless driving in 2023, four times the national average.

Final Thoughts

The Ian Ziering case serves as a reminder that road rage can have serious legal and personal consequences. If you are a victim of road rage, it’s essential to protect yourself, document the incident, and seek legal assistance. By staying calm, avoiding confrontation, and practicing safe driving habits, you can help prevent road rage and keep our roads safe for everyone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a road rage incident, contact us today for a consultation. We can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.