Distracted, reckless, or aggressive drivers can tailgate when they drive too closely behind another driver. This can become a problem at stop signs and red lights, as the driver in front needs more stopping distance between them and the car behind them.
Tailgating can also lead to rear-end collisions because the tailgating driver does not provide enough room for the driver in front to make a sudden stop should an unexpected obstacle affect the driving lane.
If you were involved in a car accident caused by tailgating, you could file a car accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to hold them accountable for damages. Their recklessness can lead to economic and non-economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Hiring a car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensatory damages, as they can calculate the full cost of your damages, gather evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement.
What is Tailgating?
Car accidents can result from negligent driving behavior, and one such type of behavior is tailgating. This form of reckless driving involves a driver tailing too closely behind another driver. Each state has its own rules for how much distance there should be between drivers, but a common rule of thumb is to keep at least a car’s length worth of distance between cars.
Tailgating tightens the margin for error between these two drivers, with a small mistake leading to a possibly catastrophic car collision. Without an acceptable amount of stopping distance between cars, the driver in front will not have enough space to halt their car’s momentum without the tailgating car crashing into the back of them.
Tailgating is illegal in most states, and drivers that engage in this behavior can receive fines and points on their license and be held liable for car accident damages.
Why Would a Driver Tailgate?
Tailgating is a reckless driving behavior that normally occurs out of the impatience of a driver. They have somewhere they need to go and do not want to wait any longer to get there, so they tailgate to intimidate the driver in front to go faster or let them pass.
A driver also may tailgate to prevent another driver from passing in front of them. If a driver is in a hurry to get to their location, they may want to avoid another driver passing in front of them, which can add more time to their commute. Even a small amount of inconvenience can cause an aggressive driver to tailgate and expose the driver in front of them to harm.
Drivers can also tailgate on accident, as distracted, drowsy, or drunk driving can lead to inattention. While their mind drifts to other things, they could accidentally drive too close behind another driver and possibly cause an accident. Drivers must avoid distracted driving to ensure they do not cause a car accident through tailgating.
Tailgating Can Lead to Dangerous Rear-End Car Collisions
Without proper stopping distance, a driver can experience a rear-end collision at a stop sign, red light, or abrupt stop from a tailgating driver. When they stop their car, the tailgating driver behind them cannot stop to prevent a collision.
Without the margin for error afforded by the proper distance between cars, the tailgating driver can collide with the back of the car in front of them and cause a rear-end accident.
This type of car collision can expose the driver and passengers in the front car to severe car accident injuries. Some serious injuries they can suffer include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), back and neck injuries, and whiplash.
Drivers Can Be Held Liable for Damages If They Caused a Tailgating Car Accident
Tailgating is a negligent driving action that can cause a car accident. Those that suffer a tailgating car accident can experience economic damages that affect their financial situation and non-economic damages that can affect their quality of life.
The following are some car accident damages caused by a tailgating car accident:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
Pursuing compensation for these damages involves filing a car accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The tailgating driver caused the car accident through negligent driving behavior, leaving them liable for car accident litigation.
The process of a car accident claim can be a long way and can go more smoothly with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer.
Do You Need Legal Representation Following a Tailgating Car Accident?
Following a car accident, victims will have to consider how they will pay for the significant costs associated with the accident. They could file a car accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company but will likely not have the proper experience to handle the claim process effectively.
Hiring a car accident lawyer can help with this process, as they will have decades of experience litigating claims through settlement negotiations and court cases.
They can assist you in calculating the cost of your claim, gathering evidence, filling out the proper paperwork, and negotiating a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Tailgating Car Accident Claim
The car accident lawyers at the Russo Firm have experience helping car accident victims in places like New Orleans, Miami, and Garden City. They have a proven track record of earning compensation for clients’ damages and can help you recover financially from a tailgating car accident.
Our car accident lawyers will help you gather evidence to prove the at-fault party’s tailgating exposed you to harm and caused the car accident that resulted in severe injury.
Your best chance for recovering compensatory damages from a car accident is by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer, like the ones you can find at The Russo Firm. Contact us for a free tailgating car accident case evaluation at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
