Grapevine Tailgating Accident Lawyer
Tailgating occurs whenever someone drives too close to the vehicle in front of them. Most drivers have experienced tailgating. It’s common in heavy traffic or during rush hour in cities like Grapevine, TX.
Because it happens so frequently, some believe tailgating is a harmless quirk. However, it’s actually one of the leading causes of car and truck accidents in the United States. It leads to rear-end collisions, which can have devastating consequences. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), tailgating results in approximately 950,000 injuries and 2,000 deaths each year.
The good news is that many tailgating accidents involving cars and trucks are preventable. By understanding tailgating safety, you can help avoid rear-end collisions. Safe driving practices will also ensure that you’re not declared “at fault” if you’re ever involved in a truck accident.
To learn about your legal options following a tailgating accident with a truck, contact our legal team today. Our Grapevine truck accident lawyers can answer all your questions about tailgating accidents. Consultations are 100% free. You won’t pay for our services unless we help you win your case.
Dial (469) 998-4069 for a complimentary consultation or make an appointment online. Tailgating accidents involving trucks can be a frightening experience. But you don’t have to go through them alone. Our accident lawyers are here to help.
Tailgating Accident Injuries
When you’re stuck in heavy traffic or suddenly find yourself behind a slow-moving vehicle, it’s easy to get frustrated. Psychologically, we may feel like we’re going faster if we’re following closer to the car or truck in front of us. Unfortunately, tailgating is never safe. It can result in accidents even at slow speeds.
The majority of tailgating crashes are rear-end collisions. When Driver A is following too closely behind Driver B, they won’t have enough space to stop if Driver B slows down unexpectedly. Driver A then crashes into Driver B’s rear fender. Depending on Driver A’s speed, the accident may be minor or severe.
The most severe tailgating accidents involve large trucks like semis and tractor-trailers. Tailgating a truck can be fatal. Tailgating truck accidents can also lead to pile-ups. Due to their unique braking system, trucks can’t stop immediately.
Thus, large trucks can inflict a serious impact in a rear-end collision. If struck from behind, the truck may crash into other vehicles, skid, or roll over. Tailgating accidents can also cause a large truck to spill its cargo onto the road, creating a hazard for nearby drivers.
If you’re involved in a tailgating accident with a truck, the most common injuries include:
Whiplash
Whiplash is a type of neck injury where the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the cervical spine “freeze up” in response to a sudden, extreme back-and-forth motion. Whiplash symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, tenderness, headaches, and loss of range of motion in the neck. It’s very common in rear-end accident collisions.
Depending on the severity of the impact, whiplash may be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild and moderate cases usually dissipate after a few weeks without treatment. However, severe whiplash cases can lead to medical complications like nerve damage and full or partial paralysis. Accident victims with severe whiplash may need physical therapy or other medical intervention.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBIs, are another common injury associated with tailgating crashes. Like whiplash, TBIs occur at different levels of severity. Concussions are among the mildest forms of TBis. Although painful and disorienting, concussion victims are usually fine after a few weeks without medical treatment.
However, more severe TBIs can dramatically alter a victim’s life. They can lead to paralysis, memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes, coma, or death. Many TBI victims also suffer a range of mental health problems like anxiety and depression. TBIs may require surgery, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Some victims will never be able to lead a normal life.
Other Tailgating Injuries
Other injuries caused by tailgating include spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, damage to internal organs, lacerations, burns, bruises, and broken bones. Often, people who have been hurt in a tailgating accident involving a truck suffer from a wide range of injuries across multiple categories. Tailgating accidents can also exacerbate pre-existing conditions.
Avoid Tailgating Accidents with Trucks: The “Three Second” Rule
If you ever notice a truck or another vehicle tailgating you, you may be tempted to speed up. However, this may be dangerous depending on traffic conditions. Never let another drive force you to break the speed limit. Instead, check your blind spots and change lanes as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you’re on a one-lane road, pull over when you can and allow the other vehicles to pass.
You can also avoid causing a tailgating accident by obeying the “three second” rule. The key to preventing a tailgating accident with a truck is to maintain a safe following distance at all times. But how do you measure this distance? Many drivers tailgate simply because they don’t realize they’re too close. When you’re driving at highway speeds, it can be difficult to judge distance.
Use the “three second.” Look for a stationary object along the road ahead, such as a tree or a sign. Notice when the truck in front of you drives past this object. Then, count to three slowly. If you pass the same object before you hit “three,” it means you’re following too closely. Slow down until you have a full three seconds between your car and the truck.
Bear in mind that you’ll need more following distance in bad weather. An icy or flooded road can make it harder to stop. When in doubt, it’s always better to leave extra room.
Speak with an Tailgating Truck Accident Attorney
If you’re involved in a rear-end collision because of a tailgating truck, you may be eligible for a settlement. Call right away. Our truck accident lawyers will answer your questions and help you figure out your next steps. Book your free consultation online or dial (469) 998-4069.
