Irving Tailgating Accident Lawyer

“Tailgating” occurs when a driver follows too closely behind another vehicle. It’s a very dangerous practice. Tailgating causes rear-end collisions, which account for 23% of all car accidents. This includes 950,000 injuries and 2,000 deaths per year from rear-end collisions.

In other words, tailgating accidents have serious consequences. Injuries sustained from tailgating can cause paralysis and lifelong disability. Victims may be unable to work or live a normal life.

Additionally, tailgating crashes cause expensive property damage. Vehicles can be declared a total loss due to rear-end collisions. Often, tailgating accidents involve multiple cars. Safety experts blame tailgating for many pile-ups.

Have you been in a tailgating accident in Irving, TX? If so, call (469) 998-4069 to speak to a lawyer. Book a free consultation to explore your legal options.

Consultations are also obligation-free. If we don’t win a settlement from your tailgating accident, you won’t pay for our services. So what do you have to lose? Fight for your rights today.

Why Is Tailgating So Dangerous?

Statistics about the dangers of tailgating are alarming. In a survey conducted by Michelin, 74% of drivers said they have been tailgated at least once in their lifetime. Yet only 11% of drivers admitted to tailgating others.

Although some of the survey participants may have been lying, analysts believe there’s another reason for this discrepancy. Many people simply don’t understand safe following distances.

It’s usually easy to tell when another driver has invaded your space. But many drivers may not realize they’re the ones following too closely. It’s often difficult to judge distance when you’re in a moving car.

Proper following distance is very important. Drivers who don’t maintain enough following distance cannot stop safely. That’s why tailgating is so dangerous.

Safe Following Distance Prevents Tailgating Accidents

For an average-sized car, it takes approximately ten feet to stop for every ten miles per hour of travel speed. If you’re traveling at 60mph, you’ll need at least 60 feet to come to a complete stop. If there are less than 60 feet between you and the car in front of you, you won’t be able to stop in time.

But when it comes to safe driving distance, always err on the side of caution. Give yourself extra space in case of bad road conditions, tire problems, or bad brakes.

Many drivers follow the “three-second rule” to maintain safe following distance:

Pick an object that’s ahead of you, such as a street sign or a tree.
Notice when the car in front of you passes that object.
Start counting to three.
If you pass the same object before you hit “three,” it means you’re following too closely.

If you notice that you’re following another vehicle too closely, slow down. You can also change lanes. If the car is driving below the speed limit, you may pass them. Just follow the rules for safe passing, too.

Lower Your Risk of a Tailgating Accident

Unfortunately, you can’t control how other people drive. Tailgating violations are common — even when you’re driving safely, other people may still tailgate you. There are steps you can take to lower your risk of being involved in a tailgating accident:

If you’re being tailgated on a two-lane highway, pull over and let the other car pass.
If there are multiple lanes, change lanes as soon as it’s safe. (Remember to use your turn signal and check your blind spot.)
If there aren’t multiple lanes and it isn’t safe to pull over, use your best judgment. Consider speeding up until you reach a turnout.

If you’re being tailgated, stay alert and drive defensively. Try not to brake suddenly or do any maneuvers that might cause the driver to hit you.

Some drivers may tap on their brakes or start slowing down to deter the tailgater. Don’t do this — it usually has the opposite effect and causes an accident.

If a tailgater rear-ends you, you are not at fault. However, you should still do your best to avoid a rear-end collision.

Tailgating Accident Injuries

The majority of tailgating accidents result in rear-end collisions. This most common injuries associated with these collisions include:

Lower back injuries — When struck from behind, victims often experience lower back injuries. These injuries may include herniated discs and other conditions that require surgery. In extreme cases, victims experience nerve damage or paralysis.
Neck injuries — In tailgating collisions, the victim’s head is often thrust forward and backward very quickly, causing a condition known as whiplash. Whiplash can be mild or severe. Severe cases can lead to chronic pain and other conditions.
Broken legs, hips, and pelvis — The lower body is prone to injury in tailgating accidents. As the impact forces your body forward, your lower body naturally braces itself. This can cause fractures in your legs, hips, and pelvis.
Crushing injuries — If you’re involved in a multi-car accident due to tailgating, you may be crushed. These injuries include cuts, bruises, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding.
Burns — Like many car crashes, tailgating accidents can cause fires. Victims may be badly burned. They may experience chronic pain, disfigurement, loss of vision, and other medical problems.
Head Injuries — Skull fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries may occur due to tailgating accidents. These severe injuries may lead to long term neurological problems and paralysis. Often, victims are unable to live a normal life due to these injuries.

These injuries may require years of recovery. Tailgating accidents may also cause PTSD and other psychological problems in victims. If you’ve been injured due to tailgating, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Compensation can cover medical bills, as well.

Tailgating Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

Accident victims have rights. If you or someone you love has been in a car crash caused by tailgating, call (469) 998-4069 now. Our lawyers are standing by to help. Consultations are always free.

We’ll help you take legal action. With our assistance, you may be eligible for a large accident settlement. This compensation can help you recover quickly from your tailgating accident.