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Tailgating is a Top Cause of Auto Accidents

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in

tailgating accidentA transportation study conducted in 2014 shows that one third of all automobile accidents are due to tailgating, a typically purposeful act intended to make the driver in front speed up.

Tailgating occurs when a driver follows another automobile too closely, not leaving enough room to make a sudden stop if necessary. The uncomfortable and potentially dangerous distance between the cars motivates the driver in front to increase speed to regain additional space.

The intentional quality of tailgating makes these research findings especially troublesome, because it occurs with experienced drivers, not just inexperienced drivers.

Why Tailgating Happens

Tailgating is typically deliberate. A driver may tailgate for several reasons, including:

  • Retaliation, intimidation or road rage
  • Impatience
  • Overestimating their own driving skill
  • Attempting to draft (driving very close behind a larger vehicle attempting to increase gas mileage by reducing drag).

Preventing Tailgating Accidents

In good driving conditions, drivers should stay a minimum of three seconds behind any vehicles in front of them. When the weather conditions are bad, after dark, or while following a heavy truck, drivers should maintain an even greater distance from other vehicles to help prevent tailgating accidents.

Follow these tips to avoid tailgating:

  • Always be alert and aware of other nearby vehicles.
  • Allow at least three seconds of space between your vehicle and the car in front of you.
  • Keep at least 10 feet back for every 10 mph you are travelling.
  • When following a motorcycle or large vehicle, keep farther back.
  • Travel at speeds that allow braking safely even if the vehicle in front of you stops abruptly.
  • Drive slower when weather conditions are poor, and double the recommended amount of distance between your vehicle and the one you are following.

If you are being tailgated, it is important to remain calm. Slowing down or retaliating in another way can put you at danger. When possible, simply move over and allow the tailgater to pass you.

If you or someone you love is injured in a car wreck caused by a driver who was following too closely, contact an experienced auto accident injury lawyer in Sacramento at the Arnold Law Firm. We can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

For a free case review, call (916) 777-7777 or fill out an online contact form and let our Sacramento personal injury lawyers discuss the merits of your claim.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.