Drivers are taught to maintain safe distances when following behind another vehicle.
The general rule of the road is that there should be enough room between you and the car in front of you to allow you to avoid a crash if they were to suddenly stop. That distance is flexible, depending on the rate of speed you are traveling, the road conditions, and even the time of day.
If you were hit from behind due to a driver tailgating you, speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney. There are rules of the road that must be followed in order to protect the safety of other drivers, and you may find that you have the right to be compensated for the driver’s failure to follow them.
Tailgating Car Accidents
Interestingly, it is often more experienced drivers who tend to follow behind other cars too closely. They may be overestimating their own skills or are impatient and trying to intimidate other drivers out of their way. The truth is, in most cases it is nothing more than carelessness on the part of the driver, who has forgotten the basics in road safety.
The laws for tailgating are flexible, allowing police officers to take into account traffic conditions, road conditions, and other variables. For example, having only a distance of one car length may be deemed okay on a clear Sunday afternoon, yet a traffic violation on a rainy Monday morning. Any variable that can affect the stopping ability of a car is taken into consideration when looking at whether or not a car was tailgating.
How to Handle a Tailgater
Being tailgated sometimes hits a nerve, causing us to react in ways that purposely set out to annoy the offending driver. Avoid slowing down for no reason or stopping suddenly. Instead, give them enough room to pass you. This tactic allows you to rid yourself of the tailgater without putting you in harm’s way.
If you are hit by a driver who was following too closely behind you, make sure that you make note of the condition of the roadway at the time of the accident, the time of day, and weather variables. This is all information a St. Louis car accident attorney will need in order to help present a case showing the other driver’s negligence. With that information, the lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company of the driver and help you obtain a fair settlement for the injuries that you have sustained.
Distracted Driving and Tailgating
Another common cause of tailgating is distracted driving, where the motorist is completely unaware of how close they are to your vehicle as they send text messages, talk on the phone, or make adjustments to the radio. An auto accident attorney will use this negligent behavior as reason why you should be compensated for your medical and car repair costs.
Tailgating Accident Lawyers
If you were recently the victim of a tailgating car accident, save all of your receipts for incurred expenses and bring them to an injury attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. Our attorneys can pursue your claim and work to get you the compensation you are entitled to.
Call (314) 361-4242