Car accidents can have all sorts of causes, but one distressingly common factor is tailgating. When someone follows another car way too closely, they are risking an accident. The worst part is that this behavior is entirely avoidable. If you were hurt in a crash because someone else was following you too closely, that person should be held accountable. A San Antonio, Texas car accident lawyer from our firm can help you do that.
Is Tailgating a Common Cause of Accidents?
According to some studies, tailgating is one of the most common causes of accidents. As many as one-third of crashes are rear-end collisions, and these are often caused by someone tailgating. Then there’s a recent survey from AAA where 80% of drivers reported being followed too closely in the past year. It’s obvious that this dangerous behavior is a big problem.
What Kinds of Injuries Can a Rear-End Collision Cause?
Even at low speeds, a rear-end collision can cause significant injuries. Crashes like this often cause whiplash because the occupants of the lead vehicle usually have their heads move forward and then backward in a whip-like motion. This can cause:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Whiplash can even cause tinnitus, mood swings, and sleeping problems. And this is just one potential injury from a rear-end collision! Such crashes can also cause broken bones, internal bleeding, and even concussions.
Is Tailgating Illegal in Texas?
Here’s another good reason to stop tailgating in Texas. By law, drivers are supposed to maintain a safe following distance. Those who don’t can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500. So if someone tailgates you and hits you, they are clearly in the wrong and should be sued for compensation.
How Long Will It Take to Recover Compensation?
We are not going to lie to you. Some of these personal injury cases can take a while to finish. Some can settle in weeks, but most take months of work. Others have to go to trial, but this is a relative rarity.
You can be sure that your lawyer will be ready to advocate for you at every stage of this process though, no matter how long it takes. We’ll help you fight for a fair compensation offer that makes up for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the rest of the expenses and trauma caused by the crash.
Contact Our Legal Team
If you got hurt in an accident because another driver was tailgating, you shouldn’t be on the hook for all of those medical bills and car repair costs. Contact Sahadi Legal Group and schedule a free consultation with our team. We’ll tell you more about how we can help you secure the kind of compensation that you deserve.
