Tailgating could lead to dangerous car crashes, especially on busy roads. When drivers follow too closely, they do not leave enough distance for sudden stops, which could lead to a car crash.
Table of Contents
- What Is Tailgating?
- Why Do Drivers Tailgate?
- What Type of Accidents Happen Due to Tailgating?
- Types of Injuries Victims Have From Tailgating Accidents
- Who Is Likely To Be At Fault for a Tailgating Accident?
- How To Prove Fault in Tailgating Accidents
- Call Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak After a Tailgating Accident
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, our South Bend car accident lawyers prioritize getting results for our clients and have secured millions of dollars in compensation for victims involved in tailgating crashes. We understand how these accidents can cause injuries, severe damage and our attorneys will fight to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and the value of your claim to help you pursue the compensation you need for injuries and property damages.
Call us today for a free consultation: (574) 444-0741.
What Is Tailgating?
Tailgating occurs when a driver follows another vehicle too closely, violating the safe following distance rule. On South Bend roads, this dangerous behavior prevents drivers from having enough time to react when traffic slows or stops.
Safe drivers should maintain at least a three-second gap between vehicles. This distance should increase during rain, snow, heavy traffic or night driving, especially if few streetlights are on the road. Drivers should also be cautious when maneuvering through construction zones.
Why Do Drivers Tailgate?
Drivers may tailgate for multiple reasons. Usually, drivers with aggressive personalities are most likely to tailgate because they attempt to intimidate others or pressure them to drive faster. Stress and road rage can trigger this dangerous behavior, especially during South Bend’s busy rush hours.
Some of the other reasons why some drivers may tailgate may include:
- Running late to work or appointments
- Distracted driving unawareness
- Overconfidence in reaction time
- Learned aggressive habits
Teen drivers and young adults are most likely to tailgate due to inexperience. They may not consider that tailgating can lead to a car crash if the driver in front of them suddenly stops or turns.
Some drivers tailgate during heavy traffic or on congested highways like I-80 or I-90, believing it prevents others from merging ahead of them. This behavior heightens during stressful conditions like construction delays or bad weather.
What Type of Accidents Happen Due to Tailgating?
Tailgating leads to several dangerous crashes on South Bend roads. Some of these crashes may include:
Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common car crashes resulting from a driver tailgating another vehicle. They are likely to occur when sudden braking, especially at stoplights and in heavy traffic, leaves no reaction time.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Chain reactions on highways like I-80 and I-90 may happen if a driver is tailgating. One impact could push another vehicle into others ahead.
Push-Under Crashes
An underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a larger one due to height differences. These crashes typically involve trucks or trailers and happen during rear-end or side-impact collisions.
Sideswipe Accidents
When tailgate drivers swerve to avoid obstacles, they can lose control of their vehicle. These crashes commonly occur in construction zones and winter conditions, where sudden maneuvers become especially dangerous.
Types of Injuries Victims Have From Tailgating Accidents
Tailgating accidents could lead to severe injuries due to the sudden, forceful impact. Some of these injuries are:
- Bone fractures
- Herniated discs
- Nerve damage
- Lower back strains
- Spinal cord compression
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Concussions from head strikes
- Neck muscle and ligament damages
- Chest injuries from seatbelt restraint
- Facial injuries, especially if the airbag deploys
- Whiplash from rapid acceleration or deceleration
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, physical therapy and time away from work. Complications can lead to chronic pain and long-term disability, especially when victims do not receive proper immediate care.
Recovery time varies based on injury severity and treatment response. Some victims face permanent limitations that affect their ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
Who Is Likely To Be At Fault for a Tailgating Accident?
The tailgating driver typically bears primary fault since they violated safe following distance rules. However, multiple parties may share liability:
Rear Driver
Rear drivers are most likely to be at fault if they follow too closely, speed or are distracted by their phones. If they display aggressive behavior, like honking at another driver to go faster, they could also be deemed liable for a car crash.
Lead Driver
Lead drivers could become entirely or partially liable if they are brake checking, conducting improper lane changes, or have broken brake lights, which causes a driver not to know when they will stop.
Other Potential Liable Parties
Other parties may share liability in tailgating accidents. Vehicle manufacturers could be responsible if brake failures contributed to the crash. Road maintenance authorities may be liable if poor road conditions or design flaws caused the accident. Third-party drivers can also bear responsibility if they trigger chain-reaction collisions.
Indiana’s comparative fault laws affect compensation if multiple parties share responsibility. Document all contributing factors to support your claim.
How To Prove Fault in Tailgating Accidents
Proving fault in tailgating accidents requires collecting evidence. After an accident, the victims are responsible for proving that the other driver was at fault to receive the compensation needed for recovery.
Victims can use this evidence to prove fault:
- Police Reports: Official accident documentation, traffic violations issued and officer observations
- Witness Statements: Any statements from anyone who may have observed the accident
- Physical Evidence: Skid marks on the road, vehicle damage, dash cam footage photos of the accident scene and security camera recordings
- Expert Analysis: Accident reconstruction reports, vehicle damage assessment, truck black box data analysis and stopping distance calculation.
- Medical records: Evidence such as medical bills, diagnoses and treatment can link injuries to the car crash.
- Additional documentation: Driver cell phone records, vehicle maintenance history and weather conditions reports can display what happened during a crash.
An experienced South Bend attorney can help gather this evidence and build a strong case demonstrating the tailgating driver’s negligence. Time matters in a car accident case. Evidence should be collected quickly before it disappears or degrades.
Call Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak After a Tailgating Accident
If you have been involved in a tailgate accident, seek the compensation you need to recover after a car crash. At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, our South Bend car accident attorneys understand how these crashes impact victims. We have helped countless victims secure maximum compensation for injuries and property damages.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call our firm today to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys are here to help you to determine your legal options.
Learn more about your legal options: (574) 444-0741.
