Tailgating is a dangerous maneuver for any driver to commit. Whether a driver is doing it to move slower driver from their path or because they are possessed with road rage, tailgating can quickly become the cause of a catastrophic car accident. If you or a family member was injured in a car accident caused by tailgating, contact an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer today.
The Reiff Law Firm has seen the devastating effects of accidents caused by tailgating, and we are prepared to hold a negligent driver accountable for their actions. You should not have to bear the burden of costly medical bills, vehicle repairs, and various other expenses because of the negligent actions of another driver. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
Common Reasons for Tailgating
Tailgating is when a motorist uses their vehicle to closely follow another vehicle for an extended amount of time. Tailgating is extremely dangerous for motorists on the road because of how quickly an accident may occur if the lead vehicle needs to slam on their brakes for any reason. As a result, tailgating is one of the leading causes of rear-end car accidents.
The following is a list of common reasons for tailgating and the issues they may cause.
Driver has Poor Vision
A driver that suffers from poor vision may be unable to gauge exactly how close they are to a vehicle that is ahead of them. This can create a situation where the vision-impaired driver believes they are following a safe distance but are in fact too close to the lead vehicle.
It is also common for some drivers to tailgate when they are caught in poor or undesirable weather conditions. If the driver is aware that they cannot see through dense rain or snowfall, they may follow another vehicle too closely to ensure they stay on the right path. This is especially dangerous because poor weather conditions can make it harder for the tailgating vehicle to stop when the lead car uses the brakes.
Forcing a Motorist to Drive Faster
In Philadelphia and many other large cities, drivers will typically use the left lane of a highway to travel at a higher speed than other drivers on the road. As a result, if a motorist perceives that a car in the left lane is not driving as fast as they believe they should be driving, the motorist may begin to tailgate the other car.
In some cases, a tailgater may employ the use of aggressive tactics to coerce another driver to move out of the fast lane of the highway. This may be accomplished by flashing headlights, honking the horn, or even motioning to the driver in the lead vehicle. When a driver is experiencing road rage, this situation may become even more dangerous.
A reckless driver may also tailgate to ensure that another driver does not have the opportunity to slip in front of them. This can be dangerous if a driver acts recklessly and continues to advance even after another motorist has begun to enter their lane.
The best option to avoid either of these situations is to switch lanes and allow the driver to move ahead of you. You do not want to risk your life or the lives of any passengers to fight off a tailgater. Unfortunately, some victims are not given the option to get away from the tailgater before they cause a serious accident.
Inexperienced Drivers
Under certain circumstances, a driver may tailgate because they overestimate their ability to maneuver their vehicle. This is more common among newer drivers that believe that their vehicle can stop practically immediately despite any sudden changes in traffic or poor weather conditions.
Another possibility is that two vehicles are following each other, and the rear driver is tailgating the lead car to avoid being lost. An accident can occur under these circumstances if one of the drivers becomes distracted or if the lead driver fails to communicate where they are going.
Whether you were involved in a tailgating accident due to an angry motorist or poor weather conditions, our firm can help you pursue a claim against the negligent driver that caused your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Our Experienced Tailgating Car Accident Attorneys are Ready to Work with You
If you or a family member was the victim of a car crash, you should consult with an experienced Bethlehem car accident attorney today. The injury attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm possess over four decades of combined legal experience, and we would be proud to help you pursue your injury case. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
