Tailgating is a common cause of crashes, but this behavior is completely avoidable. If you got hurt in a car accident because someone else was acting irresponsibly and tailgating, you may be entitled to compensation. A car accident lawyer in Queens can help you sue for damages and hold that other driver accountable for their bad behavior.
Why is Tailgating So Dangerous?
A car that is tailgating is following another vehicle too closely. This often means that they cannot react on time if the car in front of them has to stop. There are all kinds of why a vehicle may need to come to a sudden stop, from the presence of an animal in the roadway to the start of a construction zone. Drivers need to leave a significant gap between their car and the one in front of them so that they can brake without hitting anyone else.
What Kinds of Injuries Can Be Caused By Rear-End Collisions?
Rear-end collisions can cause all sorts of injuries, even at lower speeds. Possible outcomes of an accident include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
A specific kind of spinal cord injury known as whiplash is especially likely in rear-end collisions. When your neck rapidly moves back and forth, you can end up with whiplash. This can cause all sorts of neck problems, including numbness, pain, and reduced range of motion. It’s not a pleasant experience and it can happen to the occupants of the front vehicle even when the crash occurs at low speeds.
Is Tailgating a Crime?
Tailgating is actually a violation in New York. Someone caught following too closely can be ticketed, fined, and have four points added to their license. So it’s been made clear that this is not acceptable behavior. Someone who tailgates anyway is knowingly causing a dangerous situation and should be held accountable when they cause a crash.
Should I Sue For Compensation If Someone Was Tailgating Me?
If your accident was caused by someone else tailgating you, you should sue for compensation. They caused the crash by behaving irresponsibly. They should be held accountable and pay out a fair compensation settlement that makes up for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment
- Mental anguish
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
You are not required to hire a lawyer when pursuing damages, but we recommend having one on your side. The insurance companies have their own lawyers, and going up against them alone to try and prove that another driver was negligent can be tough. Your attorney can handle the paperwork and negotiate on your behalf, while giving you frequent case updates and doing everything that they can to fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Meet With a New York Personal Injury Attorney
When you are ready to move forward with a personal injury case, contact the Law Offices of George Poulos. We can schedule a case consultation and tell you more about what a personal injury attorney can do to help you.
