While navigating the roadways in New Jersey, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles sharing the road is crucial. It’s considered tailgating when a motorist drives too closely behind another car, leaving little to no room between their vehicle and the one traveling in front of them. This unsafe driving practice significantly increases the likelihood of a collision. If you’ve been the victim of a tailgating accident, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of a skilled Essex County Auto Accident Attorney who can help you fight for the funds you deserve.
How Common Are Tailgating Accidents?
Tailgating is a form of aggressive driving. When a driver tailgates, they travel too closely behind another vehicle, failing to leave a sufficient distance between them. While most people view tailgating as a minor, harmless offense, it’s one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. This dangerous practice often occurs on highways at high speeds. Many drivers use this unsafe driving practice to pressure the vehicle in front of them to travel faster.
According to research, tailgating contributes to one-third of all accidents in New Jersey. Additionally, a survey by the American Automobile Association found that 80% of drivers had been tailgated in 2020, and 39% of those drivers who had been tailgated said that they had tailgated someone. The most common type of crash resulting from tailgating is a rear-end accident. The following include but are not limited to some of the reasons why drivers engage in tailgating:
- Traffic: When drivers are late and need to get somewhere, they try to “beat” traffic jams by following cars too closely to move along to get to their destination faster.
- Road Rage: When drivers become upset and frustrated, they may let their negative emotions cloud their judgment. Road rage can produce aggressive driving behaviors, like tailgating.
- Distracted driving: When drivers aren’t paying attention to the road, they may not leave sufficient distance between their vehicle and the one traveling ahead.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol often leads to unsafe driving maneuvers.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in an Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a tailgating accident, it’s crucial to understand the proper actions that must be taken to safeguard your legal rights. Following any auto accident, you should contact emergency services. The police should arrive on the scene, take an official report, and provide care to any injured parties. When another driver is at fault for the collision, you can seek financial compensation to help cover your losses. If you’re physically capable, gathering as much evidence as possible from the accident scene is in your best interest.
Nevertheless, the most crucial step after a car accident is to retain the legal services of an experienced Essex County auto accident attorney who can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence. At The Law Offices of Christopher T. Howell, we are prepared to guide you through every step of this process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
