Tailgating Car Accidents in Albuquerque

Even though we know it’s important to maintain a safe distance between vehicles when driving through Albuquerque, New Mexico, not everyone does. Sometimes drivers tailgate - or follow the vehicle in front of them too closely - because they are in a rush, experiencing road rage, or simply fail to pay attention to the traffic around them. Unfortunately, tailgating is a huge contributing factor to auto accidents.

In fact, tailgating contributes to roughly one-third of all car accidents in the United States. When new drivers are at the wheel, tailgating is a factor in more than three-quarters of collisions.

When you’re injured in a tailgating car accident in Albuquerque, it’s important to call Singleton Schreiber and take action.

Our Albuquerque car accident lawyers are experienced legal advocates who aren’t afraid to go the extra mile to help you hold a tailgating driver (and their insurance company) responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, damage to your vehicle, and harder-to-value suffering. As local lawyers backed by national resources, we’ve secured billions of dollars in damages on behalf of well-deserving injury victims and families.

Contact our Albuquerque law office to discuss your tailgating accident case today. Your first case evaluation is free.

Why is Tailgating So Dangerous?

The closer you are to the vehicle in front of you, the less time you have to see changes in traffic and react accordingly. The faster you travel, the more time and space you need to brake safely and avoid a rear-end collision.

Research suggests that most drivers have reaction times of about one or one-and-a-half seconds. Drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise impaired will suffer from reduced reaction times.

If you’re riding the bumper of the car in front of you, one second or one-and-a-half seconds won’t be enough time to stop - especially if you’re speeding. 

That’s why it’s recommended that drivers leave a three-second cushion between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. Pick an object on the side of the road - like a tree or highway sign - and then start counting once the vehicle in front of you has passed it. It should take you at least three seconds to pass it, too. Not only does this make you consciously avoid tailgating the vehicle in front of you, but also improves the odds that you’ll be able to avoid a rear-end crash.

Why Do Drivers Tailgate?

While drivers can unconsciously follow vehicles in front of them too closely, tailgating is typically a choice.

Many times, drivers in Albuquerque tailgate because:

• They’re experiencing road rage because of something the driver in front of them did (e.g., cut them off, made a rude hand gesture)
• They’re frustrated with the speed at which the driver in front of them in traveling
• They really want to beat a yellow light and get through an intersection before the light changes
• They’ve been stuck in heavy Albuquerque traffic and want to make up for lost time

When drivers let their emotions and aggression get the best of them, accidents tend to happen. According to state crash data, Albuquerque recorded 1,345 tailgating car accidents in 2021, at least three of which were fatal. That’s an average of 3.6 tailgating collisions every day. Not surprisingly, this helps Albuquerque rank second in the nation for aggressive driving.

What Happens If I’m Hit By a Tailgating Driver in Albuquerque, NM?

When you get behind the wheel, you assume a duty to drive safely so that you do not put yourself or others in harm’s way. Tailgating is a flagrant violation of this duty of care. When a tailgating driver causes an accident because they can’t stop their vehicle in time, they can be considered negligent and, in turn, liable for resulting damages.

When you’re hit by a tailgating driver in Albuquerque, you’ll have the right to take legal action to hold them accountable for your crash-related damages. Since New Mexico is an at-fault state, you can submit a claim with the tailgating driver’s insurance company to secure benefits for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. 

While most rear-end collisions aren’t catastrophic, it’s still possible to sustain severe and debilitating injuries including whiplash, neck injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Many times, the costs associated with these types of injuries are greater than a tailgating driver’s insurance limits, especially if they opted to buy the state’s minimum required coverage.

In these situations, you’ll have the right to file a lawsuit directly against the driver who was tailgating you to hold them personally responsible for your injuries.

How Singleton Schreiber Can Help You After a Tailgating Car Accident in Albuquerque

Your Albuquerque tailgating accident case might appear to be cut and dry to you. The person behind you was tailgating and couldn’t brake in time when you slowed down or stopped your car. They caused the rear-end collision and should be held accountable.

This might be true, but you should expect the tailgating motorist and their insurance company to fight your claim at every turn. The driver might argue that you “brake checked” them or were distracted, which could mean that at least some of the blame for the traffic accident belongs to you. They might try to downplay your injuries or claim you’ve exaggerated the ways in which the tailgating accident has affected your life.

It’ll be important to anticipate these tactics and be ready to dispute them with facts, evidence, and solid legal arguments. That’s why tailgating accident victims in Albuquerque, NM, choose Singleton Schreiber as their advocate.

Our Albuquerque personal injury lawyers are a local team with national resources at our disposal.  We are prepared to help you make things right after a tailgating car accident.

You’ll be able to count on us to:

• Investigate your tailgating accident and gather evidence to prove your case, not limited to witness statements, property damage, red light footage, dash cam footage, cell phone records, and accident reports
• Enlist expert witnesses and specialists to collaborate with our legal team as we build your personal injury case
• Challenge claims of comparative negligence that could put your car accident claim in jeopardy
• Handle all administrative aspects of your claim on your behalf

We’ll actively seek a top-dollar financial settlement during negotiations with the insurance company and, if they refuse to take responsibility for your tailgating accident, force them to take on our award-winning New Mexico trial attorneys in court.

You’ll have a limited time to seek compensation after a tailgating car accident in Albuquerque. So, don’t hesitate to contact our Albuquerque law office to set a time for a no-charge case evaluation now.