Tailgating Car Accidents in Santa Rosa

It’s important to keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you when driving in Santa Rosa, California. If you follow another vehicle too closely, it significantly increases the risk of a collision.

In fact, tailgating - or following too closely - contributes to roughly one-third of all car accidents nationwide every year.

If a driver causes a tailgating car accident in Santa Rosa, they can be held legally responsible for resulting damages - including medical bills, a sudden loss of income, long-term disability, and harder-to-value trauma like pain and suffering.

As a victim, it can be important to hire an experienced Santa Rosa car accident lawyer to help you fight for the maximum financial recovery you’ll need to move forward with your life.

Why is Tailgating Dangerous?

Tailgating is dangerous because it decreases the amount of time a driver has to react to changes in traffic and hit the brakes in time to stop their vehicle.

If you’re riding the bumper of the car in front of you and they slam on their brakes suddenly, there’s no way you’ll be able to avoid a rear-end collision.

How much space should you leave between vehicles to avoid tailgating? Generally speaking, you need to leave a 3-second cushion. Pick an object, like a light post or sign, and note when the vehicle in front of you passes it. It should take you at least three seconds to pass that same object.

The faster vehicles are traveling, the more time it will take for them to come to a complete stop. Similarly, vehicles that weigh more - like commercial trucks and buses - require more time to stop than lighter cars.

So, when driving at higher speeds or operating a large vehicle, it’s important to increase the amount of space between vehicles to reduce the risk of a collision. It’s also important to increase following distance in bad weather conditions as slick road surfaces can limit a vehicle’s ability to brake effectively.

Why Do Drivers in Santa Rosa Tailgate?

Tailgating is, many times, a result of aggressive driving and road rage.

In Santa Rosa, drivers are more likely to tailgate when they’re:

• Stuck in slow-moving traffic
• Late or running behind
• Frustrated by drivers not meeting or exceeding the posted speed limit
• Upset by another driver’s actions on the road (e.g., cutting them off in traffic)
• Speeding
• Attempting to prevent another driver from changing lanes

Sometimes, drivers follow other vehicles too closely unintentionally. When a driver is distracted, drowsy, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they can be more likely to encroach on the vehicle in front of them and tailgate.

How Can I Prove That A Tailgating Driver Caused My Santa Rosa Car Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a Santa Rosa car accident because another driver was tailgating, you’ll have the right to seek compensation from them and/or their insurance company.

In order to win your case, you’ll need evidence to prove that the driver was negligent:

• The driver owed you a duty of care, which included an obligation to drive safely
• The driver breached this duty of care because they were following your vehicle too closely
• The fact that the driver was tailgating was the direct and proximate cause of your car accident, and
• You’ve suffered damages, such as medical bills, a loss of income, and emotional distress

Evidence that can be used to support your case might include red light footage, dash cam footage, witness statements and testimony, forensics reports, and accident reports.

Tailgating Car Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries

Tailgating is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions, which are the most common type of car accident in the United States.

Victims who are involved in rear-end collisions are likely to suffer serious physical injuries, including:

• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injury
• Nerve damage
• Concussion injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Paralysis injury
• Back injury
• Chest injury
• Seatbelt injury
• Airbag injury
• Wrongful death

Rear-end collisions only account for less than 7 percent of the nation’s fatal car accidents every year. Dangerous habits like tailgating - especially at high speeds - are a substantial factor in these fatal rear-end wrecks.

Why Tailgating Accident Victims in Santa Rosa Trust Singleton Schreiber

It can be scary to look in your rearview and see a car right up against your bumper. Your heart might go into your throat when you have to slam on your breaks, knowing that the driver behind you is probably way too close to be able to stop in time.

When a tailgating driver causes a car accident in Santa Rosa, California, it’s important to hold them fully accountable for their reckless actions. Tailgating is either a calculated choice or a consequence of other negligent actions, like texting or drunk driving.

The best way to win a case against a tailgating driver (or their insurance company) is by trusting an experienced Santa Rosa car accident attorney to fight for you.

Tailgating car accident victims trust Singleton Schreiber because we’re an award-winning team of California litigators who offer trustworthy, compassionate, and effective representation when it matters most.

We’re local lawyers who work with national resources as we handle all aspects of our client’s cases, from thorough initial investigations to consultations with experts to aggressive negotiations with the defense.

Our results speak volumes, with over $2.5 billion in insurance benefits, settlement agreements, and jury verdicts recovered.

You’ll have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit after a tailgating accident in Santa Rosa. California law provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death claims. If you miss the deadline, you’ll lose the right to hold the tailgating driver accountable for your injuries.

We offer a complimentary case evaluation, so call our Santa Rosa, CA injury lawyers to get started today.