Have you ever followed closely behind a motorist because they were going too slowly? Have you tailgated the person in front of you to prevent another motorist from cutting in between? You’ve undoubtedly been on the receiving end of this kind of behavior. No one wants to admit it, but everyone has been guilty of poor driving. Nevertheless, tailgating another driver is an offense for which you can be ticketed, and tailgating easily leads to Michigan car accidents.
The Bad Behavior of Tailgating
Sometimes tailgating another car is an annoying way to say, “Go faster.”
Sometimes impatient drivers tailgate aggressively, getting as close as possible to the car in front of them.
There are distracted drivers who follow too closely without even realizing they’re doing it.
Every instance of tailgating is a problem. Following too closely behind a vehicle increases the likelihood of a rear-end collision exponentially.
The rule of the road is that you should keep at least three seconds of traveling distance in between your car and the car ahead of you. Should the car in front stop short, you should be able to stop too to avoid a collision. Combining tailgating behavior with hazardous road conditions like wet or icy roads, heavy traffic, or high rates of speed is incredibly dangerous – it’s also a fast way to turn a Michigan driver into an at-fault driver.
Is Tailgating Considered Negligence?
Every driver is responsible for following the rules of the road. If this duty is breached, if the action results in an injury to another driver, and if that injury can be compensated monetarily, it fits the definition of negligence.
When you are in a Michigan car accident, you will file a first-party claim with your own insurance company to get reimbursed for any medical costs, lost wages, and replacement services. Because Michigan is a no-fault state, some people assume they cannot get compensation for their accident from the person they consider the at-fault driver, but you can. You can file a third-party claim with the other motorist’s insurance company for pain and suffering. Ideally, you will have an experienced Michigan car accident attorney working alongside you in this endeavor.
The Terrifying Consequences of Tailgating
If your car is being tailgated, there isn’t much you can do to change the situation. You can only control your own actions on the road, which could include pulling over to allow the hurried driver to go by.
Unfortunately, there are some situations where it simply isn’t possible to stop on the side of the road or change lanes. In cases like this, you could speed up, even though you might not be comfortable doing so, or you can maintain your speed with a belligerent and aggressive driver on your tail.
Rear-end collisions are the most frequent types of car accidents in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Rear-end crashes, at low or high rates of speed, can cause whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, fractures, and some can be fatal.
If you have been the victim of a tailgating car accident or rear-end collision, contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today.
