Seattle Tailgating Accident Lawyer
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Seattle Tailgating Accident Lawyer

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Our attorneys encourage you to seek medical attention if you are involved in a tailgating accident. If a negligent driver has caused you injury, consult with the hardworking tailgate car accident attorneys at Caffee Law to explore your legal options.

Nearly 30 percent of all car accidents that occur in America are rear-end collisions. Studies show that the one common cause of these types of collisions occurs when a vehicle is tailgating another.

Simply put, there is no justified reason to tailgate another driver. This kind of behavior risks serious injury, possible death, and mounting debt to drivers involved in a rear-end collision. If you or a loved one has been injured in a tailgating accident, you may be due monetary compensation from the driver that caused your injuries.

The Seattle tailgating car accident attorneys of Caffee Law have represented many clients that fell victim to this negligent practice, and if this resonates with your experience, we can help you, too.

Contact us at (206) 312-0954 to speak with the car accident attorneys of Caffee Law and recover restitution from those that caused your tailgating accident today.

Common Injuries Suffered in Tailgating Accidents

The severity of injuries caused by a tailgating accident can relate to a number of factors, including the speed at which the tailgater was driving and how many vehicles were also involved.

Common injuries suffered by victims of tailgating accidents include:

  • Burns
  • Broken Glass Injuries
  • Cuts and Lacerations
  • Seat Belt Injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Head and Brain Injuries
  • Internal Organ Injuries
  • Passenger Injuries
  • Rib and Torso Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries

It is likely to assume that tailgaters are in a rush to get to where they are going. In order to avoid any retaliation by enraged drivers, do not attempt to challenge a tailgater. The safest thing to do when someone is tailgating you is to simply switch lanes, or make way for them to pass you, if possible.

Contact us at (206) 312-0954 now for a FREE, no-obligation consultation with dedicated tailgating car accident attorneys.

Common Causes of Tailgating Accidents

Over 6 million motor vehicle accidents occur each year in the United States. While you may be driving properly and in accordance to state and federal traffic laws, other drivers may be in a rush to get to their destination, inattentive to their surroundings, or engaged in a “road rage” situation that puts everyone on the road in harm’s way.

As a result, drivers involved in tailgating accidents can suffer serious injuries and even death. The following explains a little more of these common instances of tailgating in depth:

  1. Road Rage – Drivers tend to speed, disregard the safety of others, and take risks when driving while angry.
  2. Impatient Drivers – Drivers should use the left-lane to pass. A driver who is tailgating should simply be patient until an opportunity to move into the passing lane in a safe way presents itself.
  3. Unaware Drivers – Texting and driving is distracted driving, along with any other factor that takes away the driver’s focus and attention to the road. This kind of driving can lead a driver to tailgate another, which can ultimately cause harm.

In some instances, a driver on the receiving end of a tailgating situation may feel irritated and thus “tap” on their brakes to encourage the tailgater to give them room. Even if you don’t intend to cause trouble, this can cause the tailgater to slam on their breaks, swerve off the road, or collide into your bumper.

Whatever circumstance leads a driver to tailgate, their negligence can put innocent drivers in serious situations. Even minor car accidents can have an impact on your health. Drivers that tailgate must be held responsible for failing to follow the rules of the road.

Contact the skillful Caffee Law car accident attorneys at (206) 312-0954 now for a FREE, no-obligation consultation for your tailgating car accident injuries.

How To Avoid A Tailgating Accident

Although you may be using safe driving practices and techniques, the other driver may not be taking that same precaution.

Take the following tips into consideration to best avoid becoming the victim of a tailgating car accident:

  • Beware of the signs of aggressive driving – Drivers that tailgate may display different signs of aggression, make apparent lane changes, drive well above the speed limit, and have an absolute disregard for the rules of the road.
  • Always maintain a safe speed and driving distance between cars – The speed limit is the fastest you should be driving. If there are any roadway obstructions or bad weather, you should take caution and reduce your speed accordingly. This will ensure you have enough time to brake to drivers in front of you.

The general guideline to maintain a safe distance between your car and the other is to give 10 feet of distance for every 10 mph you go. If you are traveling 30 mph, leave 30 feet in between your car and the one in front of you.

  • Give greater distance when traveling behind 18-wheelers and motorcycles – Larger vehicles take longer to break. Therefore, you should leave more room as they make complete stops. On the other hand, motorcyclists are more vulnerable without the exterior of an automobile, so leaving extra room for them ensures their safety.
  • Double the distance in bad weather conditions – Rain, sleet, fog or other harsh weather conditions should be a clear signal to reduce your speed. Depending on the weather conditions, tire traction can falter, causing the driver to have less control over the vehicle when braking. Accommodate for adequate space when you travel behind another vehicle during adverse weather. Take extra time and space to brake, if necessary.

By practicing defensive driving and following the rules of the road, all drivers can work to reduce the number of rear-end collisions that occur due to tailgating.

The car accident attorneys of Caffee Law want to hear your story. For unmatched legal representation regarding your tailgating accident, contact us at (206) 312-0954 today.

Preventing A Tailgating Accident

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recently published the Driving and Tailgating Fact Sheet that reveals the appropriate distance necessary in braking relates directly to the weight of the vehicle being operated.

For example, an 18-wheeler at capacity should begin to break way sooner than a passenger car should, given the weight difference is in the tens of thousands of pounds. It takes an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler twice as long to make a full stop when compared to a 3,000 pound passenger car.

By utilizing this standard timing rule of driving, you can help prevent a tailgating car accident:

Two-Second Rule

If all roadway conditions are clear and appropriate, then it is advised to travel at least two seconds behind another car. The best way to determine if you are following the rule is by looking at the car in front of you. If it passes a road sign, two seconds must elapse before your vehicle passes that same sign.

Four-Second Rule

If the weather conditions make the road wet and slippery, then you should drive four seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. To ensure a four second safety gap, use the same method of observing the driver ahead of you passing a sign, and make sure it takes you at least four seconds to pass the same sign.

Ten-Second Rule

When there is ice or snow on the road, take extreme precaution and maintain at least ten seconds of driving distance. It may seem like a long distance to travel behind a car, but this is the best way to avoid a car accident in adverse weather.

Compensation Awarded in a Tailgating Accident

If a driver caused you harm in a rear-end collision by tailgating, you should seek legal consultation from Caffee Law to see if you are eligible for compensation. Your compensation may depend on the severity of injuries and damages that occurred from your car accident.

Compensation for victims of tailgating car accidents can include, but are not limited to:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages

If the driver acted with intentional negligence, then they may face punitive charges. These charges do not serve to compensate victims, but will serve to enforce the law and discourage similar acts of negligence in the future.

Reliable tailgating car accident attorneys looking out for your best interest

At Caffee Law we know a car accident can have a serious impact on the lives of victims. We want to be there to guide you through every step of the legal process in seeking compensation.

Drivers that tailgate must be held liable for their failure to follow the rules of the road. For the help of a dedicated legal team that has a record of success in achieving recovered damages and client satisfaction, seek out the compassionate tailgating car accident lawyers of Caffee Law.

Do not hesitate to get the legal help you deserve in order to make your best recovery from a tailgating accident. Call (206) 312-0954 or contact us online now for a FREE, no-obligation consultation from dedicated car accident attorneys.