You should not have to pay for the action (or inaction) of another driver. If you were following all rules and laws, and still got rear-ended due to another driver choosing to tailgate you, you may be eligible for compensation.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your case and how your collision occurred. Reach us at (800) 223-5115. An Arlington Heights tailgating accident lawyer may be able to help you.
We Will Figure Out How Your Accident Occurred
Tailgating accidents are not only ones that occur in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the other driver in your accident may have been acting in the following ways on the road:
They Were Distracted
Your accident may have taken place when you were following the flow of traffic in a way that enabled you to see what was coming. You may have seen the traffic jam in front of you and were able to brake at the appropriate moment. However, the driver behind you might have been distracted for any of the following reasons:
- Paying attention to the radio or passengers in the car
- Sightseeing
- Not concentrating on the road and letting their mind drift
- Texting, talking on the phone, or posting on social media
They Were Ignorant
Some people might claim to not know the laws of the road. However, to legally drive in Illinois, a person needs a valid driver’s license. Even if they are passing through from another state, they must be able to follow speeding limits and know not to drive too closely to other vehicles.
They Were Complacent
The other driver in your accident may have a habit of risky driving. They may have been under the impression that their actions have been okay, as long as they did not get caught by authorities. However, their choice may have injured you. Your Arlington Heights tailgating accident lawyer can look into the other party’s driving record to determine if this is not the first time they caused such an accident.
They Were Aggressive
The other driver in question may have been aggressive while behind the wheel. They may have chosen to drive while emotionally upset or reacted to something (or someone) on the road and retaliated in many ways, including:
- Speeding
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Driving too close to other vehicles (including yours)
- Attempting to force your vehicle off of the road
- Attempting to pass other vehicles under unsafe conditions
These conditions could have been related to the actions the other driver took before tailgating you. Tailgating can also be considered aggressive, in and of itself. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm so we can help you identify the cause of your accident.
What to Do When You Want to Pursue Awards
After filing a police report and seeking medical treatment, you can file an insurance claim with your provider for your covered losses. You can seek awards from your own insurance company under your policy. If your policy does not cover all of your accident-related expenses, however, you can seek the rest from the other party.
You (or your lawyer) can negotiate with all the insurance companies for a fair settlement. You should not take the first offer that the company gives you, as they may not be taking all of your projected losses into account. Your lawyer can valuate all of your damages, including any chronic pain you may experience or physical therapy you may need after the accident.
If your lawyer cannot secure a fair settlement on your behalf, you may decide to file a lawsuit. You must do so within two years imposed by 735 ILCS 5/13-202, though—or you risk losing your chance. Your lawyer can help secure an out-of-court settlement at any time during the case. Some people try to aim for this goal in order to avoid court fees.
If the Other Driver Fled the Scene
If you were a victim of a hit and run, do not worry. We have ways of finding the other driver. Your Arlington Heights tailgating accident lawyer can do the following in these situations:
- Subpoena nearby security and traffic cameras to find footage of the vehicle and license plate
- Speak to any eyewitnesses whose contact information you collected at the scene
- Scour the other traffic reports of the day to see if the other driver may have been involved in another accident
- Scan the license plate number of the other vehicle, if you managed to write it down or otherwise capture it
For a free legal consultation with a Tailgating Accidents Lawyer serving Arlington Heights, call (800) 223-5115
You Do Not Owe Us Anything Upfront
Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis, which can help if you are under financial stress. After the accident, you may have a lot of expenses—especially if you are at home recovering and cannot work.
We can alleviate some pressure by not charging you before we work together. We will each sign an agreement that explains how we take our attorney’s fees out of your settlement or judgement in a contract. Then, we will get started on your case.
Our team is determined to help you secure fair compensation. We are ready to do the following:
- Collect all available evidence
- Valuate your damages
- Study the scene of the accident
- Answer your legal questions
- Visit you in person or speak with you over the phone, via email, through social media, or with a video call
- File all paperwork on time, with the proper parties
- Negotiate with insurance companies for you
- Represent you at trial, if necessary
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 so we can begin.
Call or text (800) 223-5115 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
