Tailgating refers to the reckless act of one vehicle following another vehicle too closely. This can be dangerous on the road and can lead to very serious accidents. If you have been the victim of a tailgating accident, you could be suffering in many different ways, but it is important to remember that you have legal options during this difficult time.
If you are interested in reviewing your options with a lawyer, an Aurora tailgating lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to discuss your case with you during a free, no-obligation consultation. Call (800) 223-5115 today to learn more.
Why Drivers Tailgate
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vehicle accidents cause over 30,000 deaths and nearly two million injuries every year in the United States alone. These figures do not even take the property loss and medical expenses caused by accidents into account, in addition to the emotional pain inflicted on victims. The CDC estimated that in 2017 alone, expenses related to vehicle accidents approached $75 billion.
It is easy to see that vehicle accidents are a real problem and a serious threat to your health and well-being. One cause of accidents is tailgating. Tailgating, defined simply, is when one vehicle follows another vehicle at an unsafe distance.
There is no specific reason why drivers choose to tailgate, but tailgating can put you and your loved ones in danger. If you have been involved in a tailgating accident, it is possible another party is at fault for your suffering. Reasons why your tailgating accident could have occurred include but are not limited to the following:
- Negligence: In some cases of tailgating, negligence could be the culprit. Negligence on the road is the failure to drive in a safe or reasonable manner. Sometimes a driver simply may not be aware that they are following another vehicle too closely, or perhaps they are not paying attention. Just because tailgating is not intentional does not mean it is not dangerous and illegal.
- Inexperience: One of the real dangers of tailgating is that the driver is who tailgating does not have enough time to react to changes in traffic patterns. If you need to suddenly brake, a driver following you at a safe distance has time to react, while a tailgating driver could cause a rear-end collision. Sometimes, this is due to inexperience, but even an inexperienced driver is still at fault in these cases.
- Speeding: Speeding is consistently one of the leading causes of accidents, injuries, and suffering on the road each year. Speeding drivers sometimes swerve in and out of traffic, driving recklessly on the way to their destination. When a vehicle is traveling faster than other vehicles on the road, tailgating can happen. If a speeding driver were tailgating you and this led to an accident, you could have grounds for legal action.
Regardless of what caused another driver to tailgate, tailgating is dangerous and inexcusable. Your accident could have resulted in various forms of damage and suffering.
Suffering and Loss from Tailgating Accidents
Some of the ways in which your tailgating accident could have impacted your life include the following:
- Physical injury: If you have been the victim of an accident related to tailgating, you could have suffered a range of injuries from minor to severe. Some accidents can even be fatal. Accidents can lead to ongoing medical treatment or disability that could affect your ability to work, earn wages, and go about your daily life.
- Property damage and financial loss: Vehicle accidents can lead to damaged vehicles or the loss of personal property. Along with expensive medical bills, this can put you in a difficult financial position. If your accident was not your fault, it is possible to recover compensation for your losses.
- Emotional suffering: Being the victim of a traumatic event, such as a tailgating accident, can leave you emotionally scarred. Some victims even require treatment for anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, fear of driving after an accident, and more.
If you are suffering and want to learn more about your legal options during this difficult time, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Tailgating Accidents Lawyer serving Aurora, call (800) 223-5115
Recoverable Compensation
Being the victim of a tailgating accident can profoundly impact your life, and in some cases, victims choose to pursue justice against those responsible by taking legal action.
This could include reimbursement for legal and medical expenses related to the accident, punitive damages awarded to prevent similar accidents in the future, lost wages, money for property loss or vehicle damage, and much more.
If you are exploring your legal options, it could be in your best interest to discuss your case with an Aurora tailgating lawyer, so that you better understand the types of compensation potentially available for you and your family.
Aurora Tailgating Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 223-5115
Contact Us Now
As you struggle with possible financial hardship, injuries, emotional suffering, and other difficulties, it might feel overwhelming to consider filing a legal claim. Before deciding on whether or not legal action is right for you, remember that pursuing justice could help you find a sense of closure, and you could even be awarded compensation that can make life easier during your recovery.
If you are ready to take action against those responsible for your accident, or if you are simply exploring your options, an Aurora tailgating lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help.
You could have a limited amount of time to act based on the statute of limitations, so take action now to ensure your case meets the two-year deadline, under Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Call (800) 223-5115 today.
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