Why You Shouldn’t Tailgate
Maintaining a safe trailing distance from the vehicle in front of you is one of the most basic rules of the road that you are required to follow in New York. Failing to do so can put you – as well as the other driver – at risk.
Unfortunately, not everyone tends to follow this rule. In fact, tailgating is so common among motorists – particularly among young motorists – that experts call it a ‘normalized unsafe behavior’.
The Dangers of Tailgating
When you follow a vehicle too closely, you might not have enough time to stop your vehicle in case the vehicle in front of you slows down or abruptly stops. Even if you slam the brakes hard, you still might not be able to stop your vehicle dead in its track and as a result crash into the vehicle in front of you.
This is because each vehicle has its own stopping distance – the time it takes for it to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied. For instance, if you are driving at 40 MPH, your vehicle might cover 80-100 feet before coming to a complete stop. If your following distance is less than your vehicle’s stopping distance, a crash is inevitable – regardless of other factors.
Moreover, if you slam the brakes with all your power to avoid a crash, your vehicle might spin out of control or even roll over, as a result of which you could get seriously injured. If the vehicle in front of you happens to be a commercial truck, your vehicle could slide right under it – resulting in a devastating accident.
It should be noted that the faster you are driving, the more time it will take for your vehicle to come to a complete stop. Similarly, the bigger your vehicle, the more time it will take for it to come to a complete stop.
How to Avoid Tailgating
The best way to avoid tailgating is to follow the two-second rule. At any given point, you should always be two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
If it is snowing or raining or if the road conditions are bad, you should extend the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you – so that you are 5 to 10 seconds behind it.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Tailgating Accident in New York?
In a vast majority of cases, the motorist who tailgates is the one who can be held liable for the accident. However, if a lead driver (the vehicle in front) tries to cut off the driver behind them, or if they suddenly stop their vehicle for no reason, they can be held partially liable for the accident – even if the driver behind them was tailgating them at the time of the accident.
If you lost control of your vehicle due to a defective part and rear-ended the vehicle in front, you might be able to sue the manufacturer for damages as well.
Seasoned Tailgating Accident Attorneys in New York are Ready to Help You
If you have been injured in a tailgating accident, the experienced New York personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff can help you get the compensation you deserve. Led by Michael S. Lamonsoff – one of the most accomplished and highest rated civil litigators in the country – our legal team has a track record of winning cases that most other firms might think twice about pursuing.
To discuss your tailgating accident with a proven New York personal injury lawyer, call our firm today at 212-962-1020 or contact us online and schedule a free consultation.