Tailgating: An Unsafe and Unnecessary Georgia Car Accident Risk
Tailgating is one of the most dangerous driving practices and results in many avoidable Georgia car accidents. Sometimes tailgating-related accidents are a product of aggressive driving. Other times such Atlanta collisions are an unsafe driving practice by a driver in too much of a hurry to safeguard other drivers with whom they share the roadway.
Enforcement of laws regarding following another vehicle too closely is sometimes difficult, because while the practice is both unsafe and illegal, the criteria for whether a driver is tailgating is highly subjective. This means many drivers tailgate with minimal risk of suffering any consequences until they are involved in a car crash on Georgia’s roadways.
If you are involved in a car crash with a motorist who collides with your vehicle from behind, the driver that slams into you from behind will generally be considered at-fault for the accident. Tailgating creates an unreasonable risk of harm of causing a serious car crash because the driver has inadequate time or distance to react to unanticipated obstructions or stopped traffic.
Many rear-end auto accidents in Georgia are caused by tailgating drivers. Most drivers have had the experience of traveling down an Atlanta street or Georgia highway and seeing a vehicle in the rearview mirror that is simply too close. Drivers frequently tailgate because they are in a rush and believe that you are not driving fast enough. It is never a good idea to antagonize a tailgating driver because you never know how the tailgating driver may respond. Far too many incidents of road rage begin when a driver antagonizes a tailgating driver. While in some cases a tailgating driver does not even understand that they are engaged in unsafe behavior, the practice results in thousands of car accidents daily throughout the U.S.
If you are involved in a Georgia car crash with a tailgating driver, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment and diagnosis. Even if you do not feel that you have suffered serious injuries, it is common for drivers who are in a traumatic experience like a car accident to be in shock after the accident. Many times Atlanta car crash victims who are rear-ended do not notice more serious symptoms until long after the accident. A prompt medical evaluation can reduce the risk that medical conditions that are not immediately apparent do not get worse due to a failure to treat them promptly. Additionally, seeing a doctor without delay will document any injuries if it becomes necessary to prove to an insurance company that they are related to the accident.
You should also summon law enforcement to the scene to preserve evidence and document the tailgating and rear-end collision. The officer will prepare a formal police report that documents fault in the accident and may even issue the other driver a citation for following too closely. This evidence may assist in proving liability in a subsequent auto accident insurance claim or lawsuit in a Georgia court. If you or a close family member are injured in an accident with a driver who is following too closely, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. The experienced Georgia auto accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, have been representing car wreck victims for over 39 years, and helping families get the compensation they deserve.
Our Georgia auto accident lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.