Tailgating is a dangerous driving practice that often causes rear end collisions. Nevada law requires drivers to leave a reasonable following distance between their vehicles and the traffic vehicles in front. Impatient drivers who follow too closely and fail to leave adequate space to stop safely may be financially liable if they cause a rear end collision. If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a tailgating driver in Las Vegas, you might be unsure of the proper steps to take to hold the tailgating driver accountable for the harm you’ve suffered.
Contact the Las Vegas rear end accident lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law if you’ve been injured in a tailgating accident. Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have recovered more than $400 million in compensation for our clients. We believe that attorneys who really care about their clients get better results. If you want to know more about how we might be able to help you, contact our Las Vegas office for a free initial consultation.
How To Build a Tailgating Accident Injury Case in Las Vegas
A driver who was following another vehicle too closely on a Las Vegas roadway and caused a collision may be financially liable for the injuries sustained in the accident.
If the negligent driver who rear ended you received a moving violation for following too closely, that may be the basis for pursuing an injury claim and proving fault.
As your personal injury attorneys, the legal team at Sam & Ash will seek the following types of evidence to prove that the driver who hit you was violating Nevada law by following too closely.
Some types of evidence that we will seek include:
- Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or other sources
- Police accident report
- Eyewitness accounts
- Photos and other evidence from the scene of the crash
Las Vegas Tailgating Accidents Statistics
According to research from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, there were 87 deaths statewide from rear end car accidents over a five-year period. Tailgating accident fatalities accounted for about eight percent of all traffic deaths during that time period. Traffic fatalities include deaths from pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents, which were by far the most common causes of death during the period.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate about 32 percent of all multi-vehicle crashes nationwide were rear end collisions in a recent year. Tailgating accidents were the leading cause of accidents in which someone was injured as well as accidents in which only property was damaged.
Reasons Why Drivers Tailgate
It’s never a good decision to follow another vehicle too closely. Some of the common reasons drivers choose to tailgate include:
- They’re in a hurry and are trying to shave time off their trip
- They want to pressure the driver in front to speed up
- They put their needs ahead of other drivers’ safety
- They are not paying attention to their following distance
- They believe they are skilled enough to avoid a collision if the driver in front stops quickly
Is Tailgating Illegal in Las Vegas?
Nevada has a law that makes tailgating illegal. Section 484B.127 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) says drivers should not follow the car in front of them more closely than is “reasonable and prudent” in light of the traffic conditions and the condition of the highway. Following too closely is a moving violation.
If a driver is cited for following too closely, the driver may be fined and have four demerit points added to their driver’s license, according to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
Furthermore, a driver who was following too closely at the time of an accident may be found financially liable for the crash and may have to pay compensation to those who are injured.
If you were injured by a negligent driver who was tailgating, you may hold the negligent driver accountable.
Types of Tailgating That Can Cause a Car Accident in Las Vegas
A motorist may follow too closely because he or she is inattentive and is not paying adequate attention to the traffic ahead.
The second kind of tailgating is when someone deliberately chooses to follow closely behind to pressure you to go faster or move over. Drivers who intentionally choose to tailgate put themselves and others around them at risk of injury.
People who tailgate should be held accountable when they cause traffic accidents.
Ways To Deal with Tailgaters
The best way to deal with a tailgater is to keep calm. Having another driver riding on your bumper can be frustrating. You should focus on your own driving and follow posted speed limits.
You can’t control what other drivers do, but you can take steps to minimize the chances of a crash. When driving on a multi-lane highway, put on your turn signal and move to the right lane so the tailgating driver has room to pass.
If there is no passing lane to let the other motorist get around you, you may consider turning into a parking lot or taking an exit ramp to let the tailgating drive go by.
Although you may be tempted to tap the brakes as a signal to the driver behind you, you should not be confrontational.
What Are the Dangers of Tailgating?
Drivers who follow too closely leave an unsafe amount of space between their vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Tailgaters don’t leave themselves enough room to react and stop safely if the car ahead brakes suddenly.
A rear end collision could injure you, the tailgating driver, the passengers, and potentially others in a multi-vehicle accident. Rear end car accidents can cause major injuries. It’s important to see a doctor right away if you are in an accident.
Tailgating Safety Tips To Prevent Injuries
It’s impossible to avoid all tailgaters, but here are a few tips to help keep you and your passengers safe:
- Go the speed limit.
- Stay in the far-right traffic lane.
- Do not tap your brakes.
- Have someone else in your car call the police (do not make the call yourself).
Talk to Seasoned Car Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas for Help
If you have been involved in a collision with a tailgating driver and sustained injuries, the car accident lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law can help you recover the money to pay for your medical bills and other expenses. When someone does you wrong, you deserve What’s Right. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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