Tailgating happens when one driver follows another vehicle too closely, usually ignoring recommendations and the law. The law expects every driver to leave enough space to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly slows or stops, particularly when road or weather conditions are poor.
Despite these rules, many people follow too closely because they are impatient, frustrated by traffic, or trying to pressure the car ahead to go faster. When drivers don’t maintain safe following distances, they leave themselves with almost no time to react to sudden obstacles or unexpected stops.
Get in touch with a St. Louis car accident lawyer who will fight for the justice you deserve.
Call (314) 300-6260 to schedule a consultation.
Why Tailgating Is So Dangerous
Tailgating dramatically increases the likelihood of rear-end accidents, especially in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden slow-downs. On highways or packed roads, one rear-end can trigger a chain reaction, leading to pileups involving multiple vehicles. When commercial trucks or large vehicles are involved, the forces are much greater, which can result in massive damage and severe injuries, especially for those in smaller vehicles.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Tailgating Accidents
Even moderate tailgating crashes can cause a wide range of injuries for drivers and passengers, since vehicles behind often slam forward with full force.
- Whiplash
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Bruising
- Nerve damage
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Airbag or seatbelt injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
The physical consequences of a tailgating accident can significantly impact a person’s ability to work, enjoy life, and manage usual daily activities. Even in situations that look minor on the surface, hidden or delayed injuries after a tailgating crash can become much more serious over time.
How Can You Prove a Driver Was Tailgating?
Proving that a driver was tailgating at the time of an accident can be important for showing liability and strengthening your claim. While tailgating is common, it is not always easy to establish without clear evidence or strong observation.
Physical Evidence at the Accident Scene
The point of impact and the spacing between vehicles after a crash can provide clues about whether one of the vehicles was tailgating. If a rear-end collision shows almost no skid marks before impact, or if multiple vehicles are involved in a chain-reaction crash, this may suggest that at least one driver was following much too closely.
Eyewitness Testimony
Statements from people who saw the crash, such as other drivers, passengers, or just people on the street, can provide testimony about whether one of the drivers was tailgating. Reliable testimony establishing tailgating before a crash is helpful in building a strong injury case.
Video Footage and Digital Evidence
Traffic or business security cameras, dashcams, and vehicle event data recorders can provide evidence of tailgating. For example, video showing a car close to another over a stretch of road is persuasive evidence that the following driver failed to allow a safe gap. Documented driving patterns from the vehicle’s event data recorder can show driving patterns and a failure to brake in time.
Police Reports and Citations
When police investigate, they look for physical findings, witness statements, and potentially, admissions from the drivers themselves. They may issue citations specifically for following too closely, and these reports can support your injury claim.
Proof of tailgating can strengthen your accident claim and influence how insurance companies or the court assign fault. The best way to prove that someone else was tailgating and that you should be entitled to compensation is to work with an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Call our team today at (314) 300-6260 to schedule your free case consultation.