Following too closely behind another vehicle causes thousands of preventable accidents each year. When drivers fail to maintain a safe following distance, they put everyone at risk by reducing their reaction time and ability to brake safely. Tailgating can lead to violent rear-end collisions that can cause devastating injuries, especially when vehicles are traveling at high speeds.
If you have been hurt by a tailgating driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses with the help of a car accident lawyer in Bakersfield. Here is what you need to know.
What Constitutes Tailgating in Bakersfield?
California Vehicle Code Section 21703 requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance that allows them to stop without colliding with the vehicle ahead. The law does not specify a mandatory distance, only that the driver must maintain reasonable and prudent spacing. Multiple factors can influence the following distance, including weather conditions, road surface quality, vehicle speed, and traffic patterns.
Common Injuries and Damage from Tailgating Accidents
Tailgating crashes often result in severe trauma due to the sudden, forceful impact. Victims frequently suffer:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe sprains and strains
These injuries can transform your life. Beyond the immediate physical pain, you may face overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and an inability to care for your family or enjoy normal activities. You may also experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress that linger long after your physical injuries have healed. This combined financial and emotional toll can affect your relationships, career prospects, and overall quality of life for years to come.
How to Prove That the Other Driver Was Tailgating
If you were injured by a tailgating driver, you deserve justice. In California, victims of tailgating accidents may have grounds for a lawsuit or insurance claim that can provide them with the financial resources that they need to recover. To file a successful claim, however, you must show that the other driver’s actions directly caused your accident and injuries.
Multiple forms of evidence can help establish that tailgating occurred. Video footage from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby security systems may have captured the incident. Physical evidence at the crash scene, including skid marks and debris patterns, can help accident reconstruction experts prove the following distance between the vehicles involved.
Beyond these physical forms of evidence, you can also use statements from those present to strengthen your claim. Police reports often contain statements made by drivers at the scene, which can reveal tailgating behavior. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers in the area can testify about the events leading up to the crash. Your medical records can document the full extent and severity of your injuries, and your lawyer can connect you with a physician who can testify about how these injuries can happen in these rear-end collisions.
Protect Your Rights After a Bakersfield Tailgating Accident
A tailgating accident can disrupt your entire life. Trust Rodriguez & Associates to recover the compensation you need to rebuild and move forward. Our Bakersfield injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, document all damages, and fight for maximum compensation while you concentrate on recovery. Take the first step toward justice and contact us at (661) 777-7575 for a free consultation.