Dallas Tailgating Lawyer

Rear-end accidents often happen in Dallas, and tailgating is the cause for many of them. A driver tailgates when they follow too closely behind the vehicle in front of them. If a tailgating driver caused your accident, it’s time to speak with an experienced Dallas tailgating lawyer.

Our Dallas car accident lawyers can help. We have worked with countless accident victims injured in tailgating-related crashes. We can help you build a strong insurance claim to pursue compensation for the accident damages you did not cause.

To get a 100% FREE, no-risk consultation today, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online.

Texas Tailgating Laws

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.062 requires drivers to “maintain an assured clear distance” when following another vehicle so that the driver can safely stop and not cause a collision. Drivers should take all current driving factors into account, including highway conditions, speed, and traffic.

Truck Tailgating Laws

Truck drivers who are driving on roads outside of businesses or residential areas and following another truck should allow enough room for a passing vehicle to enter the space between the two trucks safely.

Tailgating is dangerous for truck drivers in several ways:

Trucks need a longer distance before they can entirely stop, so a tailgating truck is a hazardous situation, especially if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly.
Truck drivers cannot see the space right behind their vehicles. If another driver is tailgating a truck driver and the truck stops suddenly, it can cause a fatal underride accident.
Road conditions can make tailgating even more dangerous for truckers, as they might need even more time to slow down and navigate traffic.

Texas laws are not straightforward about how much distance should be between vehicles to avoid tailgating. However, the National Safety Council (NSC) and other experts recommend a following interval of two to three seconds. If it’s raining, snowing, icy, dark outside, or otherwise less safe to drive, the following distance should increase to four seconds or more.

You can measure a following range by counting the seconds between when the front car’s rear bumper passes a fixed object on the side of the road and when your car’s bumper passes that same fixed object.

The Dangers of Tailgating in Dallas

When one driver tailgates another driver, the action robs both drivers of their ability to avoid a dangerous situation. If the front driver has to brake suddenly or perform another unexpected motion, it might be impossible for the tailgating driver to avoid a collision.

When tailgating involves a semi-truck or another large commercial vehicle, the resulting injuries are often fatal.

Don’t Wait to Get Started on Your Tailgating Claim

Personal injury cases take time, so don’t delay taking action. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company if you did not cause your accident. The sooner you can begin building your case, the better.

The Statute of Limitations Is Two Years

In Texas and most other states, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a case. If you try to file outside of the two years, you will lose your chance to pursue compensation. Thankfully, a Dallas tailgating lawyer can help you file your claim on time and as efficiently as possible.

Gathering Evidence for Your Injury Claim

To have a successful injury claim, you will need to show that:

The other driver owed you a duty of care
The driver breached their legal duty
The driver’s negligence caused the tailgating accident
The tailgating accident caused your injuries and other damages

To back up the above points, you will need to provide proof of the accident, the other driver’s negligence, and your accident damages. This takes time to do, but the more substantial the evidence you can provide, the better chance you have of receiving full compensation.

Here are some of the ways you can gather evidence for your claim:

Take pictures of anything and everything at the accident scene.
Get medical treatment as soon as possible, and get copies of your records.
Get statements from any eyewitnesses.
Obtain surveillance camera footage that might have captured the accident.
Ask for a copy of the police report after calling to report the accident.
Save medical bills, evidence of missed work time, receipts, and anything else that shows your costs.

Gathering sufficient evidence for a tailgating accident claim is complicated. An experienced Dallas tailgating lawyer can help you with every step. To discuss the details during a FREE, no-strings-attached legal consultation, call (469) 998-4069, or contact us online.

Damages You Can Collect After a Tailgating Accident

There are two main types of damages from a tailgating accident:

Economic damages
Non-economic damages

Economic Damages

Economic damages have monetary values. You can show your economic losses through medical records, receipts, and other documentation.

Examples of economic damages you can claim include:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Property damage

In Texas, compensation for your economic damages can only equal your actual losses the accident caused. It’s best to consult with a lawyer to ensure you are filing a claim for all past, current, and future economic damages from the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages account for:

Physical pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of enjoyment of life
Disfigurement
Loss of companionship

Texas does not put a cap on non-economic damages. These losses do not have a set dollar amount, so you’ll want to get help from a lawyer when determining how much your non-economic damages are worth.

Speak with a Dallas Tailgating Lawyer for Free Today

Our Dallas car accident lawyers can help you build a strong injury claim after a tailgating accident. We know what it takes to win these types of cases, and never charge a fee unless we’re able to win your case. You can work with us and not worry about any out-of-pocket expenses or upfront costs.

If you do not have reliable transportation for the consultation, we’re happy to come to you or meet wherever is most convenient. Schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (469) 998-4069.