Tailgating at a football game or other sporting event is a great way to spend time with family and friends before the event. However, tailgating while driving is a way to end up in a rear-end crash. Tailgating is the act of driving too close to the vehicle in front of your vehicle. It is a bad driving habit that many drivers practice, especially in traffic or when following a driver who is traveling slower than the posted speed limit.

Tailgating accidents can usually be avoided. Drivers who are tailgate are often irritated and aggressive. This bad driving habit can lead to a rear-end crash that injures the drivers and passengers in both vehicles.  The sad fact is that most tailgating accidents can be avoided.

Ways You Can Decrease Your Risk for A Tailgating Accident

These tips can help you avoid a rear-end crash with the car in front of you.

  • Avoid distracted driving so you can focus completely on the traffic in front of you. Remain alert at all times and allow plenty of room to stop if the car in front of you suddenly slams on the brakes.
  • As you increase your speed, you need to increase the length between you and the car in front of you to allow you to stop. For example, if you are traveling at 50 mph, a minimum of 50 feet is required between you and the car in front of you. For every 10 miles of speed, add another 10 feet of distance between you and a vehicle in front of you. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry — allow more room to avoid a rear-end crash.
  • If you are driving a large vehicle, allow even more room to stop because it takes longer for a large, heavier vehicle to stop.
  • When driving in poor weather conditions, you also need to allow more room to stop. A good rule of thumb is to double the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in poor weather. Therefore, at 50 miles per hour, the minimum distance should be 100 feet. Also, remember that speed limits are designed for optimal driving conditions. You should reduce speed in poor weather conditions.

As you can see, the best way to avoid a tailgating accident is to remain alert and allow plenty of space between your vehicle and other vehicles. If you remember these safety tips, you can avoid most rear-end crashes.

However, you cannot control what the driver behind you does behind the wheel. Therefore, if you are rear-ended, you need to call a New Orleans car accident attorney to discuss your legal options to receive compensation for your injuries.

Call Our New Orleans Car Accident Attorney for More Information

If you have been injured in a tailgating accident, we want to help you recover compensation from the driver who caused the accident. Call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm for a free consultation and case evaluation. Contact our office at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 or visit our website for more information. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your lost wages, property damage, medical bills, and physical injuries.