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Tailgating Troubles: The Danger of Aggressive Driving


How many times have you been driving either on a highway or a single-lane road, only to find another car, truck or motorcycle following unreasonably close behind you? This practice is called tailgating and it is extremely serious. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that it's the vehicle behind which is at fault in 95 percent of Texas auto accidents, so it you find yourself tailgating or the victim of a tailgater, you are in a very hazardous position.

Tailgating is dangerous not just because it is a leading cause of road rage, but also because it impairs both drivers' ability to safely react to other hazards on the road. Safe drivers must leave a safe gap between their vehicle and the one in front of them. This safe gap is eliminated when tailgating occurs; meaning that if the car in front was forced to suddenly apply their breaks a collision would almost certainly occur.

Why do some motorists engage in this dangerous practice?

While there might be a number of reasons why someone is riding closely behind another vehicle (such as someone driving on autopilot) in most cases they simply want to get past you. This might be because they're either impatient, naturally aggressive or else have a genuine emergency. Obviously, they should never be tailgating regardless of the situation but it's always best to just try to get out of their way as soon as possible.

How should I deal with an aggressive tailgater?

Being followed by a tailgater can be an extremely stressful experience. Looking back at them in your mirror can distract you from the road ahead meaning you could potentially miss any other obstacles in the road way. If they are particularly aggressive, it can also cause you to become aggressive in response. In order to avoid further escalating the element of danger, it is always the best course of action to get rid of the tailgater as quickly as possible.

The common goal of most tailgaters is simply to get past you. If you're on a multi-lane road and you're able to move over one lane and let them pass, then do that. Remember that you have nothing to lose by letting them go in front of you. If anything, you will gain because you don't have this dangerous driver behind you, instead they will be in front of you where you can keep an eye on them. It's actually very likely that they'll be gone and out of sight very soon anyway.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash caused by a tailgater or other aggressive driver, it's important to realize that you do have legal rights granted to you by the state of Texas. For more information you can request a free copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck You Texas Accident Claim. To schedule a complimentary, no obligation consultation on your personal injury case with an experienced attorney, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.


Other Articles You Might Be Interested In:
Will a Judge or Jury Decide My Car Wreck Case?
Distracted Driving is Dangerous Driving
Learning To Drive: The Graduated Driver's License (GDL)
When Life Spins Out Of Control: Important Steps After A Car Accident
Making a Claim When The Negligent Driver Died In The Wreck




15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case!

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