Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Tailgating

Although motorcyclists have all the same rights to the road as other motorists, the impatience of other drivers when it comes to being in traffic together means there is a high potential for collisions, such as rear-end accidents, caused by tailgating to occur. Alternately, motorcycles may also follow other vehicles too closely, leading to serious injuries. The Miami motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help those who have been injured, along with families who have lost loved ones, due to a devastating motorcycle crash. Victims who are riding a motorcycle and are involved in a collision are more likely to suffer significant, life-altering injuries than those driving or riding in a standard car or truck. As such, these victims often need financial assistance to cover the costs of long-term recovery efforts. Most motorcycle accidents caused by tailgating are the result of the negligent actions of the driver following too closely, and that driver should be held accountable for the harm done. Our lawyers assist motorcycle collision victims in the South Florida area, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties with any necessary legal action. If you need legal guidance in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, please contact our office today and you can set up a free consultation to learn more about our services.

Tailgating refers to when a driver fails to maintain the required and proper distance when following behind another vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies the act of tailgating as an aggressive driving practice, that many times results in serious or fatal collisions. This is especially true when one of the vehicles involved in tailgating activity is a motorcycle. When a motorcyclist is involved in a rear-end accident, he or she can be ejected from the vehicle, and may hit another car or object before landing, or even be thrown in front of another vehicle. These multiple impacts occur while a motorcyclist has little to no protection for their body, which can lead to injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and disfigurement. In some cases, the injuries are fatal.

Tailgating is most often a deliberate action taken by an impatient driver, and not only is it unsafe, but it is also illegal in Florida. When a motorist injures another as a result of his or her aggressive driving, they should be held legally accountable. Negligence is the legal standard a plaintiff needs to prove in order to succeed in a legal claim of either personal injury or wrongful death. A defendant is negligent when he or she has breached a duty of reasonable care owed to another, causing that other person’s injury or death, which results in damages. A driver who is tailgating a motorcyclist and then rear-ends that vehicle, would be found to have acted unreasonably. Even if more than one party has acted negligently in causing an accident, an injured plaintiff can still recover compensation from the other negligent party involved. For example, when a driver tailgates a motorcyclist, and that motorcyclist decides to stop suddenly on purpose in an attempt to escalate the situation, leading to an accident, both may be found to have engaged in negligence. However, under Florida’s comparative fault scheme of liability, the one injured will receive damages in proportion, and offset by, each party’s percentage of negligence. Compensation may include past and future medical costs, loss of income or earning capacity, and pain and suffering for personal injury victims. Families who have lost loved ones in a fatal accident may also be compensated for burial or funeral costs and loss of support.

Tailgating is dangerous to everyone on the road, as when a vehicle is being too-closely followed makes a sudden stop or there is a change in traffic. There is rarely enough time or distance to avoid a collision. In such instances, motorcyclists are most vulnerable to the most serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, when this occurs, and those who are responsible should bear the burden of the costs associated with such injuries. Attorney Robert Dixon represents victims in motorcycle accidents caused by tailgating and will pursue the proper claims in order to receive the compensation you need and are entitled to. Please contact our lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon by calling 877.499.4878 or online to schedule a free, no obligation consultation so that we can start helping you today.