Tailgating Accidents In Oklahoma City
Two-car collisions cause more car accident deaths than any other type of accident, including in Oklahoma City. According to National Safety Council (NSA) Data, one of the most common types of two-car collisions is a tailgating accident. Sometimes called rear-end collisions, tailgating accidents make up over 17% of two-vehicle collisions and caused about 3,400 deaths in a single recent year. Tailgating accidents occur at intersections, on major roadways, in urban areas, and on community roads. They happen when one car fails to slow or stop in time to avoid crashing into the back end of another car. Make sure to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City for legal guidance and support.
What are the Common Causes of Tailgating Accidents In Oklahoma City?
It’s common to consider tailgating accidents as minor fender benders, but when they happen at speeds greater than a rolling stop, they can cause serious injuries or fatalities. The most common causes of tailgating accidents include the following:
- Following too closely behind another car
- Distracted driving
- Speeding (which requires longer stopping times)
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Sudden stops
- Brake failure in the rear vehicle
- Faulty brake lights or brake light failure in the front vehicle
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
When a tailgating accident occurs, the crash force propels the occupants of the front vehicle forward before the seatbelt snaps them back against the seat, placing tremendous stress on the skeletal system, particularly the neck and back.
Common Injuries In Tailgating Accidents
Injuries in tailgating accidents are often more severe in the front vehicle, because the occupants never see the crash coming and aren’t able to brace themselves. A powerful rear-end collision causes injuries such as the following:
- Whiplash (rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash) and other neck injuries, including vertebral fractures
- Back injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures, especially of the wrists and knees
- Soft-tissue injuries to wrists, knees, shoulders, and other body parts
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
- Airbag injuries to the face and upper body
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
Injuries in tailgating accidents are not only painful and potentially life-altering, but they are also expensive, especially when they interfere with the ability to work and perform routine daily tasks. Under Oklahoma’s fault-based car accident laws, recovering compensation in an Oklahoma City tailgating accident claim requires compelling proof of fault and liability.
Liability In Oklahoma City Tailgating Accidents
The driver in the rear vehicle is almost always the party at fault in a tailgating accident in Oklahoma City and elsewhere. Less commonly, the driver in the front is liable for damages if they came to a sudden halt in the road, such as for an animal or when intentionally brake-checking. Proving liability in tailgating accidents in Oklahoma City requires showing that the at-fault driver owed a duty of reasonable care to the other driver, they breached this duty of care through negligence, and their breach of duty directly caused injury. Then, the injury victim must show evidence that they suffered damages from the accident.
What Damages Can I Recover In an Oklahoma City Tailgating Accident Claim?
Accidents can quickly cause financial hardship, especially when they prevent a prompt return to work. Some accidents result in disability or impairment that makes it impossible to return to the type of job the injury victim previously held. Common damages recovered in Oklahoma City car accident claims include the following:
- Property damage
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss
- Lowered future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In some cases, additional compensation is available for catastrophic damages such as loss of limb, disfigurement, the loss of one of the senses, loss of enjoyment of life, or diminished quality of life due to disability. If a tailgating accident in Oklahoma City causes fatal injuries, a close family member could recover compensation for wrongful death.
How Can an Oklahoma City Tailgating Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
Under the state’s fault-based injury law, Oklahoma City car accident victims have the burden of proving liability. Call an experienced Oklahoma City injury attorney at Dan Davis Law for the skilled legal counsel you can trust for the maximum financial recovery.