Rear-end collisions are among the most common car accidents in Washington or elsewhere. Sometimes called “tailgating accidents” we tend to consider this type of accident as a minor fender-bender with little more damage than a few frightening moments and a dented bumper. Sadly, tailgating accidents have increased in number and severity since the rise of the smartphone and increasing distractions behind the wheel. Make sure to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer in Arlington for legal guidance if you were injured in an accident.
What Causes Tailgating Accidents In Washington?
According to the National Safety Council (NSA), tailgating accidents made up about 17.3% of two-car collisions in 2022, resulting in an alarming 3,400 fatalities.Tailgating accidents most commonly occur in intersections, but they also happen on open rural roadways, multi-lane highways, and on community streets. Tailgating accidents occur when the front end of one vehicle collides with the rear end of the vehicle driving directly in front of it—a rear-end collision. Most tailgating accidents in Washington result from the following negligent driving behaviors or mechanical failures:
- Following too closely (driving experts recommend allowing one car length of following distance for every ten miles per hour of speed)
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Improper lane changes
- Abrupt stops, such as for animals or obstacles in the roadway
- Tailight or brake light failures on the front vehicle
- Brake failures in the rear vehicle
- Aggressive driving
- Brake-checking (intentionally tapping the brakes in front of another car)
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
Motorists in both vehicles may experience injuries in a tailgating accident, but the occupants of the front vehicle typically suffer the most severe injuries because they often do not see the collision coming and aren’t able to brace themselves for impact.
What Types of Injuries Occur In Washington Tailgating Accidents?
The severity of injuries in a rear-end collision in Washington depends on the speed of the rear driver and whether or not the impact forces the front vehicle into an intersection where it might sustain a secondary collision. Common injuries in tailgating accident claims in Washington include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries (rear-impact collisions are the number one cause of whiplash injuries)
- Back injuries
- Head or facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries to shoulders (often caused by the seatbelt during the impact of rear-end collision)
- Soft-tissue injuries to wrists, knees, and ankles
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
While seatbelts and airbags prevent death, they cannot prevent all car accident injuries, including those in tailgating accidents.
Understanding Crash Force In Tailgating Accidents In Washington
Insurance companies routinely dispute injury claims in Washinton tailgating accidents based on the minimal damage to an injury victim’s car. Unfortunately, this conveys a misunderstanding about the power of crash force in a rear-end collision. According to crash force calculations, a 130-pound person in the front vehicle becomes an astonishing 4,550-pound force propelled forward and then snapped back against the seat during a rear-end collision at only 35 miles per hour. This places tremendous stress on the body, particularly the spinal column as the body’s support structure.
It takes a skilled personal injury attorney in Arlington with access to the best medical experts to make a compelling claim for injury damages in a Washington tailgating accident claim. Common damages recovered in successful claims include:
- Property damage to a vehicle
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for any other non-economic damages that might apply to your case such as compensation for catastrophic injuries like disfigurement, organ loss, the loss of a limb, loss of vision or hearing, or diminished quality of life
If a loved one died in a tailgating accident, a Washington wrongful death claim could recover compensation for a close family member.
Call the Washington Tailgating Accident Attorneys at Wells Trumbull
When serious injuries cause significant physical and financial damages, it’s too important to take on a challenging legal process alone. Instead, contact Wells Trumbull so we can put our firm’s experience, know-how, and results behind your claim.