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A driver tailgating your vehicle can lead to rear-end collisions that can damage your car and inflict life-changing injuries.
However, just because another driver was tailgating does not automatically mean that they are at fault for the crash. Every claim for compensation must prove that a driver’s negligence caused the incident. At the same time, the claim must accurately describe the extent of your losses.
A Forest City tailgating accident lawyer can help you. We can work to put your mind at ease while pursuing the compensation needed to set things right. Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC today at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation.
What You Need to Know About Tailgating Laws in North Carolina
The traffic laws in North Carolina are clear: every motorist must keep enough distance between themselves and other vehicles to come to a safe stop. North Carolina General Statute (GS) §20-152 says that tailgating is a traffic violation for which a driver may receive a citation.
However, this does not keep impatient drivers from riding the bumpers of others. In some situations, tailgating may even be the result of road rage or other forms of aggressive driving. Motorists who tailgate place themselves and other travelers at serious risk of danger.
Following too closely significantly decreases a driver’s ability to come to a stop before colliding with another vehicle. Other drivers may not be paying attention in regular traffic and may rear-end you as you stop at a red light or crosswalk. A Forest City tailgating lawyer will work to investigate the cause of your wreck and to determine whether another driver’s tailgating was the cause of the crash.
Tailgating as Proof of Fault
Every person who seeks compensation from another driver or their insurance company after an accident must prove that the other driver was at fault for the collision. Normally, this means demonstrating that the other party was negligent. This can require an evaluation of the actions of all parties and may lead to disagreements as to the share of the blame for all drivers.
The fact that tailgating is a violation of Forest City traffic law can be a great benefit to you.
For example, if a driver receives a ticket for tailgating from a responding police officer, this means that the officer is of the opinion that the accident was the driver’s fault. If that ticket results in a conviction in traffic court, either through the admission of responsibility by the defendant or after a trial, that defendant is presumed negligent in any civil action.
Even so, it is best to not wait too long for a traffic court case to conclude. There is a strict time limit that controls when you can bring a case to civil court for damages after a tailgating collision. Under GS §1-52, you may have as few as three years after the crash to file a lawsuit for compensation.
A Forest City tailgating accident lawyer could help to leverage a conviction into a claim for compensation. Even if the other driver is not found guilty, remember that just because a driver did not receive a ticket does not mean that a case could not be successful. Contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC at (828) 286-3866 to learn more.
Available Forms of Compensation After a Crash
The goal of any personal injury claim is to make you whole again. While many people think that this applies only to physical injuries, the fact is that making a comprehensive claim can help you to obtain compensation for every way in which the accident has affected your life.
Medical Bills for Injuries
Of course, physical injuries are a major portion of these losses. Tailgating accidents that result in rear-end collisions can inflict a variety of injuries that include:
- Back strains or sprains
- Injuries to the muscles or bones in the neck
- Broken shoulders or hips
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
Claims for compensation will demand reimbursement for the costs of all necessary medical care. This covers an ambulance trip, emergency room treatment, medications, physical rehabilitation, and other hospital costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Another major portion of many tailgating accident claims is payment for emotional trauma. Most physical injuries include a component of pain that will not appear on any hospital bill. Nevertheless, this pain is a compensable loss to which a Forest City tailgating accident attorney could assign a dollar value. Similarly, we can help to demand payments for mental anguish, the need for counseling, or nightmares that could affect your mental wellbeing.
Lost Wages
Finally, many people find that an accident affects their ability to earn a living. The physical injuries that follow many crashes may keep you out of work. Whether you spend time in the hospital, whether you are at home making your recovery, or whether you need to miss shifts to attend rehabilitation sessions, the negligent party can be liable for this lost income.
Property Damage
If your own insurance policy does not cover the full value of your vehicle, our legal team can work to demand that the other party’s policy cover the difference.
Reach out to Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC at (828) 286-3866 today to see how we can pursue your case for all appropriate payments.
Reach Out Today to Learn How a Forest City Tailgating Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Suffering injuries in a tailgating crash can be a confusing and frightening experience. Many people find that dealing with insurance companies and standing up for their rights is difficult when seeking medical care or trying to return to work. As a result, you may want to look for help to pursue your case.
The Forest City tailgating accident attorneys at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC are here to help. From day one, we work to explain your rights, to properly investigate the collision, and to form demand packages that ask for appropriate compensation from all liable parties. State laws provide a strict time limit on when you can seek payment. Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC at (828) 286-3866 today for your free consultation.
