Tailgating Accidents

A tailgating car accident is a rear-end collision that can leave victims with serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Drivers have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle with due care, which includes keeping a safe distance from the car in front of them. Failure to do so can result in a serious rear-end collision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports an average of 2,000 fatalities and another 950,000 injuries directly related to tailgating car accidents each year, making them responsible for one-third of all car accidents. Drivers that choose to drive too closely to the vehicle in front of them risk not being able to stop, swerve, or react to sudden changes in speed or road conditions.

There are many types of serious and catastrophic injuries that occur from a tailgating car accident, which include:

• Whiplash

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Spinal injuries

• Neck joint damage

• Tendon, ligament, and muscle damage

• Lower back injuries

• Hip and lower leg injuries

• Shoulder, arm, and wrist injuries

• Bone fractures

• Severe cuts and lacerations

• Burn injuries

Drivers that are responsible for a car accident resulting from tailgating can be held liable for injuries and damages.

Off-Road Tailgating Accidents

Tailgating accidents also occur off-road, typically when vehicles gather at social events early so that they can celebrate before an event. Tailgating accidents of this nature commonly occur at major sports complexes, concert venues, colleges and universities, and fraternity and sorority gatherings. Injuries and damages that occur due to recklessness and neglect can turn a fun event into a tragic one. Liability for off-road tailgating accidents falls on the individuals responsible for injuries and property damage, but can also fall on the property owners where the tailgating accident took place, which can include:

• Stadium, concert venue, and parking lot owners: Premises liability laws and laws pertaining to neglect to provide sufficient security at an event can leave stadium, concert venue, and parking lot owners liable for injuries sustained on their property.

• Colleges and Universities: Schools are usually held liable for injuries resulting from tailgating incidents and accidents. Underage drinking and failure to enforce safety policies can leave colleges and universities negligent and liable for damages.

• Fraternities and Sororities: These organizations are often held liable for injuries that occur due to underage drinking and failure to adhere to safety policies. Recent news headlines have highlighted several serious tragedies resulting from Greek organization events of this nature.

• Individuals: Negligence, assault and battery, and reckless behavior can make individual tailgaters liable for injuries and damages that occur from a tailgating event where alcohol and underage drinking were involved.

Highland Park Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help Victims of Tailgating Accidents Claim Compensation

If you were injured in a tailgating car accident, call the Highland Park car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr at 732-537-8570, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.