Following too Closely

Tailgating Accidents

Following too closely behind other vehicles is a common cause of trucking accidents. The driver of a truck that is too close to the vehicle in front has less time to stop or take evasive action. He or she is more likely to need to brake quickly, possibly causing a jackknife if the trailer is light or empty. Tailgating can lead to rear end collisions, with horrible consequences for the vehicle in front.

At our Carmel, Indiana, law firm, our legal team has the benefit of having a seasoned trucking company executive on staff. Chuck Stratis, once a risk manager for a large trucking business, now uses his knowledge and experience to help victims of truck accidents. Chuck knows that truckers are trained to allow a sufficient safety cushion but often fail to do so because of fatigue, impatience, or poor training.

A law firm with the ability to determine whether a trucking accident was caused by tailgating.

If you have been injured in a semi truck accident, contact an attorney at Wagner Reese & Crossen. Call 800-792-0332 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Truckers have an incentive to speed and follow too closely

Because truck drivers are usually paid by the mile, they have an incentive to get to their destination quickly, unload, and get back on the highway with another load. This can lead to speeding, violations of the hours of service regulations and resulting fatigue and tailgating. When you combine tailgating with other factors such as bad weather, tire blowouts, emergencies and road rage, it is surprising there are not more accidents.

Using experts to determine the cause of your truck accident

If you are injured in a truck accident, it is important to work with attorneys who have the knowledge and experience to determine the root cause of the crash. At our Indiana law firm, we send a seasoned truck accident investigator to the scene to take photos and video and conduct an exhaustive search for any witnesses to the accident and the minutes leading up to it. Our own in-house truck expert, Chuck Stratis, knows how trucking companies will try to alter evidence that might suggest that the truck driver was at fault in the collision. He is able to counter their efforts by investigating thoroughly and using his inside knowledge of how the industry operates.

Violation of the four-second rule is a common cause of truck crashes

Tractor-trailers are supposed to follow the four-second rule and remain at least four seconds behind the vehicle in front of them, allowing sufficient time to stop or take evasive action. By measuring skid marks and estimating the speed at impact, it is possible to determine whether the driver was less than four seconds behind the vehicle in front.

If you have suffered serious injuries in a trucking accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, contact attorneys who know what to do. Call the Carmel, Indiana, lawyers at Wagner Reese & Crossen. Schedule a free initial consultation to learn how we can help.

An Indiana law firm with a national trucking accident practice