Have you been injured in a rear-end collision in Virginia or West Virginia? Call The Thomson Law Firm for a FREE consultation. We will remain OPEN and ready to answer your questions about your potential injury case. CALL or TEXT (540) 777-4900 today.
Following too closely is an unsafe driving behavior that can have many unfortunate consequences. In Virginia, following too closely is against the law and punishable by a fine of $30- $500. Five hundred dollar fines can be issued when the offense occurs in a Highway Safety Corridor.
Fines are a pain in the neck, especially when a accompanied by court costs, lost wages, lawyer fees, and insurance premium increases.
Unfortunately fines aren’t the only consequence of this unsafe driving behavior. Following too closely will likely result in a rear-end car accident and can cause serious injury to you, your passengers and the occupants of the other vehicle or vehicles involved in the collision.
Injuries like concussion, whiplash, spinal cord injury, permanent disfigurement and disability, broken bones, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and wrongful death are all unintended consequences of following too closely. These injuries can change lives overnight. Many result in the loss of a job or lost wages. Some result in permanent disability. And some of these result in the need for on-going, expensive medical care that can last for several years.
Having seen the injuries caused by rear-end collisions first-hand, I am always baffled when I see drivers that engage in this dangerous driving practice. Driving too closely is often associated with road-rage and can be especially dangerous when this occurs. Someone who is experiencing road rage is not thinking clearly and does not realize the danger they have put themselves in until it is too late.
Other drivers who are following too closely are often distracted by their phones, other people in the vehicle or even their own thoughts. Again, drivers that are distracted are not thinking abut driving and has no idea of the dangerous situation they are causing.
The best solution to avoid a dangerous rear-end collision is to follow the vehicle or trailer in front of you with at least 2 car lengths in between in normal conditions and to adjust speed for weather and traffic conditions.
At The Thomson Law Firm we are continuing to work for our clients during the Covid-19 crisis. We are happy to meet with clients over the phone or through Zoom and are currently taking new cases. We offer FREE consultations and will work to answer your questions about your potential personal injury case. If you were injured in a car accident in Virginia or West Virginia, call or text today for your FREE consultation (540) 777-4900.
