Accidental tailgating sometimes leads to car accidents. The tailgater is not trying to be aggressive or reckless. Instead, they just do not know how to maintain a proper following distance. They believe they are driving safely.
Often, a short following distance can feel safe, especially when the flow of traffic is consistent. But as soon as anyone has to hit their brakes in an emergency, it suddenly becomes clear that there is just not enough space to stop.
As a general rule, drivers should seek to maintain a three-second following distance. It is better to count off the time than to look at the physical distance. By counting off seconds, the following distance naturally increases at a higher rate of speed.
Would a longer following distance ever be necessary?
Yes. Three seconds is a good place to start, but drivers also have to reconsider any factors that may mean an even longer following distance would be wise.
For example, weather conditions can play a significant role. If the roadway is slick or wet, longer following distances may be important.
Road construction can also be an issue. If a driver is on a stretch of road where there are frequent slowdowns due to construction zones, they may want to keep a longer following distance so that it is easier to react whenever they approach one of these areas.
Do you deserve financial compensation?
Unfortunately, some drivers will accidentally tailgate, and you could suffer serious injuries in an accident because of them. If you do, then you may deserve financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.