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I'm not a lawyer but I would guess the vehicle that hit the Maverick is at fault for unsafe following distance..... that was WAY too close. Even if your reaction time was PERFECT and Instant... there was just not the physical distance to slow down driving that close.
You need a safe following distance for anything, granny confuses the go & stop pedal, trash in the road, deer makes you need to touch the brakes, vehicle in front of the Maverick slowing down, etc.
Around here were I drive... I am lucky to mostly drive at times no one else is on the road, because EVERYONE here drives +60MPH bumper to bumper. 1 other person on the road, they'll be 2ft behind you.
You need a safe following distance for anything, granny confuses the go & stop pedal, trash in the road, deer makes you need to touch the brakes, vehicle in front of the Maverick slowing down, etc.
Around here were I drive... I am lucky to mostly drive at times no one else is on the road, because EVERYONE here drives +60MPH bumper to bumper. 1 other person on the road, they'll be 2ft behind you.
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I still don't think its worth brake checking just to get your truck totalled, but you're right he was following too close.
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Typically brake checking, and tailgating are both frowned upon by insurance companies and driving rules, but I suppose different areas have different rules. My guess neither party end up with 100% fault, but that's a long shot.
Years ago I once had a jerk tailgating me at 70mph in Atlanta with space available in BOTH lanes to either side. IF it had been crowded... well... might have been different. But it wasn't. Felt like he left less than a 1/2 second between us with no good reason. I'm in a sedan and him some fancy sports car. Since he was following close enough that I was scared for both our safety I kindly moved to the right. Jerk follows. No idea why. Finally decided to send a message. Take a look in rear view mirror; nobody behind him for a good 500 yds or so. Perfect. With accelerator still depressed, LIGHTLY tap brakes for a split second - just enough to brighten those red shiny bits at the back. Et voila! Instant safe distance! Didn't even notice a loss of speed. I did notice a few hand gestures moments later as he passed (safely) to my left. Really hated to abuse brakes like that but will choose my safety over a set of brakes 10 / 10 times.
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He was probably following too close, but that doesn't mean the car in front has some God given right to brake hard for no legitimate reason with the intent to scare the tailgater or cause a wreck (if that's what happened here). Two wrongs don't make a right, as they say.
It was a dangerous and reckless move by the Maverick. Tailgating could just be someone not paying attention/thinking. Brake checking is a deliberate act. Both parties bear responsibility here
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Indiana loves pulling out of state motorists over for following too closely. The state troopers will justify 1 car length for every 10 mph as for why they pulled you over to harass you.
" (b) A person who drives a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of both vehicles, the time interval between vehicles, and the condition of the highway. "
But if they see those out of state plates - ooooooh boy you're gonna get pulled over and they're going to say - you were going 70 mph, and there should be 7 car lengths between you, at least!" (as they follow you for a half mile and you can't even see their headlights).
This has happened at least a half dozen times to me. Never a ticket because they didn't find drugs, or a warrant, or whatever they were trying to get me on.
" (b) A person who drives a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of both vehicles, the time interval between vehicles, and the condition of the highway. "
But if they see those out of state plates - ooooooh boy you're gonna get pulled over and they're going to say - you were going 70 mph, and there should be 7 car lengths between you, at least!" (as they follow you for a half mile and you can't even see their headlights).
This has happened at least a half dozen times to me. Never a ticket because they didn't find drugs, or a warrant, or whatever they were trying to get me on.
Brake checking just as if not more illegal than following too closely. Either way someone lost their maverick. The other vehicle will be fixed.
Benefit of the doubt... Maybe she was in L mode & doesn't fully know the new vehicle.
Just more reason for safe following distance.
Just more reason for safe following distance.
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Dumb ass in the Maverick this time, that was done deliberately, granted the guy was following too close, but reckless driving or endangering safety is not the proper way to handle the situation, I will be guessing the Mavericks insurance co will be paying for most of it & one replacement Maverick. The proper way to handle a tailgater is to just keep tapping your cruise control down 1 mph at a time, they will change lanes & give you the one finger salute, but no damage or court case.
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Good to know.
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1. When I began driving eons ago, automatic fault for striking vehicle in front (failure to maintain safe distance).
2. Regardless of how quickly you can react, at age 50 your reaction time will be slower than when you were 25.
3. Why would any sensible driver put his/her life and well-being (and passengers) in the hands of the total stranger in front of them by following too closely?
2. Regardless of how quickly you can react, at age 50 your reaction time will be slower than when you were 25.
3. Why would any sensible driver put his/her life and well-being (and passengers) in the hands of the total stranger in front of them by following too closely?
It irritates me that many drivers don't keep their distance, I usually when I'm driving I think that at any moment someone can hit me and I'm extra careful, this has helped me to avoid a lot of accident situations.
Brake checking is a light tap to get the person behind to back off. That video is slamming on the brakes. Wasn't really a brake check IMO.
In most states a rear end collision is the fault of the following vehicle. If you can demonstrate an extenuating circumstance MAYBE. That video is not extenuating circumstances. Vehicle behind was too close, case closed. If the Maverick driver was dumb enough to say they were trying to cause an accident then maybe there's dual fault. But they just have to say any justifiable reason they braked (I though I saw something is enough or even just leg cramp).
Now the Maverick did a dumb thing. I am not condoning it. You should strive to avoid accidents with defensive driving, and slamming on the brakes on the interstate for no reason is the opposite. But legally in most places they won't be at fault.
In most states a rear end collision is the fault of the following vehicle. If you can demonstrate an extenuating circumstance MAYBE. That video is not extenuating circumstances. Vehicle behind was too close, case closed. If the Maverick driver was dumb enough to say they were trying to cause an accident then maybe there's dual fault. But they just have to say any justifiable reason they braked (I though I saw something is enough or even just leg cramp).
Now the Maverick did a dumb thing. I am not condoning it. You should strive to avoid accidents with defensive driving, and slamming on the brakes on the interstate for no reason is the opposite. But legally in most places they won't be at fault.
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