By Seth Anderson on June 9, 2025
Following too closely in Texas is illegal, but it is also a dangerous and significant crash risk. If you drive, you have probably experienced this behavior from others sharing the road. It is an aggressive type of driving that is meant to intimidate and push other drivers to go faster or get out of the way.
The problem with driving too close to other vehicles is that it puts both drivers and their occupants in harm’s way. If a crash results, the tailgating driver can be held liable for the damages.
Injured in a crash caused by a tailgating driver? Our Fort Worth auto collision attorneys have extensive experience handling injury claims, and we are prepared to help. Call to discuss your situation and learn if you may have legal options for seeking compensation.
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Driving too close behind a large truck puts you at serious risk by blocking your view of the road, shortening your window to react, and placing your vehicle in areas where the truck driver may not see you. If the truck brakes suddenly or changes direction, you may not have the necessary space or time to avoid a dangerous collision, especially when caught in one of its blind spots.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, because of their greater weight and size, large trucks and buses can cause much more severe consequences in a tailgating crash compared to accidents between passenger vehicles.
When following a large truck, you should increase your following distance because trucks operate under very different conditions than smaller vehicles. Driving near them requires extra caution.
When you trail a truck too closely, your view of the road ahead disappears. Sudden traffic stops, roadwork, or debris can catch you off guard. Without enough visibility, reacting in time becomes much harder, especially during rain or fog.
Tailgating leaves you almost no time to react to a truck’s sudden movements. Whether it’s a quick lane change or an emergency stop, a tight following distance makes it far more likely that you’ll rear-end the truck or lose control trying to avoid it.
Large trucks have massive blind spots on all four sides, creating dangerous gaps where your car is invisible to the driver. Tailgating leaves drivers with almost no time to react to a truck’s sudden movements, greatly increasing the risk of rear-end collisions or loss of control. Staying back lets you stay visible and safe.
Truck blind spots are much larger than those on regular vehicles, often covering entire lanes. If you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the driver likely can’t see you, making lane changes especially dangerous.
Shorter distances mean a much higher risk of a rear-end crash or hitting obstacles a truck may try to avoid. Trucks need extra room to stop or swerve, and when that space disappears, your vehicle could slam into the trailer or collide with debris or other vehicles.
Rear-end collisions with large trucks are especially dangerous because of the truck’s elevated frame. Smaller vehicles can underride a trailer in a crash, leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Trucks require extra space to turn, switch lanes, and navigate tight areas. When cars follow too closely, truck drivers lose the flexibility they need to steer clear of dangers, making everyone on the road less safe.
Turning a semi-truck requires wide swings or multiple lanes. Vehicles following too closely make safe turns harder, raising the risk of crashes at intersections and ramps.
Trucks can lift debris and disrupt the air around them, making it harder to maintain control of your car when driving too close. Shifting air and flying debris can easily unsettle smaller vehicles, especially at highway speeds.
Texas Transportation Code Section 545.062 defines safe following distances for drivers in the Lone Star State. Specifically, drivers should not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, given the speed and traffic conditions. Additionally, the code specifies that a driver should have enough distance to stop or maneuver to avoid a collision in an emergency.
Drivers who fail to adhere to a safe following distance are violating the law.
While the law does not provide an exact distance in feet or seconds, it does emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe following distance based on the circumstances. Drivers who took behind-the-wheel training probably learned about the practice of maintaining at least a three-second following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. However, this standard only applies to normal driving conditions. Normal conditions tend to mean dry roads, clear skies, minimal traffic and good visibility.
Alternatively, there are certain conditions where drivers are expected to execute good judgment. Drivers must also consider their legal duty of care and adjust their driving speed and following distance accordingly when conditions require it, such as for:
For instance, drivers know or should know that it takes longer to stop on slick roads. You cannot slam on the brakes in wet or icy weather because it could cause you to hydroplane, skid and lose control of your vehicle.
In Texas, following too closely is considered a reckless or aggressive type of driving behavior. At a minimum, this illegal driving behavior can cause you to get pulled over and issued a citation for a traffic violation.
Drivers who tailgate other vehicles are committing a traffic violation. They are also breaching their duty of care as a driver by putting themselves and others at risk of being injured in a crash.
If a driver follows you too closely and that negligent behavior results in a crash, he or she can be held liable for your damages, which could include:
While a rear-ending driver is typically liable if a crash occurs, there are times when the lead driver could be to blame.
For instance, if a tailing driver was following too closely, a lead driver could be liable if he or she purposely slammed on the brakes. This practice of brake-checking is what other equally aggressive drivers may do to teach a tailgating driver a lesson.
In order to recover compensation for your damages, you must be able to prove the other driver was tailgating you. You must also be able to show that he or she failed to take proper evasive actions to avoid hitting your car.
Evidence that could help to prove your case may include:
Working with an experienced legal team can help to ensure you recover full and fair compensation for the damages the other driver caused.
At Anderson & Cummings, we have a long and successful history of helping injured victims, including those injured by negligent drivers. During that time, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients. These results include a $5.6 million settlement for a car crash victim who suffered a brain injury.
Our law firm is prepared to fully investigate the crash that caused your injuries and fight hard to recover the compensation you need.
Not sure if you have a case? Call our law offices 24/7 to request a free initial consultation. If your case has merit and we represent you, there are no upfront fees to pay. We only get paid if we win your case through a settlement or jury-awarded verdict
Experienced. Local. Lawyers. (817) 920-9000
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.
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