Following Too Close in Virginia – Newport News Sheriff is Hit From Behind

Following Too Close in Virginia is a crime. On Friday, the Sheriff of Newport News was injured in a rear-ender crash in which a driver appeared to be too close behind him.

According to Newport News police spokesman Lou Thurston, Sheriff Gabe Morgan’s SUV was rear-ended by a pickup truck at Glendale Road and Warwick Boulevard. The location is across from the Hidenwood Shopping Center.

The crash happened just after 11 a.m. Sheriff Morgan was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

WAVY.com said a man from Virginia Beach, was later issued a summons for following too close.

The offense of following too closely in Virginia is defined under § 46.2-816 of Virginia state code.

This law states:

“The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles and the traffic on, and conditions of, the highway at the time.”

There is a subjective element but if a driver crashes into the back of a car in front he or she will likely be traveling too closely.

Rear-ender accidents are among the most frequent in Virginia. If you are hit from behind, you may suffer a host of issues ranging from neck pain, spinal injuries, headaches and internal injuries.

Although rear-ender accidents may be less serious than head-on accidents, they can be very serious or even deadly.

Recently, our Newport News injury lawyers settled a case in which a young woman lost her life in Hampton Roads when she was rear-ended by a DUI driver.

If you have been rear-ended, you should seek medical treatment for your injuries. On occasions, you may not realize how seriously injured you are until hours or even days after a wreck because the onset of the symptoms may be delayed.

Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers helps people injured on the Virginia Peninsula as well as the rest of Hampton Roads. We have client meeting locations in Newport News and Hampton and can come to your home or hospital bed. Please call us for a free and confidential consultation at (757) 455-0077.