Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of car wrecks that lead to personal injury claims, and in many cases they are preventable, either by improved driver behavior or by front-crash prevention safety systems.
In fact, there are an estimated 1.7 million rear-end crashes in the U.S. each year, with 1,700 fatalities and 500,000 injuries.
But the frequency of rear-ended crashes does bring up the question of why they are so common, and what drivers can learn from these causes to help modify their behavior on the road.
Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents In Personal Injury Claims
There are multiple causes of rear-end accidents, but the most common include:
- Following Too Closely – when vehicle A follows too closely behind vehicle B, the driver of vehicle A has very little space in which to brake to prevent a rear-end collision. That’s why drivers should keep one car-length between their vehicles and vehicles in front of them to allow enough space to brake safely.
- Speeding – in some instances, a vehicle that is not following too closely can still be traveling at such a high rate of speed that it slams into the rear of the vehicle in front if something unexpected occurs on the road. Speeding deprives drivers of their ability to control their vehicles and to bring them to a safe stop.
- Driver Distraction – distracted driving has become a huge safety issue for both drivers of passenger vehicles and commercial truck drivers. Distraction includes behavior such as texting-while-driving, talking on a mobile phone (including with a hands-free device), chatting with a passenger, eating, applying makeup and listening to loud music. When drivers are distracted for even a moment, their eyes leave the road, and they lose the reaction time necessary to apply the brakes in enough time to avoid hitting the car in front of them.
Each of these common causes are correctable if drivers decide to modify their behavior to minimize the risk of a rear-end accident.
In addition, crash prevention systems now feature sensors that trigger automatic braking when your vehicle is about to hit the car directly in front of it.
Recovery From a Car Accident
Rear-end car accidents can alter your life and force you to change everything – from the car you drive to the work that you are able to perform. That’s why you must hire an experienced personal injury law firm to help you obtain rightful compensation. The law firm of David K. Wilson & Associates has a proven track record of settlements in these types of cases, and our job is to ensure that you focus on recovering your life, while we focus on recovering damages for medical bills and pain and suffering.