Rear-end crashes are a relatively common traffic hazard. Even safe drivers in well-equipped vehicles are at risk of injury if another driver fails to monitor their surroundings and hits them from behind. Rear-end crashes have a strong association with whiplash and other soft tissue injuries. They can also cause spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and broken bones.
Drivers who are aware of the top causes of rear-end crashes, including the three issues below, can strengthen their position if they need to take legal action against another driver for causing a wreck.
1. Distracted driving
Rear-end crashes are frequently the consequence of drivers focusing on their phones or other sources of distraction, such as a meal, instead of on the road ahead.
2. Inadequate following distance
Many rear-end crashes occur specifically because drivers don’t leave enough space between their vehicles and others in traffic. Motorists generally need to maintain at least a three-second following distance and may need to increase that space when they operate particularly large vehicles or when the roads are wet.
3. Aggressive driving
In some cases, the driver of the front vehicle might actually be at fault for a rear-end crash. In cases where motorists cut others off in traffic, possibly by turning or merging without leaving enough space, they can create scenarios in which rear-end collisions are all but unavoidable.
Especially in cases where injuries have led to lost wages, those involved in rear-end car crashes may need help holding another party accountable. Reviewing collision circumstances can help those involved in wrecks understand their rights and limit the long-term economic consequences of a collision.