Rear-end accidents are a very common type of car accident, and their associated injuries tend to be severe. Approximately more than 30% of traffic crashes involve rear-ending accidents. It occurs when the front bumper of a vehicle from behind smashes the rear bumper of the front vehicle.
Were you involved in a car accident involving being hit from behind? If so, contact a firm today and hire a car accident lawyer.
Causes of rear-end accidents
Several factors cause rear-end accidents which are mentioned below.
- Tailgating
Tailgating is the most common cause of rear-end accidents. Tailgating involves one vehicle driving too close to another, leaving an inadequate gap from the rear car to come to rest and complete a stop if the front vehicle stops abruptly.
You should always leave at least three seconds of the driving period between the front vehicle and yours. The following tasks can measure this three-second rule:
- Choose a stationary object on the roadside
- Watch the car before you and count three seconds until the rear bumper clears the object.
- When the bumper reaches the object, stop counting. If it is less than three seconds, lower your speed, increase the following distance, and check again.
The driving time of three seconds is considered the safe following distance if situations are ideal, roads are dry, and visibility is clear. If there is limited visibility, slick roads, traffic, and poor weather, you should lower the following distance to a minimum of five or six seconds between the vehicles.
- Distracted driving
We live in an environment full of distractions. There are a lot of things vying for your attention every moment. Although focusing on just one thing is hard, you should not allow distractions to influence your attention while driving a vehicle.
Distracted driving is also a common reason for rear-end accidents, as the driver does not give their full attention on the road and cannot react to stop the vehicle immediately to avoid a crash. Common distractions while driving are mentioned below:
- Reaching for an item inside the car
- Taking pictures
- Texting or posting on social media
- Speaking to passengers adjusting the music system
- Eating or drinking
- Speeding
There are specific speed limits based on numerous factors that include road type, driving speed studies, and traffic volume. Such limits are the maximum speed considered safe travel, not the minimum. But still, many people drive faster than the speed limit mentioned. Ignoring the speed limit is never an excuse for speeding.
