Kenny Habetz Injury Law | June 28, 2023 | Car Accident
Rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries, including whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and more. These are some of the most common accidents, and each year, thousands of people are injured in rear-end crashes. But what causes these accidents, and can they be prevented?
The good news is that, by following a few simple safety practices, you can prevent a lot of rear-end collisions. Read on to discover some of the most common causes of these crashes and who’s to blame when they happen.
Distracted Driving
One of the most common causes of rear-end collisions is distracted driving. As you might imagine, if you’re not paying close enough attention to the road, you may not see a stopped vehicle in time to stop yourself. This can cause you to run into the back of someone, especially if you’re driving on higher-speed roadways.
Cell phones are one of the biggest sources of distractions on today’s roads. But loud music, other people in the car, or even internal stress can also serve as distractions. It’s important to minimize distractions as much as possible, especially when you’re a newer driver or when you’re driving in heavier traffic.
Speeding
It will come as no surprise that speeding is one of the biggest causes behind rear-end collisions. The faster you’re going, the longer it will take you to get your vehicle stopped.
If you’re driving your car at 35 miles per hour, it will take you a total of 136 feet to get your car stopped. At 45 miles per hour, that number goes up to 196 feet, and at 60 miles per hour, it will take you 304 feet to get stopped. When you’re driving at 75 miles per hour, you’ll need a whopping 433 feet to stop – about one and a half football fields.
This is part of why it’s so important to always follow posted speed limits. Slowing down by even five miles per hour can give you precious stopping space that can help prevent an accident.
Perceptual Errors
In some cases, rear-end collisions are just the result of a perceptual error. A car may be going slower than you realize, and you can’t get stopped in time. Or you may not have as much space to stop as you think you do, especially in bad weather.
As a general rule of thumb, you want to stay two to three seconds behind any car you’re following. Watch when their rear bumper passes a stationary object, and count how many seconds pass before your front bumper passes the same object. During rainy, snowy, foggy, or dark conditions, increase that time to three or four seconds.
Who’s to Blame?
In almost every case, the rear driver is considered at fault in a rear-end collision. After all, part of your responsibility as a safe driver is to make sure you have enough room to stop if the car in front of you comes to a stop. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
If a front car brake-checks a following driver and causes an accident, that is considered the fault of the brake-checker. A rear-end collision can also be the fault of the front driver if they back into the rear driver or, in rare cases, if they stop improperly or for no reason.
Get Compensation for Your Injuries
Although rear-end collisions can be incredibly serious, the good news is that you can do a lot to prevent most of them. Always follow the posted speed limits, and avoid distractions while you’re on the road. It’s also best to leave between two and four seconds of space between you and the car in front of you at all times.
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision, a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with us today to start getting the representation you deserve.
Contact the Louisiana Car Accident Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a Louisiana car accident lawyer or contact us online. We have offices in Lafayette and Crowley, LA.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883
