If you have recently been in a car accident, there is a 1 in 3 chance that you were involved in a rear-end collision.
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident, accounting for over 30% of all collisions. Surprisingly, most rear-end car accidents happen during daylight hours on straight, dry roads. What are the leading causes of rear-end collisions?
Distracted Driving
93% of rear-end car accidents are caused by a distracted driver. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. This includes:
- texting
- eating and drinking
- talking to passengers
- grooming
- reading, including maps
- adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
Following Too Closely
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, following too closely is defined as “situations in which one vehicle is following another vehicle so closely that even if the following driver is attentive to the actions of the vehicle ahead he/she could not avoid a collision in the circumstance when the driver in front brakes suddenly”.
Maintaining a proper following distance allows a driver to look ahead and to the sides and to make appropriate decisions. A driver should adjust the following distance for weather and road conditions, visibility, and traffic. You should be able to stop safely or take evasive action if the lead car in front of you stops suddenly.
Other Causes of Rear-End Crashes
A minority of rear-end crashes are caused by environmental factors such as weather conditions and road defects. If a lead vehicle is traveling with faulty brakes lights, there is an increased risk of a rear-end accident that the lead vehicle may be held liable for.
St. Louis Auto Accident Attorney
If you have been in a rear-end car crash, there may be minimal damage done to your car. On the other hand, rear-end car accident injuries can take a long time to fully develop. Seek medical attention immediately. Next, speak with a St. Louis auto accident attorney from The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We have experience negotiating with the insurance companies to get our clients the full recovery they deserve. Call us for a free consultation at (314) 361-4242.