According to a study conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), there were over 13 million motor vehicle incidents in 2021 alone, almost 42% of which were categorized as rear-end collisions. A rear-end accident, also known as “rear-ending” occurs when a vehicle crashes into the back of the vehicle in front of it. These types of accidents can cause severe injury and even death, depending on a number of factors such as vehicle speed. In this article, we will explore some of the most common causes of rear-end accidents.
Distracted Driving
The most common reason that rear-end accidents occur is distracted driving. Distracted driving describes any activity that diverts your attention from the road while driving. An alarming 3,308 people lost their lives to distracted driving in the year 2022. Distracted driving can include:
- Texting
- Fixing your radio or navigation
- Talking on the phone
- Eating or drinking
- Obnoxious and distracting passengers
- Tending to your pet
- Assisting your young child(ren)
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is another common cause of rear-end collisions. If you are driving while fatigued, your ability to make split-second decisions and react is greatly hindered. This impaired judgment makes it very likely that you may collide with the vehicle in front of you. Furthermore, if you are fatigued, you should avoid driving and pull over immediately, as the repercussions can be life-altering for you and others on the road.
Drunk Driving
Another common reason that rear-end accidents occur is drunk driving. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious legal offense and can have severe legal repercussions. Any individual who is driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher is subject to receiving a DUI, which is punishable by law. Driving under the influence is incredibly dangerous and, like driving fatigue, it greatly interferes with your ability to react and make quick judgments.
Adverse Weather Conditions
One last common cause of rear-end accidents is adverse weather conditions. Conditions such as heavy snow, thick fog, or intense rain can greatly reduce a driver’s visibility on the road. When driving in these conditions, it is paramount that you keep an increased distance between you and the car in front of you. Keeping an extra distance will provide you with ample opportunity to react in case the car in front of you loses control or slams on their brakes unexpectedly.
What To Do if You Are in a Rear-End AccidentAs you can see, rear-end accidents can be very serious and can result in a myriad of negative outcomes. If you are in a rear-end collision, the first thing you should do is seek medical assistance and call the police. Then, if you can, you will want to document the accident scene by taking pictures and videos of the aftermath. Afterwards, gather the personal contact information of any individuals involved, as well as any witnesses to the crash. Finally, you should seek legal support from a Kent car accident attorney who can help support your legal claim, gather the necessary paperwork, protect your rights, and ensure that you recover the compensation you might be entitled to. Securing legal assistance from an experienced lawyer will help ease the legal burden, allowing you to focus on your road to recovery.
