A rear-end accident is very frightening because you tend to have very few options to avoid the crash. If you are in a car that is fully stopped or moving slowly in heavy traffic, you may see in your mirrors that someone is approaching you too quickly, but you can’t avoid it.
What causes these accidents? There are a lot of factors to consider, so let’s look at a few of the top ones.
Following too closely
Tailgating, often referred to as following too closely, can easily lead to rear-end accidents because it reduces the reaction time that the rear driver has in an emergency. Even if that driver sees that traffic is stopping and tries to hit the brakes, the sheer physics of the situation may mean that they don’t have enough distance in which to stop.
Breaking the speed limit
Speeding also leads to rear-end accidents because it also increases reaction times. There’s a reason that more than a quarter of all fatal accidents tend to have speeding as at least a partial factor. Most drivers have broken the speed limit at some point, but that doesn’t change the risk.
Distracted driving
Another clear reason for rear-end accidents is distraction. If the rear driver is looking down at their phone or talking to a passenger, they may simply not notice that traffic ahead of them has stopped until it’s too late. It’s very important for drivers always to pay attention to the road.
If you get injured in a rear-end accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be facing high medical bills and many other costs. Be sure you know about all of your rights to seek compensation.