Rear-End Accidents: Causes and What to Do If You Are Injured
No one can really predict a rear-end car accident; collisions happen suddenly, and there is only so much we can do to prevent them. This is why it is so important for drivers to take special precautions before they get behind the wheel and prevent whatever damage they can, before it happens. Eliminating dangerous driving behaviors and unnecessary distractions can go a long way in creating safer roadways in the state of Texas.
What Causes Rear-End Accidents?
While many of the same driving habits and behaviors cause all kinds of accidents, there are specific actions that tend to cause rear-end accidents in particular. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that a majority of collisions are caused by following another car too closely and by speeding. These factors are often intertwined, creating a dangerous–and at times, deadly–combination where rear-end collisions are concerned. Maintaining a safe following distance, obeying speed limits, and yielding to surrounding traffic are all key to preventing rear-end collisions.
Another dangerous behavior that often leads to rear-end collisions is distracted driving. Talking and texting on cell phones or adjusting radio or GPS devices are all actions that easily steal our attention from the roadway. This is doubly treacherous when combined with speeding or following too closely behind someone’s tail. It only takes one glance at a cell phone or a few seconds of fiddling with the radio dial to hit someone from behind.
When You Are the Victim
Those responsible for causing a rear-end accident have their own worries and consequences to deal with, but those who are victims in the collision experience a whole other set of challenges the moment they are hit from behind. The assessment of injuries, damages, and the exchange of insurance information are all factors that must be addressed during the first initial moments following the crash. The Texas Department of Transportation recommends you do the following if you are a victim of a rear-end collision:
- If there is an injury or fatality involved, call the police immediately. Also call the police right away if you suspect the driver is intoxicated, discover that they have no insurance, or if they flee the scene;
- Move your vehicle away from the road to ensure you are not disrupting the flow of traffic or putting anyone else in danger;
- Exchange important information with the other drivers involved, such as addresses, phone numbers, driver’s licence numbers, and insurance information; and
- Set up flares or raise your hood if you are unable to move your vehicle.
Rear-end accidents are scary for the mere fact that you never see them coming. You do not have to face the aftermath alone, however. If you find yourself involved in a collision, speak with an experienced New Braunfels car wreck attorney for guidance. Call the Bettersworth Law Firm at 830-443-9193 today for a free consultation.
Sources:
http://www.txdot.gov/driver/laws/collisions.html
http://www.txdot.gov/driver/laws/crash-reports.html
