Top 3 Causes of Rear-End Collisions in Dallas

 Posted on July 13, 2022 in Car Accidents

Rear-end collisions can range in severity from very mild, like a bump in a parking lot, to devastating, like when a semi-truck hits a sedan. The driver in back is nearly always responsible for the car accident, as they are generally the one who could have prevented the crash. The driver in front is usually powerless to avoid being struck from behind. Head, neck, and spinal cord injuries are somewhat common after a particularly hard rear-end impact. Wrist and arm injuries are somewhat less common, but likely to occur if the occupants of the front vehicle saw the crash coming and attempted to brace themselves. The driver in back is almost guaranteed to be found negligent outside of very particular circumstances where the front driver did something to deliberately force the collision. If you were rear-ended, an attorney may be able to help you recover compensation. 

Negligent Driving Habits That Cause Rear-End Collisions

A few particular careless habits are often behind most rear-end collisions. The driver who rear-ended you may have been: 

• Distracted - Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of rear-end accidents. All it takes is for a driver to look down at their phone for just a few seconds, maybe to read or send a quick text, and they may find themselves crashing into the car ahead of them. Cell phones are the most common distraction, but drivers can also be distracted by anything from children in the back seat to their car stereo.

• Drunk - Alcohol affects depth perception. Drunk drivers may not be able to accurately gauge when they need to begin to start slowing down in order to stop in time to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead of them. Alcohol also affects reaction time, so even if the drunk driver sees others stopping ahead, they might not be able to hit their own brakes in time to prevent a collision. 

• Ignoring repairs - Drivers have a duty to keep the vehicle they drive in a safe and reasonably well-maintained condition. If a driver knew that his brakes were starting to give out or lock up and failed to make the necessary repairs, that failure amounts to being careless about the safety of others on the road. 

If you were injured in a rear-end collision, it is very likely that the driver who harmed you was making one of the above mistakes. 

Contact a Dallas County Car Accident Lawyer

Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. is committed to helping people who have been injured by a negligent driver. Our experienced Dallas car accident attorneys understand how much a rear-end accident can affect your life and we will do everything we can to get you the compensation you need. Call 214-221-5800 for a free consultation. 

Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving