Rear-end car accidents happen nearly every day. While often considered a minor accident, rear-end collisions can result in severe and lasting injuries and, at times, death. Understanding why these events occur can be a critical step toward prevention.
Several things might lead a driver to rear-end the car in front of them. However, the most common reasons for rear-end crashes below reveal that many incidents could have been avoided by practicing safe driving habits.
Not paying attention
people like multitasking in the car, whether eating breakfast, putting on makeup, or tending to a young child. However, driving is already a mentally demanding activity; mixing it in with other tasks only divides the driver’s attention.
Distracted driving accounts for almost 87% of rear-end crashes. When a motorist is preoccupied with something other than driving, they may not realize how close they are to the car in front of them and have no time to brake.
Following another driver too closely
Another factor that contributes to rear-end crashes is tailgating. Drivers tend to follow the car in front too closely when in a hurry, distracted or trying to intimidate another motorist. However, doing so leaves them with not enough reaction time should the car in front stop or slow down abruptly.
Driving too fast
Driving too fast can make it hard to avoid obstacles on the road or brake quickly, putting other motorists in danger. Alarmingly, some motorists speed without knowing it. Whether unintentional or not, speeding is a major contributing factor to car accident fatalities and highlights the need for safe driving practices.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Impaired driving can happen when a person has been drinking or taking drugs and then still chooses to get behind the wheel. Slower response times and impaired judgment due to these substances can increase the risk of rear-end crashes.
What are the implications of rear-end car accidents?
Though rear-end collisions often happen in heavy traffic where cars move slowly, the impact can still cause severe injury to the body. These accidents often cause the upper body to jerk unnaturally and may result in neck, spine, brain or back injuries. Victims may require surgery or rehabilitation, which the at-fault driver may have to shoulder.
Unfortunately, rear-end car accidents have become a common occurrence. Reviewing the potential consequences of unsafe driving habits might motivate drivers to act more responsibly.