What Are the Leading Causes of Rear-End Collisions?

Georgia has several connecting interstate highways, making it prone to rear-end collisions. This accident type occurs when the vehicle at the back hits the one in front of it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes are among the most occurring types of road accidents in the US.

In addition, this accident type is responsible for any injuries, deaths, and substantial property damage yearly. The carnage caused by a rear-end crash makes it crucial for road users to know the causes. This is because knowledge is power, which enables you to take action to save your life.

In this article, our Atlanta auto accident lawyers at Bethune Law Firm discuss the leading causes of rear-end collisions. We’ll also cover the injuries sustained in this crash type and what an attorney can do for you. If you find yourself in a rear-end collision that is not your fault, contact our law office for help immediately or as soon as you can.

What Are the Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions? 

Like most traffic collisions, a rear-end accident is preventable if road users obey traffic rules and shy away from negligent behavior. Of course, being careful also prevents crashes, but accidents still happen no matter how careful you are. Unfortunately, a rear-end collision is one of those accidents that happen despite how careful a person is.

Below are reasons for this.

Tailgating

Tailgating is also known as following too closely and is a leading cause of rear-end accidents. Generally, drivers are to follow the two-second rule. It simply states that motorists should leave adequate following distance between each other, which amounts to two seconds. However, most drivers flaunt this rule, choosing instead to follow other cars’ bumper to bumper.

When this happens, the driver behind cannot avoid rear-end collisions in case of braking suddenly or losing control of the vehicle. Furthermore, even if the vehicle in the front is the one that suddenly stops, the rear driver would still share some liability. This is because had they left adequate space, they would have avoided hitting the front vehicle.

Distracted Driving 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14% of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States involve a distracted driver. Distracted driving takes three forms, namely: cognitive, visual, and manual. The first is when you mentally detach from the task at hand, that is, driving.

The second is when you take your eyes off the road to focus on something else, like reading a text. The third is when you use your hands to do tasks other than holding the steering wheel, like responding to a text. The NHTSA notes that using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Thus, it’s easy for a distracted driver to hit the vehicle in front, especially when tailgating.

Overspeeding

In Georgia, the posted speed limit for urban and interstate highways is 70 miles per hour. When a driver travels beyond the limit, they are said to be overspeeding. An overspeeding driver cannot brake in time to avoid rear-end collisions, especially when they encounter sudden slow traffic. In such an instance, the speeding driver would hit the one in front and might even set off a chain reaction crash. If the latter happens, the motorist may face multiple personal injury claims from all the affected parties.

Faulty Brakes or Other Mechanical Defects 

Faulty brakes also cause rear-end crashes. This is because the car would be unable to stop to avoid a collision. While the three causes of rear-end collisions discussed above result from a driver’s negligence, this one is not entirely the driver’s fault. A crash caused by faulty brakes would be the driver’s responsibility if they failed to maintain their vehicle properly.

The preceding entails checking the brake and other parts are in tip-top shape. However, it won’t be the driver’s fault if they already took the car for maintenance, and the repairer made an error. In such an instance, the auto repair would be liable for the accident if the driver made no other error.

Contact Our Expert Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Today!

Those involved in rear-end collisions would likely suffer back injuries, head injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue issues. There could also be property damage, leaving the victim with bills to pay. Thankfully, Georgia is a fault state meaning the fault party pays compensation to the victim.

At Bethune Law Firm, our experienced Atlanta auto accident attorneys can help you get maximum compensation for your losses. We work on a contingency basis and demand no upfront fee. Contact us today for a free case review.