According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end car accidents are the most common on America's roads - with 1.5 million reported each year. The impact of these accidents can range from a little fender bender to a car getting totaled, depending on the severity of the crash.
Rear-end accidents can also cause a range of injuries to motorists. On the most serious end of the spectrum, statistics show that 2,000 people around the country are killed in rear-end accidents each year. When rear-end accidents are less severe, common injuries that victim's suffer from include concussions, soft tissue injuries, pinched nerves in the neck or back, spinal cord injuries and partial or complete paralysis.
How to Avoid Rear-End Accidents
In order to avoid being hit in a rear-end accident, you should:
- Pay attention to what's behind you and be sure to adjust your rear-view mirrors so that you can see what's going on around you
- Always signal when you're about to change lanes
- Keep up with the flow of traffic, as long as weather conditions and road conditions allow
- When someone is tailgating you, change lanes to get away from them as soon as possible
- Try to avoid another driver's blind spots
Of course, a rear-end accident is a two-way street. The following tips are to help you avoid rear-ending another driver:
- Always brake early
- Don't follow the car in front of you too closely
- In bad weather, increase the amount of distance between your car and the car in front of you
- Pay attention to when the driver in front of you uses the brake lights
- Pay close attention to the flow of traffic
Even when following safety recommendations, car collisions will occur. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Speak to a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
