A large number of rear end collisions happens every day in the United States. Within just one year, approximately 2.5 million rear impact crashes are reported. The risk of these types of collisions has increased as drivers have become more distracted by cell phones, mp3 players, gps navigation systems and other devices. Tailgaters are usually the cause of a large portion of rear end collisions. When an area is hit with inclement weather, limited visibility and slick road conditions cause a spike in collisions from behind. These types of crashes can cause serious injuries even at slow speeds because the impact causes the driver to pitch forward towards the windshield, possibly causing whiplash, concussion, spinal injury, and more.
Protecting Your Vehicle from Being Rear Ended
There are a number of defensive steps that can help to protect your vehicle from being rear ended. Even as a great deal of the responsibility falls on the driver behind you, it can help to be a defensive driver by being attentive to activity behind you. The following tips can help to reduce your risk of a rear impact collision:
- Always view traffic in front and begin to brake well in advance of a stop. This alerts drivers in the rear that traffic is slowing or stopping and gives them time to react to the situation ahead.
- Avoid braking abruptly. If you realize that you are about to overlook your turn, it is safer to pass it, turn around, and make your turn afterward than to try to punch the brakes and run the risk of being rear ended.
- Never pull out in front of moving traffic if you believe that they could be too close to make it. Wait until you have a large break between cars to go into the traffic.
- If you’re stopped and see a car rapidly approaching you from behind, pump your brakes to flash your brake lights at the driver. This may alert them that they should stop and could prevent them from hitting you head-on.
Steps to Avoid Causing a Rear End Collision
Each and every one of us can take preventative steps to decrease our probabilities of running into another car. Incorporating these tips into your regular driving behavior may possibly thwart a costly collision later:
- Do not follow closely to other drivers. Continuously maintain a safe driving space when following another car.
- Look ahead at traffic down the road, not just at the vehicle that is right in front of you. This can help you to check if traffic is coming to a stop so that you can start to slow down. Do not rely simply on the car in front of you for direction. The driver may not be paying attention.
- Never drive distracted. Meaning keep away from operating cell phones, mp3 players, gps navigation devices, or additional likely distractions while driving. Stow them away or have a passenger run them for you
Taking a few extra moments from your day to drive safely may possibly save you from a devastating crash. If you find yourself {involved in any rear end collision brought on by another driver, consider contacting a car accident attorney without delay. The other driver might be liable for your injuries and damages and may even be the cause of accident associated compensation.
