5 Main Causes of Rear-End Collisions on US Roads
Have you ever been cruising down American roads, enjoying the journey, when suddenly, a jolt from behind disrupts your adventurous drive? Frustrating, right? Typically, you faced a classic case of rear-end collisions, a common occurrence on US roads.
Understanding the causes of rear-end collisions is crucial to avoiding such accidents. Let’s dive into these causes and analyze who’s liable for damages in a rear-end accident.
Main Causes of Rear-End Collisions on US Roads
Tailgating Drivers
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) highlights tailgating as one of the leading causes of rear-end crashes. The insurance entity urges drivers to maintain a safe distance as a basic preventive measure. Contrary to the advice, many drivers find themselves tailgating or following too closely.
Drivers usually do this due to impatience and aggressive driving. As a result, they increase the chances of accidents. This can happen when the latter suddenly breaks, catching the tailgating party unaware.
Poor Weather Conditions
The weather can provide motorists with unanticipated difficulties, with rear-end incidents among the worst-case scenarios. Conditions such as rain, snow, and fog impair drivers’ visibility and affect road traction, making it difficult for drivers to react quickly.
According to studies, such weather contexts account for around 22% of all vehicle crashes. The Federal Highway Administration highlights the importance of exercising additional caution during adverse weather.
Speeding
Overspeeding is a common cause of rear-end accidents, especially on relatively busy streets. Normally, speeding makes it harder to stop in an emergency, thus amplifying the level of impact. For instance, drivers may be unaware of slow-moving traffic ahead, especially in the dark. They can end up causing a string of rear-end collisions.
According to the NHTSA, speeding was a factor in 9,478 fatal collisions in 2019. NHTSA urges drivers to adhere to speed limit laws to minimize these staggering numbers. The limits are not only a legal necessity but also an essential component of road safety.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is increasingly becoming a prime cause of accidents, including rear-end crashes. In 2019, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives. It’s fair to assume different cab drivers are among these alarming statistics. Their job description needs constant phone checks for GPS and client booking.
The use of smartphones is a major culprit, with drivers constantly getting the need to use their phones while on the roads. Other scenarios include controlling vehicle stereo and eating while driving.
Therefore, these distracted individuals cannot fully focus, especially on the activities of the vehicles in front.
Failure to Follow Basic Traffic Rules
Failure to employ basic laws, such as signaling or indicating for turns, is a surprising but important cause of rear-end collisions on the road. Front drivers are mostly the liable parties in these cases. The action might cause uncertainty amongst other drivers, resulting in sudden halts or lane changes that get following vehicles off guard.
According to a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers, insufficient or absent signaling is responsible for up to 25% of rear-end collisions.
Who is Liable for the Accident?
When it comes to rear-end crashes, the driver in the back is almost always responsible. According to the law, every car driver must give ample space between them and the car in front. Failure to do this is the reason for rear-end collisions. So the driver in the back is the liable party for rear-end accidents.
Conclusion
Rear accidents can be voluntary or involuntary. Causes such as poor weather conditions can be hard to predict. Drivers can also be involuntarily distracted if their job requires the use of phones or any other gadgets while driving.
However, the latter is avoidable, with users encouraged to employ safety measures at all times. This includes parking on the roadside if they must attend to their phones. Generally, all drivers can avoid rear-end collisions if they follow the basic road rules. This includes maintaining safe distances, employing proper signaling, and driving at proper speeds.
