Attorneys Matthew M. Golitko and John P. Daly have helped countless people who have been injured or affected by auto accidents. Catastrophic motor vehicle accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death. When these collisions are the result of another person’s negligence or recklessness, our Indianapolis, IN lawyers can help.
The team at Golitko & Daly would like to consider the dangers and causes of rear end auto accidents. These kinds of crashes can result in serious injuries that cannot be overlooked.
Rear End Auto Accident Statistics
According to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear end car crashes accounted for roughly 33.4 percent of auto collisions in 2015. That meant 2.1 million rear end crashes total, 2,203 proved fatal. These collisions, though common, only accounted for 6.8 percent of fatalities.
Rear End Crashes from Tailgating
Tailgating is one of the primary reasons that rear end crashes occur. If you are too close to the vehicle ahead of you, the chances of striking it from behind are high. This is why it’s so crucial to leave proper amounts of room between vehicles as you are driving. The extra space means stopping time and stopping distance will not be adversely affected.
Rear End Crashes from Speeding
The NHTSA notes that speeding was the cause of 27 percent of fatal accidents in 2016. This number fits with the percentage of non-fatal accidents that are related to speeding motorists. It’s important to always abide by the posted speed limit, and to make sure you are following the flow of traffic.
Drunk Driving and Rear End Crashes
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts drivers and other motorists at risk. When drunk, your decision-making skills and reflexes are severely impaired. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 29 people die each day because of drunk driving; that’s one person every 50 minutes. Be sure to stay sober and drive safe.
Driver Distraction and Rear End Crashes
Driver distraction refers to instances in which a motorist does not have their eyes on the road and/or hands on the wheel. Cellphone use while driving is one of the most well-known kinds of distracted driving, though eating while driving, grooming behind the wheel, and rubbernecking are other forms worth noting.
The NHTSA estimates that distracted driving resulted in 3,477 fatalities and 391,000 injuries in 2015.
Problems with Brakes and Tail Lights
When your brakes don’t work right, stopping in a reasonable distance or amount of time is more difficult. Similarly, when your tail lights aren’t working properly, drivers behind you may not realize you are slowing down or stopping. Both of these make rear end crashes more likely.
Injuries Caused by Rear End Accidents
Read end accidents can cause bruises, broken bones, damage to internal organs, and lacerations. They are perhaps most commonly associated with whiplash, which is a neck injury caused by the sudden jerking of the neck. All of these injuries can require hospitalization, and could have long-lasting effects on your wellness, mobility, and ability to perform routine tasks at home as well as at work.
Speak with and Experienced Auto Accident Attorney
If you or someone that you care about has been involved in a rear end collision, be sure to contact our team of injury accident lawyers. Golitko & Daly has three office locations. You can reach our Indianapolis office at (317) 942-3118, our Bloomington office at (812) 497-4048, and our Kokomo office at (765) 626-3383.