Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Colorado Springs
Every year, more than 1.7 million rear-end accidents occur on American highways. These regular collisions may cause significant injuries and long-term difficulties for drivers and passengers, particularly when they occur at high speeds. Understanding how rear-end accidents happen and taking actions to avoid them may make the road safer for many drivers.
WHAT ARE REAR-END COLLISIONS AND HOW DO YOU AVOID THEM?
When one car crashes into the one in front of it, it is typically because the rear car failed to stop in time. These typical collisions often result in catastrophic injuries to car passengers, such as:
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury, including whiplash Broken bones.
Amputations Sprains and strains Crushing damage
Accidents at the rear end might happen for several reasons. One driver may get preoccupied, leading him to miss the fact that the car in front of him has stopped in time for him to come to a safe stop.
FAULTY BRAKES ARE ANOTHER CAUSE OF REAR-END CRASHES.
Even if the driver tries to stop in plenty of time, defective brakes may force a car to smash into the car in front of them.
SPEEDING. Excessive speed may make it difficult for drivers to stop in time, particularly if the motorist in front of them slams on the brakes or abruptly switches lanes.
PAYING OVERLY CAREFUL ATTENTION. Following too closely, like speeding, may make it difficult for the rear driver to react in time if the front driver needs to brake suddenly.
DRIVING WHEN EXCESSIVE DROWSY weariness may increase driving distraction, making it more difficult for drivers to stop in time.
RAGE ON THE ROAD.As a consequence of road rage, the rear motorist may bump or even ram into the car in front of him. Drivers who are angry behind the wheel are more likely to act in unsafe and unexpected ways, including increasing their chance of causing an accident.
IS IT ALWAYS THE REAR DRIVER WHO IS AT FAULT IN A REAR- END COLLISION?
The back driver is usually the one who causes rear-end accidents. However, in other situations, the motorist may not be held responsible for the collision. If you were injured in a rear-end accident, you should speak with a lawyer to establish who is responsible for your injuries.
The car manufacturer or a technician who has recently worked on specific areas may be held liable in the case of a technical breakdown. For example, if your brakes fail in a new car, the car manufacturer may be held liable for the accident.
A multitude of variables might lead the collision to be caused by the front driver. In rare situations, the collision may be caused by the motorist in front of you. While slamming on the brakes in response to a danger or other obstacle does not always make the front driver liable for the collision, other considerations may. Consider the following:
The front car may not have brake lights, making it hard for the rear motorist to see that they have come to a halt. Depending on the circumstances, a motorist who fails to use both stoplights may have some or complete responsibility for the collision.
The front car may collide with the behind car. The majority of rear-end accidents happen when the rear car collides with the front car. However, the front car may try to reverse in certain instances, like to make more space at a red light or stop sign. On a steep incline, the front car may potentially roll back more than expected.
The front driver may quickly change lanes and slam on the brakes, leaving the rear driver with little time to react.
Extenuating factors may have a big influence on the liability balance in a rear-end accident case. If you were injured in a rear-end collision, you should speak with a car accident lawyer to learn more about the details of your accident and how they may affect your claim.
REDUCING THE CHANCES OF A REAR-END COLLISION
You may believe that as the front driver, there is nothing you can do to reduce your risk of a rear-end accident. However, you may make crucial efforts to reduce the likelihood of accidents, particularly rear-end crashes, at any moment while driving.
Never drive while distracted. Driving while on the phone, eating, or being too engrossed in a discussion inside the car may all raise your chance of an accident. Even if the car in front of you slams on the brakes suddenly, you’ll need plenty of time to stop. It is simpler to react effectively if you pay attention to the road.
If you grow tired, pull over to the side of the road. Driving when tired poses nearly as big of a danger as driving while intoxicated, reducing your ability to drive your car safely.
Think about getting a collision-avoidance system. Collision avoidance systems are standard equipment on modern cars, and they may significantly reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes and other sorts of accidents. Collision avoidance technologies may reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes by up to 40%. Collision avoidance systems, which are standard on many new cars, may assist in several ways in preventing crashes. When approaching a possible traffic obstruction, these systems may automatically apply the brakes, preventing one car from colliding with another. Others may provide an alarm to the car’s driver, allowing him additional time to react to possible collision hazards. Because drivers do not have enough time to react to basic collision warning systems, auto-braking has a greater impact on accident rates than simple collision warning systems. These systems also have the benefit of significantly slowing the car down before a collision, even if the auto-braking system is unable to entirely stop the car.
GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF SPACE
If you find yourself stuck behind another car on the road, be sure to give that car enough space to move. You should allow at least two seconds between yourself and the car ahead of you. At low speeds, you may get closer to the car in front of you. However, as you accelerate, you’ll need more space to navigate securely. Backing up and allowing greater space between you and the following car may keep you and the other driver safer.
GET IN THE HABIT OF AVOIDING TRAFFIC DANGERS
Make it a habit to scan the road for possible risks and plan how to avoid them if they occur. Consider how you would react if the car in front of you slammed on its brakes. Not only will this boost your chances of reacting properly if another car makes a dangerous move, but it will also promote better driving habits, lowering your accident risk every time you go on the road.
AVOID SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Keep an eye on the cars around you, particularly those approaching from behind. If at all feasible, give enough stopping area for the other cars. When you have a large truck behind you, pay extra attention since larger cars may need more space to slow down or stop than a regular passenger car. When approaching crossroads, toll booths, or other locations with slower traffic, make it a practice to progressively slow down. Slowing down reduces the likelihood of someone slamming into you from behind, as well as the possibility of hitting someone else.
MAKE SURE YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE WORKING. Make it a habit to
check your brake lights every time you drive. Make sure they’re in good functioning condition and don’t need to be changed regularly. Even one broken brake light might put you in danger of a rear-end accident. If you don’t have both, you’re putting yourself in greater danger of an accident.
KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS
Aggressive drivers often smash into you as a result of their excessive speeds or, in some situations, their frustration with your driving. If a car behind you becomes more hostile, get out of the path as soon as possible. To assist reduce your total accident risk, you may need to get off the road and let an aggressive motorist pass. If an aggressive motorist purposely tailgates you, slow your speed and pull over to a safe spot. Wait until the other motorist has pulled away before getting out of your car.
KEEP A CLOSE EYE OUT FOR EMERGENCY CARS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND OTHER LARGE CARS ON THE ROAD
Take the time to study the warning labels on the rear of cars, especially those that warn of an impending halt at a railroad crossing. If you know the car in front of you is about to come to a halt, you may need to slow down to allow yourself more time to react.
MAKE SURE YOUR GOODS ARE APPROPRIATELY SECURED
Shifting luggage might make it more difficult to stop your car, slowing your response time in the event of an accident. On the other hand, properly secured baggage should not move as you drive.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION?
When another car collides with yours, you may be unsure how to react in the aftermath. To safeguard yourself in the aftermath of an accident, follow these simple procedures.
Stay at the accident site as long as possible. Whether you collided with the other car from behind or they collided with you, do not just leave the site of the accident, especially if the other car seems to be uninjured. Even in the case of a low-speed accident, you must communicate with the passengers of the other car to determine how to continue.
SHARE YOUR INSURANCE DETAILS
Using your phone, take a photo of the other driver’s license and insurance cards. If you need it later, these photographs will make it easier to find. Even if you don’t feel the collision caused any major damage, you should exchange insurance information. If difficulties arise later, you may need to contact the other driver’s insurance carrier.
SEEK MEDICAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Seek medical help as soon as possible after a rear-end accident. If you suspect you have sustained a major injury, you should call an ambulance to the accident site. In a less catastrophic collision, you may opt to go to urgent care or drive yourself to the hospital, particularly if your car has sustained no major damage. Serious injuries, such as whiplash or spinal cord injury, may not manifest themselves at the site of the event in many circumstances. You may confirm
that you did not sustain any more significant injuries than those first recorded during the accident by obtaining medical assistance. When you seek medical assistance, you’ll also be creating a record of the accident, which might come in handy if you need to file a claim later. After any sort of car accident, make sure you maintain track of all of your medical information, including medical bills, doctor evaluations, and copies of any scans or reports.
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER
You should tell your insurance provider if you are involved in an car accident, especially a rear-end collision. Your insurance provider may be able to assist you with the claims procedure and perhaps deliver cash to you sooner.
SPEAK WITH A LAWYER
You would need a lawyer on your side if you were seriously injured in a rear-end crash. An attorney can assist you in determining the cause of the accident, determining who is responsible, and determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to for your injuries. After your accident, the sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner the legal company can begin working on your behalf. This may often help you acquire more money or improve the amount of compensation you get following an accident.
Rear-end crashes may result in modest property damage as well as significant, long-term trauma. Take precautions to prevent rear-end crashes, both your own and those caused by the motorist behind you, wherever feasible. If you are unable to prevent rear-end accidents, call an attorney as soon as possible to assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.
Warrior Car Accident Lawyers
1902 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80904