Avoiding a Rear-End Collision

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Drunk driving accidents, as well as those involving a gravely injured person in a dramatic way, are some of the most widely publicized types of crashes. However, the most common types of crashes in the U.S. are often benign. According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), a rear-end collision is one of the most common types of accidents, and accounts for approximately 28 percent of all motor vehicle accidents annually.

While many result in severe injuries or fatalities, the NHTSA reports that the vast majority of rear-end collisions are those in which the lead vehicle was not moving fast, and thus resulted in less injury than may otherwise have been caused.

A rear-end collision is common no matter who you are or how long you have been driving. Yet research shows that men are much more likely than women to be involved in a rear-end collision. Young drivers are also more likely to be involved in this type of crash than older, more experienced drivers.

Traffic School Online notes that statistics from the National Transportation Board show that most rear-end collisions could have been avoided with just one second of warning time—a skill that develops with driver’s age and experience.

The Traffic School Online does, however, have several tips on how to avoid a rear-end collision. The first seems obvious, but can be difficult to do, especially on a crowded highway: maintain a safe following distance. Try using the three-second rule by choosing a sign or stable object in the distance, and as soon as the car in front of you passes it, begin counting until you pass the same object. If you pass the object in less than three minutes, you are likely following too close.

Another piece of advice is to adjust your following distance according to the weather. Accounting for your surroundings and specific highway experiences will help you to avoid potentially life-threatening situations.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a rear-end collision in Chicago for which you are not to blame, you a may be eligible for compensation. Contact Salvi & Maher, LLP today.