In less than a second, a rear-end accident can cause severe property damage and devastating injuries. Several factors can contribute to these crashes, but driver error almost always plays a role.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, distracted driving causes 16 percent of all fatal accidents – and many of these are rear-end collisions. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid these wrecks by:
- Keeping your vision ahead;
- Avoiding distractions;
- Increasing your following distance;
- Braking gradually;
- And checking your mirrors before you stop.
If you were rear-ended by a negligent driver, contact the Truman Law Firm P.C. Ronald W. Truman is a personal-injury lawyer in Utah who can help you pursue the maximum compensation for lost income, health-care bills and other damages.
Mr. Truman has the highest legal rating offered by Martindale-Hubbell. Call 435-986-2222 to schedule a consultation.
In the meantime, read on to learn five tips that can help you avoid rear-end collisions:
- Look Ahead
If the car in front of you stops suddenly, it is important that you have sufficient time to brake safely. For this reason, you should keep your vision ahead at all times. You may be able to avoid hitting the leading vehicle by coming to an abrupt stop, but the car behind you might not react in time.
- Avoid Distractions
Distractions are the main contributors to rear-end crashes. Common examples include:
- Drinking and eating;
- Rowdy passengers;
- Texting or using your cell phone;
- Gawking at events outside the vehicle;
- And reaching for an object in the vehicle.
Before putting your keys in the ignition, switch your cell phone off, or place it in the glove compartment. Do not carry passengers if you are a new driver, and never eat or drink behind the wheel.
- Increase Your Following Distance
As a rule of thumb, always maintain three seconds of distance between your car and the leading vehicle. In poor weather, double this distance to six seconds.
- Brake Gradually
If you stop abruptly, the driver behind you may not notice in time to hit the brakes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, antilock braking systems can reduce the dangers of sudden braking. Even if you have ABS, try to slow down well before you reach an intersection or stop sign.
- Check Your Mirrors before You Stop
Sometimes there is little that you can do to avoid a rear-end accident. After all, you cannot control the actions of the driver behind you. However, you may be able to take evasive action if you notice that the other motorist is not paying attention.
Check your mirrors before you come to a stop. If the driver behind you is looking down or not paying attention, find an escape route such as the shoulder or an adjacent lane.
If you were rear-ended by a negligent driver, contact the Truman Law Firm P.C. Ronald W. Truman is an accident attorney in Utah who can help you navigate an unpredictable claims process. He graduated top 10 percent of his class from Brigham Young University. Call 435-986-2222 to schedule a consultation.
