Rear-end collisions happen in a blink of an eye. In the United States, rear-end collisions account for 29% of all accidents and can result in serious injuries and fatalities. Thankfully, according to the National Highway & Safety Administration, most of these accidents occur when one vehicle is already stopped or when one vehicle is slow-moving. What causes the most rear-end collisions, and what can be done to prevent them? The car accident attorneys at Branch & Dhillon P.C. has an answer to this serious question.
Distracted Driving and Rear-End Collisions
Distracted driving, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, is responsible for 87% of rear-end collisions across the United States. Whether it is from a driver using his or her phone, dealing with children in the backseat, or simply zoning out, it takes only a matter of seconds for an accident to occur.
In 2018, distracted driving was responsible for claiming 2,841 lives; 1,730 of these were drivers, 605 were passengers of a vehicle involved, 400 were pedestrians, and 77 were bicyclists. While not all of these were solely from rear-end collisions, the message remains the same. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and measures should be taken to ensure that the driver’s attention is on the road.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a term that is used to describe any activity that would bring the attention of the driver away from the road. Today, this is commonly seen in drivers talking or texting on their cell phones, but it can also be caused by eating food, messing with the radio, or talking to a passenger in the vehicle.
When it comes to rear-end collisions, the most common cause of distracted driving is cell phone usage. A driver, looking down at his or her cellphone will lose about five seconds of attention that should be placed on the road. These five seconds might not mean much by itself, but if a driver was going 55mph then he or she would have traveled the length of a football field by the time they look back up at the road.
On residential roads, highways filled with traffic, or even in a parking lot, those five seconds can result in an accident. Often the distracted driver misses the signs of a car stopping, the road conditions have changed, or the flow of traffic is slowing down. This results in them being the cause of an accident that can result in injury or, in worst cases, death.
How Do I Protect Myself and My Family from Distracted Driving?
When it comes to driving, the most important thing to focus on is the road and be aware of other drivers. Even if another driver is not paying attention, your awareness can help reduce the chances of you being involved in an accident. Following these tips can help save you and your family from being responsible for a rear-end collision.
- Turn your phone off or put it on silent, when in the car to avoid being distracted by incoming texts.
- Make sure your phone is away from you, so you will not be tempted to check it while driving.
- If you need to address your children, do so at a stop and not while the vehicle is moving.
- Do not eat or drink beverages while driving. If you need to eat, eat in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant, or go into the restaurant.
- If you are feeling tired, pull over and rest. Grogginess is another part of distracted driving. Feeling tired can have you turning your attention away from the road and towards something that will wake you up. If you need to, find a safe place to stop and rest.
Been In a Rear-End Collision?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a rear-end collision due to the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated car accident attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. are here to help get you the compensation you deserve. Don’t be left with the overbearing financial burden of medical expenses and damages by yourself and contact the team that will fight for you today!