Rear End Collisions

Rear End Collisions – A Common Occurrence

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rear end collisions account for nearly 1/3 of all car accidents.[1] Rear end collisions can be caused by a variety of factors including:

1. Tailgating The Florida law on tailgating simply states that cars should not follow more closely than reasonably prudent in light of the conditions.[2] This means that at higher speeds and in inclement weather the following distance should be increased.
2. Distracted Drivers Drivers who are texting, eating or otherwise distracted often are unable to stop in time to avoid rear end collisions;
3. Car Accidents Often times a car accident in the roadway will cause the following cars to stop suddenly;
4. Drunk Drivers The consumption of alcohol impairs the reflexes of the driver and in many instances leads to rear end collisions;
5. Children, Animals and Objects The sudden appearance of a child, animal or toy in the road can force drivers to stop suddenly; and
6. Weather Rain and snow can drastically alter the driving patterns and cause unpredictable starts and stops, as well as dramatically increasing stopping distances.

Who is at Fault in a Rear End Collision?

As a general rule the rear driver will be at fault in rear end collisions. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes a portion or all of the fault may lie with the lead driver. For example, if the lead car:

1. Suddenly changed lanes and slammed on the brakes;
2. Abruptly stopped without warning or reason;
3. Stopped suddenly to execute a turn, but failed to turn;
4. Suddenly put their car in reverse;
5. Had malfunctioning or no brake lights; or
6. Was operating their car in a negligent manner (swerving, talking on the phone, etc.)

In any of the above situations, the lead driver may be held partially or completely to blame for the accident. It is extremely important to begin gathering evidence in situations where liability is disputed.

Common Injuries in Rear End Collisions

Intersection accidents are generally caused by inattentive or distracted driving. In other words, simply by paying closer attention and putting down the cell phone most intersection accidents can be avoided altogether. Aggressive driving is another contributing factor at intersection accidents. The drivers attempting to make left hand turns misjudge or fail to see oncoming traffic in their attempt to rush to complete the turn. The lines of sight are sometimes compromised at an intersection. For instance, when cars are facing each other, each in their respective left hand turn lane, it becomes very difficult to see oncoming traffic. Executing a left hand turn across several lanes of traffic with your vision impeded is a recipe for disaster.

Common Injuries in an Intersection Crash

The injuries sustained by people involved in an rear end collision can be significant and commonly include the following:

1. Whiplash type injuries;
2. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries;
3. Fractured or broken bones;
4. Spinal cord damage;
5. Neck and back injuries; and
6. Lacerations and contusions which may have been caused by either the air bags or contact with the actual components of the vehicle.

Remember, the injuries suffered in rear end collisions may not always be felt immediately following the car accident. Some injuries take hours or even days to become symptomatic. Delayed onset injuries are common in car accidents.

Contact Jones Law Group

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you in the privacy of your own home.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

[1] http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/

[2] http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.0895.html