Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accidents in the U.S., accounting for a whopping more than 1.7 million crashes per year. While it is true that rear-end accidents are not as deadly as other types (head-on collisions, side-impact crashes, rollovers, multi-vehicle accidents), they are still responsible for about 1,700 fatalities each year and more than 500,000 injuries, which include the following:
- Whiplash injury
- Facial injury caused by airbag explosion
- Brain injury
- Fractured bones
- Back and neck injury
- Spinal cord injury and
- Lacerations and bruising
CAUSES OF REAR-END ACCIDENTS
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REAR-END COLLISIONS
The two most widespread misconceptions about rear-end crashes are that (1) they are relatively harmless and cause little to no harm to drivers and passengers, and (2) the rear driver is always at-fault for this type of car crash.
If you look at the statistics that we have outlined in the beginning, you will realize that rear-end accidents are anything but “harmless.” As for the second misconception, let’s review the situations in which the front driver or middle driver is at fault for causing a rear-end accident:
- The middle driver braking suddenly for no apparent reason, which causes the rear driver to rear-end the middle car, which, as a result, sends the middle car to collide with the front vehicle
- The front driver making an unsafe lane change in front of the rear vehicle
- The front driver failing to check blind spots before performing an unsafe maneuver
- The front driver failing to replace or repair broken or defective brake lights
- The front driver failing to properly inspect and maintain his or her vehicle and
- The front driver slamming on the brakes or intentionally stopping while experiencing road rage
As you can see, the rear driver is not at fault for rear-end accidents 100 percent of the time, which is why it may be a good idea to speak to an experienced rear-end collision attorney in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Pennsylvania to determine fault in your particular case.
In some cases, a lawyer may retain accident reconstruction experts in order to determine fault as objectively and accurately as possible. If you have been in a rear-end crash, do not forget to take photographs at the scene of the accident, focusing on the skid marks and vehicle damage. Contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman for a free case evaluation. Call our offices at (412) 391-7610 today.
