Rear-end accidents are the leading cause of car crashes in America.  They account for nearly one third of all incidents and they’re on the rise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were more than 130,000 rear-end collisions in 2016 alone – a 5% increase from 2015 with fatalities up by 10%. With so many people at risk, it’s important to understand what causes these accidents and how you can prevent them. Here we explore seven common causes of rear-end accidents and how to prevent them!

1. Poor Visibility

This is usually caused by bad weather conditions like fog or heavy rain which make it difficult for drivers to see what’s happening ahead of them on the road. Some people have been known to drive through rain puddles too, which also causes poor visibility because drivers cannot see through these puddles due to the water getting into their headlights. In order to avoid this, you should keep your windows clean and allow time during heavy rains for your windshield wipers to completely clear your windshield so you can see what’s ahead of you. Sometimes, even though we take all the necessary precautions to try and stay safe, it’s not enough to prevent an accident from occurring. In those situations, it’s important to have proper legal options at your disposal, which is just what people at The702Firm.com do. They help those who require legal services after an accident. Do not hesitate to hire and consult professionals on these matters, as it can make a huge difference in the aftermath of the accident!

2. Speeding

When someone is speeding it becomes more difficult to slow down or stop their car in time for an emergency situation. If the person behind begins to brake quickly then there isn’t enough time for the driver who’s speeding to do the same and this causes a rear-end collision. 

3. Distractions

This happens when someone is paying attention to something other than the road in front of them so they do not notice when another car in front begins to stop or slows down. Some examples of distractions include putting on your makeup, talking on the phone, and eating while driving. To avoid this you should find a safe spot to pull over and finish your makeup or conversation before driving again.

4. Distractions Caused By Passengers

This is the same as distractions but usually happens when someone is having another person in their car who is distracting them while they drive. For example, if someone’s friend has just broken up with their boyfriend they will be more distracted than normal and unable to focus on the road which makes them more likely to cause a rear-end collision.

5. Medical Emergencies

If someone in your car is having a medical emergency, like a heart attack or seizure you will need to get help as soon as possible because it could make it difficult for you to drive safely and avoid a rear-end collision. You should pull over as soon as you can and call for help on your phone.

6. Poor Weather Conditions

If it’s raining, snowing, or foggy out then you will need to allow extra time for your car to stop and be able to see clearly which means that there isn’t enough time for the car behind you to do the same which can cause a rear-end collision. If there is bad weather on the road you should slow down and allow more time for your car to stop in case of an emergency or accident.

7. Following too closely

This is when someone isn’t giving themselves enough distance behind other cars on the road because they are following too closely to the car in front of them. This means they won’t have enough time to stop if the car in front of them suddenly brakes for an emergency making it more likely that there will be a rear-end collision. To avoid this, you should keep some extra space between your car and the one in front of you on the road to allow yourself more time to stop.

Additional Tips On Avoiding Rear-End Collisions

To avoid rear-end collisions, always have your windows clean so you can see through them. Keep your eyes on the road in front of you and not on anything else. Slow down if there’s heavy rain or fog so you have enough time to react. Give yourself some extra space behind the car in front of you so you have more time to stop if necessary. Avoid using your phone when driving, and also make sure that your car is safe to operate, your brakes are working properly, etc.

Rear-end accidents are common and can be caused by many different things. Poor visibility, speeding, distractions, medical emergencies, or poor weather conditions all have the potential to cause a rear-end collision. To avoid this you should keep your windows clean so you can see clearly during heavy rains. You should also slow down if there is bad weather on the road in order to allow more time for your car to stop. If someone in your car has a medical emergency then it’s important that you get them help as soon as possible because they could make it difficult for you to drive safely without causing an accident or crash which would lead to a fatal rear-end collision. Follow these guidelines and stay safe out there!

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