Houston car accident lawyers are very familiar with rear-end collisions. This crash type makes up nearly 41% of all crashes, which means they’re the most common form of multi-vehicle car accident.
These crashes happen when a rear vehicle slams into the back of a front vehicle. They’re also called “front-to-rear collisions” because the front of one vehicle strikes the back of another.
Myths
While fighting for injury compensation, you may run across several myths about rear-end crashes. These myths range from who’s at fault for the crash to what types of injuries can result from them. Some common myths include the following:
The Rear Driver Is Always at Fault
The fault for a car crash will fall on the driver who negligently, recklessly, or intentionally caused the crash. The basis for this myth makes sense. Negligence means someone failed to exercise reasonable care. Reasonableness is determined by comparing what the driver did to what a reasonably careful driver would have done.
The rear driver is responsible for maintaining a safe following distance. A rear-end crash implies the rear driver followed too closely to stop safely. However, the fault can lie with the front driver in some circumstances.
One example occurs when the front driver cuts off the rear driver, leaving too little room to safely stop. Alternatively, the front driver can deliberately brake check the rear driver. In both these situations, the front driver bears the fault for the crash.
There are also situations where no one’s at fault. Suppose that the road is slick from rain. Though both drivers drove carefully and maintained a safe distance from each other, the rear vehicle could still slide into the other one.
Finally, both drivers could share the fault. This might happen if the front driver cuts off the rear driver before hitting their brakes for a stop light, and the rear driver fails to stop in time partly because they were texting. In this case, a jury could assign each driver a share of the fault under Texas’s comparative negligence statute.
Whiplash Is the Only Injury From Rear-End Collisions
In a rear-end collision, the front driver gets pushed into their seat and headrest before whipping forward as their vehicle comes to a stop. The rear driver whips forward into their seat belt and falls back into their seat and headrest.
Whiplash happens when the head pulls on the neck as it whips back and forth. It’s a common injury from rear-end crashes because the direction of the vehicles causes both drivers to experience a back-and-forth whipping motion.
However, whiplash is not the only injury the vehicle occupants could experience. A concussion can also result from a rear-end crash because the brain shakes inside the skull.
Chest injuries, like bruises and broken ribs, can happen as well. You can suffer these when your chest hits the seat belt. Drivers can even suffer hand and wrist injuries when bracing themselves by pushing against the steering wheel or dashboard.
You Don’t Need a Lawyer for a Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions might seem like open-and-shut cases. But they can be deceptively complicated. The rear driver isn’t always at fault. Additionally, you can experience atypical injuries, like a knee injury from hitting the bottom of the dashboard.
A car accident attorney in Houston can analyze your situation. They’ll develop a legal strategy to deal with the unusual facts of your case.
Insurance Will Fully Cover Your Damages
Insurance companies do not make money by paying claims and will fight hard against even clear claims like rear-end collisions. Claims adjusters will deny you for any technical or substantive reason they can find. Even when they accept a claim, they will offer far less than your documented losses.
This myth is only false in some situations. When your Houston car accident lawyers negotiate aggressively with the claims adjuster, they can get an outcome that covers your economic costs, like medical expenses and lost wages, and non-economic losses, like pain and suffering.
Rear-End Collisions Only Happen in Heavy Traffic
Heavy traffic is less forgiving because you have little margin for error. But rear-end crashes can happen whenever one vehicle travels too close to another. For example, a driver following you in an empty parking lot could rear-end your vehicle when you slow for a speed bump.
FAQs
What Is the Main Cause of Most Rear-End Crashes?
Rear-end collisions can happen for many reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Inattention
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Leaving too little space when passing
- Aggressive driving
Rear-end crashes frequently occur due to a combination of factors. For example, a driver might tailgate and speed because they’re distracted.
Which Vehicle’s Occupants Suffer Worse Injuries in a Rear-End Collision?
Although both vehicles will experience the same crash energy, the occupants of the rear vehicle will often suffer worse injuries. These motorists whip forward first, potentially hurting their chest and face. The whipping motion can also injure the neck and brain.
By contrast, the occupants of the front vehicle get pushed into their seats first. The seat cushions and headrest absorb some of the energy. In turn, they often suffer less serious injuries.
Is It Worse to Be Rear-Ended While Stopped?
In many cases, being rear-ended while stopped causes more serious injuries. However, the vehicles’ speed is not the primary factor. Instead, it’s the difference in speed between the vehicles.
For example, say that the vehicles collide while the front vehicle is traveling 30 miles per hour and the rear vehicle is traveling 31 miles per hour. In that case, the crash will produce minor injuries. But if the front vehicle is stopped and the rear vehicle is traveling 31 miles per hour, serious injuries are likely.
Discuss Your Rear-End Crash With Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers
A rear-end crash can cause severe brain, head, and neck injuries. Contact us to discuss your rear-end crash and how we can overcome the myths surrounding it.