The Dangers of Rear-End Accidents

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Rear-End Accidents in Erie, Pennsylvania

Rear-end accidents might seem like an innocuous fender-bender, but for many people, they are anything but. Being hit in the rear of your vehicle at highway speeds can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, lifelong disability. A motorcycle rider too can suffer significant injury when struck in the rear by a passenger vehicle.  Let’s take a look at the causes, disparities of impact in various scenarios and liability for a rear-end collision.

Personal Injury Lawyers – Travis Law Firm

Whether it’s a rear-end collision on a crowded highway or one on an urban thoroughfare, the attorneys at our law firm apply their knowledge, determination and experience to your case. They fight for your right to obtain the compensation you deserve in any type of personal injury. To do this, we send our investigators to the scene of the accident to determine why and how the accident happened.

While Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, in some cases, the amount of compensation your policy provides will not cover the medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering you endured. It is important to gather the needed evidence to prove liability ahead of time. No one should shoulder the financial burden of an accident that was not their fault. Call us at (814) 277-2222 to schedule a free case consultation while the evidence is still available. 

Risk of Rear-End Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end accidents carry a significant risk profile. Overall, they happen frequently and occur most often (81 percent) when the lead vehicle is stopped. Rear-end accidents often happen during daylight hours on a dry road. For the most part, the driver to the rear hits the lead vehicle because they were distracted or just not looking where they were going. Males cause rear-end accidents more than females. 

Injury in a Rear-End Crash

Rear-end collisions cause many different injuries at several severity levels. For instance, some people may suffer a sore neck and muscular pain. This is usually diagnosed as whiplash due to the head’s rapid back and forth movement when struck from behind. Normally, the symptoms will resolve with rest within a month. However, if the speed of impact is greater, as it often is on the highway, the result is more serious.

The same movement at a higher impact can cause a subdural hematoma due to the brain hitting the rough inside structure of the skull. It can also result in a herniated vertebra in the cervical (neck) area. Both injuries require surgical intervention in most cases. 

Size Matters

A collision between a motor vehicle and a motorcycle or a truck and a passenger vehicle has the biggest impact. For example, a big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds compared with a passenger vehicle at roughly 3,500 pounds. The occupants of the passenger vehicle usually suffer catastrophic injuries. 

Reasons for Rear-End Accidents

Negligence is the chief reason for rear-end accidents. Drivers have a duty to maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the one ahead as well as stay alert for changes in traffic flow that might lead to a rear-end collision. The following are the most common reasons for a rear-end crash:

  • Distracted driving: Motorists who are eating, texting or looking for something in the vehicle are driving distracted and are likely to be involved in a rear-end collision. 
  • Drunk driving: Driving while impaired is dangerous behavior and one that is responsible for many accidents. A drunk driver lacks the judgment, reflexes and coordination needed to drive safely.
  • Speeding: Traveling at a speed that is too fast for the situation is a common reason for rear-end accidents. By speeding, the driver loses the ability to control his/her vehicle and stop in time to avoid a collision. Speed is a critical factor in an urban crosswalk and determines the physical outcome for a pedestrian. 
  • Fatigued driving: Nodding off behind the wheel leads to many crashes. In only five seconds at highway speed, a vehicle can travel the length of a football field, making it difficult to avoid a rear-end crash.

Let the Travis Law Firm Help You

Don’t suffer both the physical injury and financial cost of an accident. Call the Travis Law Firm in Erie at (814) 277-2222 or reach us at the following locations. You can also contact us online. Don’t try to go it alone. Let us be at your side every step of the way.