Rear-end collisions are one of the most common automobile accidents. Most often in these accidents, the driver who gets hit is at a complete stop or driving a few miles an hour as he is preparing to stop at a stop light or stop sign. But these crashes can also happen when both vehicles are driving at faster speeds. Whether a motorist is stopped, driving at a slow speed, or going 45 miles per hour or faster, his injuries can be severe.

Six Common Causes of Rear-end Collisions

In most cases, the driver slamming into the other vehicle is at fault in a rear-end collision. Here are the most common reasons a driver might hit someone from behind:

  1. Speeding. If a driver is driving at an excessive speed, he can’t slow down fast enough to stop before hitting the driver in front of him.
  2. Tailgating. If a driver is driving aggressively and fails to stay a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of him, he can slam into the vehicle when the motorist slows to stop at a signal or needs to stop quickly because of what’s ahead.
  3. Inattention. If the driver is eating, using his cell phone, or otherwise not paying attention to the road, he may not realize the vehicle in front of him has stopped and could cause a rear-end collision.
  4. Driver intoxication. If the driver is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, his judgment and reflexes are impaired. He may not judge the distance between his car and the one in front of him or could fall asleep, crashing into the other vehicle.
  5. Weather conditions. If the driver is driving in rain, fog, or high winds, it can make it more difficult to see what’s ahead. When the driver isn’t being attentive enough, an accident could result.
  6. Unsafe lane change. If the driver changes lanes without checking for vehicles, he might not see the vehicle in front and could smash into it.

The injured victim of these kinds of accidents could face medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and unpaid time from work. He might be worried about permanent changes to his life—like not being able to work again—if he suffered a serious injury, such as brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or loss of a limb. Fortunately, he may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver who rear-ended him.

If you or a family member was injured in a rear-end collision or another vehicle accident caused by another driver, we understand how overwhelming it can be. Our compassionate legal team is experienced in handling these cases. Check out our testimonials to see how we’ve helped people like you.

Peter Steinberg
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Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Since 1982