A rear-end collision occurs when one car crashes into the back of another.
Sometimes, many vehicles can be involved in a chain reaction, especially in heavy traffic. Not everyone will be involved in an extremely serious car accident in their lifetime, but many people do end up in rear-end accidents of varying degrees of severity.
A recent crash statistics report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that rear-end collisions are the second most common type of car accident after head-on crashes.
Rear-end accidents result in almost 24% of all traffic incidents, with as many as 1,490 deaths and 295,805 injuries each year. While most happen at low speeds, they can still leave you with serious injuries that require medical attention, including:
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Head and face injuries
- Strained, sprained, or torn muscles
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
After a rear-end crash, your first priority is to ensure everyone is safe. In most cases, it’s wise to dial 911 and request police and medical first responders.
You may feel fine but could have injuries you don’t know about until you have a thorough medical evaluation.
What’s to Blame for Rear-End Collisions? Some Causes May Surprise You
With so many large highways and numerous city streets in the Houston area, there are a lot of opportunities for rear-end crashes to occur. Common locations include:
- Intersections when someone is making a turn (right or left)
- Parking lots when someone is exiting a parking space
- Roads where someone is exiting a parking lot
- Highways during stop-and-go traffic or during total standstills
- Highway on and off ramps when drivers don’t adjust their speed
Where these accidents occur can vary almost as widely as why they happen. Some of the most frequent reasons a driver hits another vehicle from behind include the following:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is becoming a more common cause of rear-end accidents. Individuals might be texting, talking on the phone, checking e-mail, changing the radio station, or even eating while driving.
Anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road for even one second can cause a rear-end collision.
Under Texas law, it’s illegal to hold or use your handheld wireless device while driving. If you believe the at-fault driver was distracted by their phone, you can request their cell phone records. Your car accident attorney can help you collect evidence such as this to support your claim.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Substances
Those who choose to get behind the wheel after drinking too much put everyone else on the road at risk. Alcohol reduces the ability to respond when a driver needs to slow down or stop to avoid an accident. The driver who hit you may also have been affected by their use of illegal substances or even their prescribed medications. It’s vital that motorists pay attention to whether their medicines can cause slowed reaction times or sleepiness.
Fatigued or Drowsy Driving
Fatigued or Drowsy DrivingThe NHTSA reports that driving while you’re sleepy is almost as risky as driving while drunk. In Houston, many commuters work night shifts or physically demanding occupations, such as construction or oilfield jobs. Tourists may be making their way across the vast state of Texas, failing to take appropriate rest breaks.
A driver who is falling asleep or exhausted isn’t able to pay close attention to what’s going on around them. They may fail to notice that you’ve slowed down or stopped in front of them, causing them to slam into your car. If they are completely unconscious, they won’t slow down at all, meaning you could suffer even more serious injuires.
Dangerous Driving Behaviors
Behind the wheel, most drivers experience frustration or anger and may take it out on others. They may go too fast for the conditions, swerve around other vehicles, and ignore traffic laws. If they are concentrating on a target of their road rage, they could either intentionally or accidentally rear-end you.
Not only do these negligent individuals deserve to be held criminally liable when they are caught for breaking the law, but they must also pay for your injuries and property damage. To do this, you’ll need help from a qualified car accident lawyer who can develop your insurance claim or civil lawsuit to seek maximum compensation for you.
Bad Weather and Road Conditions
Weather can affect visibility or create slippery conditions that impact a driver’s ability to control the car or see clearly. Houston and all of Texas are experiencing more frequent snow and ice storms, potentially making it harder for vehicles to stop in time to avoid rear-end accidents. Occasional fog may blanket the roads, making it more difficult for motorists to see the vehicles in front of them.
When road crews fail to clear debris or put up signs indicating bumps, dips, or other hazards, drivers may make maneuvers that cause them to hit someone else from behind. In addition, some roads are poorly designed and have inadequate traffic signs, such as the 25 worst roads in Houston, as detailed by Click2Houston every year.
Vehicle or Parts Defects
While most people assume the following vehicle is always to blame in a rear-end crash, the truth is you could be the victim if the car in front of you had a defect or malfunction in their tail lights. While you may still carry some of the blame if you were following too closely, in some cases, the front driver is more liable for an accident.
For example, the 2023 report on crash contributing factors by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) shows that over 11,200 accidents in the state could be attributed to causes such as:
- Defective or no stop lamps
- Defective or no taillamps
- Defective or no turn signal lamps
- Defective or no trailer brakes
- Defective or no vehicle brakes
- Defective or slick tires
- Defective steering mechanism
Also, there may be other parties, such as the parts manufacturer or a repair shop, that could be liable. One of the primary tasks for your car accident lawyer will be to identify every person or entity that contributed to your rear-end collision and determine how to hold them accountable for their part. They can investigate on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Texas Allows You to File Insurance Claims and Personal Injury Lawsuits After a Rear-End Accident
The state of Texas requires all drivers to carry auto insurance for liability, which pays for any injuries and property damage they cause when they are at fault for an accident. The minimum coverage amounts are:
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability for one person hurt
- $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability
After the accident, you should exchange insurance and contact details with the rear-end driver. Call your insurance company to notify them of the crash and share that information so they can begin working on your claim. Avoid making any statements that might seem like you are partly to blame.
Once you report the accident, call a car accident lawyer to arrange a free consultation. You can ask questions about your claim and get legal advice on whether you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to cover your losses. Most injury law firms offer this complimentary case review so you can understand your options without paying a retainer.
Get Help From a Top-Notch Houston Rear End Accident Lawyer Today
Supporting your claim requires high-quality evidence, which you can start gathering right after the crash. You can take photos of your injuries, the auto damage, road conditions, and anything else that might show what happened. Your lawyer will request camera footage from the surrounding area and cell phone records to show the at-fault driver was texting when they hit you.
At Steve Lee Accident & Injury Attorneys, we help you negotiate a fair settlement for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other losses due to a negligent rear-end driver. Contact us to arrange a free consultation with a Houston car accident lawyer today.