All motor vehicle operators have a responsibility to travel in their cars safely. Adhering to traffic laws and using sound judgment, if not common sense. Yet, for far too many drivers, those tenets are not the rule and more the exception.
Waiting at a stoplight or the end of an exit ramp seems relatively safe. Yet, in a split second, catastrophe can occur as you see an approaching vehicle in your rearview mirror that is showing no signs of stopping.
Seemingly no way out
Of all motor vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions are the most unlikely to avoid. Due to the surprise and shock factors, these types of crashes are impossible to avoid, making them particularly serious. The result can be life-changing and potentially life-ending.
One study reveals that rear-end collisions account for close to 30 percent of motor vehicle accidents. According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 20 percent of all traffic accidents involve rear-end collisions and more than seven percent of fatalities.
The potential risks of legal action
When pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, the assumption exists that the responsible party is the driver who rear-ended the victim’s car. However, that may not hold up over time. Specific scenarios exist where both drivers are to blame. They include:
- Slamming the brakes unexpectedly
- Putting the vehicle in reverse
- Failing to signal a turn
- Malfunctioning/non-working brake lights
Regardless of who is at fault, a rear-end accident can be life-changing for accident victims and their family members. Careers are often sidelined, with some victims no longer able to work. Even worse, family members are grieving the tragic and preventable loss of a loved one. Help from a personal injury attorney cannot turn back the clock but can secure some sense of justice.