Rear end collisions are incredibly common. They occur most frequently in areas where there is a lot of traffic, and usually involve one car that is following too close, slamming into the vehicle ahead of it.
If you have been rear ended, you may need the services of a Kirkendall Dwyer LLP attorney. We are available for free consultations just by phoning 713-522-3529.
The good news is that sometimes you can avoid a rear-end collision.
- Check mirrors frequently (usually every 5-8 seconds, and then again if you are slowing down or planning to stop).
- Look ahead to see if vehicles ahead of you are slowing down or stopping. You’ll be able to brake more gently and sooner, forcing vehicles that are behind you to do the same.
- Remember to focus. Just because there was nothing behind you when you first stopped, that doesn’t mean no one is barreling up while you’re waiting.
- Be prepared to react if it appears that you are about to be rear ended. Resist the temptation to hit the brakes – this will increase your risk of whiplash or other soft tissue injury. Instead, look for an escape route – the sidewalk, a lawn, or a parking lot.
- Make sure that your brake lights are operating properly. The driver behind you should be watching your lights, and if you have a burnt-out fuse, they may not know that you are planning to stop.
Sometimes despite all your best efforts you could end up being rear ended. If this happens to you, the most common injury you could suffer is whiplash, which is a stretching of the muscles and ligaments in the neck and head beyond what they are naturally equipped to tolerate. The condition is painful and can have permanent consequences including headaches, shoulder or back pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, and sleep disturbances to name just a few.
If you have been rear ended, contact a Kirkendall Dwyer LLP attorney at 713-522-3529. The consultation is free, and we will work to ensure that you are fairly treated and receive appropriate compensation for your injuries.