Rear-End Collision

As one of the most common types of car accidents, it’s likely that most drivers will experience a rear-end collision at some point in their lives. When it actually happens, however, it can be very stressful and may have resulted in serious injuries. Many of these rear-end accidents can last a long time and require physical therapy or even surgery to alleviate. A car accident lawyer in St. Louis can help you recover damages from your injuries.

Rear-End Accident Liability and Fault

There are some myths that still get circulated about rear-end collisions — especially among teenage or other new drivers — that are important for all people to know. First of all, it is not true that the driver who collides with the rear-end of another car is always the at-fault driver. In fact, there are a few exceptions to note:

“Break checking” is a way of antagonizing the tailing driver by slamming on the brakes for no reason
Not using hazard lights to indicate that you have a flat tire or another mechanical problem and need to slow down and/or pullover
Having faulty or broken brake lights
Reversing suddenly

If you are found at fault of doing any of these things, then you may be liable for the accident, but in most cases, the driver of the rear vehicle is usually found to be at fault.

Rear-End Accident Injuries

The types of injuries vary from moderate to severe whiplash, facial injuries such as bruises and cuts, seat belt injuries, and brain injuries. Sometimes victims hit can hit their head on the windshield and suffer cuts as a result. If you have been injured in a rear-end accident, then seek medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are mild. They might develop into health complications later.

Avoid Tailgating To Stay Safe in St. Louis

So as to avoid tailgating, you should always leave a three-second distance between you and the car in front of you. The proper thing to do when you’re being tailgated is to tap the brake a few times to warn the driver behind them that they are slowing down. You do not have the right to tailgate behind another vehicle and you risk hitting them. Drivers are told to slow down when they see a tailgater, so if you feel the need to go faster, just change lanes and go around the driver. If the driver is going at the minimum speed, then they are driving legally, so carefully change lanes. You want to avoid any possibility of the other driver suggesting that you were aggressive or driving dangerously. A car accident lawyer in St. Louis is here to listen to you if your injuries were caused by a tailgater who recklessly chose to prioritize what they wanted to do behind the wheel over your safety and health.