Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of car crashes seen across Indiana and the rest of the United States. Rear-end collisions also often lead to serious, potentially life-changing injuries and account for almost 30% of all car wrecks that result in injuries.
According to The National Law Review, most rear-end collisions take place when one vehicle is not moving and the one behind it is.
Rear-end collision statistics
While 29% of car wrecks that result in injuries are rear-end crashes, these collisions also cause more than 7% of all road deaths across the nation. They also account for almost 20% of all road fatalities resulting from crashes involving two vehicles.
Rear-end collision causes
Many rear-end car wrecks have similar characteristics in common. Most of the time, the driver who rear-ends the other car is at fault. Many rear-end crashes occur when drivers neglect to notice when those in front of them slow down due to traffic or obstructions in the roadway. Other times, a negligent driver might not notice a turn signal and hit the back of another vehicle before that vehicle has a chance to complete the turn. In other instances, rear-end collisions occur at traffic lights when motorists expect those in front of them to move right away when the light turns green and pull forward prematurely.
Sometimes, a driver who rear-ends another is solely at fault for a resulting crash. Other times, both drivers may play a role in the event. In this scenario, the driver in front may still be able to seek damages if he or she suffers injuries.