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How to prevent rear-end crashes – even those caused by others

On Behalf of | Jan 29, 2025 | Car Accidents

Rear-end collisions aren’t typically the most serious types of crashes. However, depending on the speed, the number of vehicles involved (as in a chain-reaction collision) or other consequences, such as being pushed into oncoming traffic, they can indeed cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries.

Even if you try to follow the “3-second rule” of measuring distance behind the car in front of you accordingly, you may find that other vehicles want to move into that space you’ve left, so it can be hard to maintain.

Typically, the driver who rear-ends someone else is the one with primary liability for a crash. In some instances, however, the driver in front may bear responsibility. For example, if a driver slows drastically or stops or cuts abruptly in front of another driver, there may be no way to avoid hitting them. We’ve all encountered drivers like that. So, what can you do to avoid a crash when someone acts so recklessly?

Be aware of what’s going on around you

It’s important to keep an eye not just on the vehicle ahead of you, but farther down the road as well. If the driver a few cars ahead of you stops suddenly, the ones behind them will have to stop, so you’ll want to slow down and give yourself extra space.

It’s also crucial to regularly look in all your mirrors, just like they teach in driver’s ed. If your car has a blind-spot alert function that lets you know when someone is moving alongside you, don’t ignore that. The more awareness you have of what’s going on in every direction around you, the less likely you are to be surprised and required to make a quick move.

Get in the habit of using your turn signals – even when others don’t

Too many preventable crashes occur because a driver makes a quick move into another lane without first signaling (and maybe not even looking around them first). Of course, it’s critical to look before you move to make sure no one is approaching.

Using your turn signal lets others know your intentions. The SMOG acronym is a good one to remember — signal, mirrors, over the shoulder and go. Of course, if the drivers around you are distracted, impaired or just reckless, signaling won’t help. However, it’s always a smart habit to develop.

By employing safe driving habits, you really can reduce your chances of a collision. Further, if you are involved in a collision, the fact that you’re driving safely means that it’s less likely to be your fault. That means that with sound legal guidance, you can seek optimal compensation for medical bills and other expenses and damages from those who are at fault.