Rear-end collisions are more common than people think. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2019, about 32.5% of all motor vehicle collisions that year were rear-end accidents. Moreover, the National Safety Council stated in a 2021 report that 17.9% of rear-end collisions that year resulted in death, which equals about 3,600 fatalities.
Even though a rear-end crash doesn't necessarily result in death all the time, the case becomes more dangerous when it involves a truck driver.
Rear-end collisions, unfortunately, can happen due to many factors, including distracted driving, traffic congestion, speeding, and more.
Even though it's impossible to control how other people drive, it's everyone's responsibility to ensure they're following the law to avoid a vehicle accident. There are plenty of tips drivers can use to prevent rear-end collisions, especially those including trucks.
This page will cover everything drivers should know about avoiding rear-end collisions in Ohio. can also give information on what you can do to avoid truck tire blowouts.
How Dangerous Are Rear-end Truck Accidents in Ohio?
Rear-end crashes are already dangerous for many reasons, especially if the accident was caused by excessive vehicle speed. However, things become even worse when the crash involves a truck.
Most trucks are considerably bigger than the average car, meaning that the crash could cause further damage to the other drivers.
Typically, those who get rear-ended can experience the following injuries:
Back pain
Shoulder pain
Lacerations
Spinal cord injuries
Whiplash
Traumatic brain injuries
Fractures
Those who have pre-existing conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, for example, could get worse after a rear-end accident.
In most cases, whiplash and subtle back pain may be considered "mild" injuries. With proper treatment, the victim could reach a full recovery.
Severe injuries, on the other hand, can lead to spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, which can cause many more complications in the future.
In the worst-case scenario, rear-end collisions involving a truck could lead to one of the driver's death. This is why it's so important to maintain a safe following distance and follow as many safety tips as possible while on the road.
Which Factors Contribute to Rear-end Collisions?
There are plenty of reasons that could cause a rear-end crash. According to the NHTSA, the most common factor contributing to rear-end crashes is distracted driving.
The rest of the reasons involving the driver include:
Not keeping a good following distance from other vehicles
Not obeying traffic signals
Not checking the vehicle's lights before going on the road
Tailgating
Driving while intoxicated
Speeding
Making poor decisions while driving
Inexperience
Slow reaction times
Improper turns
However, there are a few other factors that don't necessarily involve drivers. These include:
Poor weather conditions
Poorly-maintained roads/highways
Unforeseen mechanical failures
Lack of road signaling
How to Avoid Rear-end Collisions in Ohio Successfully
It's possible to prevent rear-end collisions for a long time. Even though it may be impossible to control bad drivers, it's possible to avoid them.
Here are a few tips on how to avoid getting into truck rear-end accidents:
Inspect the Vehicle Before Driving
Many drivers "forget" to check their vehicle before going out. It may be because they're in a hurry or because they don't care.
In any case, not checking for specific details could lead to an accident in the future.
It's crucial to inspect the vehicle, especially these parts:
Tires
Turn signals
Headlights
Brake lights
Mirrors
Windshields
Moreover, if the driver has forward collision warning systems installed, they should verify that they work. These systems do an excellent job of preventing crashes even if the driver is distracted (although they shouldn't rely on them all the time).
Keep a Safe Following Distance
Many drivers tend to drive close to other cars. This can be extremely dangerous, especially when driving close to a truck.
The best solution to this issue is to keep a safe distance between any vehicle. Most institutions, including the National Safety Council, recommend drivers to use the "four-second following rule," at least during normal daytime driving conditions.
According to the rule, drivers should choose an object on the road, such as a sign, an overpass, or a tree as a fixed reference point. When the vehicle in the front goes beyond that point, the driver should count to four.
If the driver passes the reference point before they finish counting, that means they are too close to the other vehicle. It may be hard to get the hang of the rule at first, but it becomes easy once the driver has done it a few times.
All drivers should consider increasing the following distances if they're in complicated conditions, such as:
Slippery roads
Poor visibility
Following a vehicle that stops too much, such as a garbage truck
Following trucks that are too big and block the view of the road ahead
Stay Below the Speed Limit
It should go without saying, but all drivers must go at or under the specified speed limit. Going too fast (or too slow) will eventually cause an accident.
In most cases, the "sweet spot" is to stay slightly below the speed limit. This gives the person more time to react to most drivers and anything they may do unexpectedly.
Stay Alert and Pay Attention to Other Drivers
One of the most important things to do while on the road is to be aware of the surroundings. Even if drivers should focus on the road ahead at all times, they also have to pay attention to their mirrors to ensure no one is driving dangerously close to them.
Looking at the rear-view mirrors, for example, can tell the driver if the vehicle behind them is too close. Even though it seems overwhelming to pay attention to so many things at the same time, it becomes second nature once the driver has gone on the road a few times.
In these cases, it's also important to minimize distractions as much as possible. Drivers shouldn't text while driving. If they're driving with other people in the car, they shouldn't get their eyes off the road to talk to them. The driver's main focus should always be the road and the other drivers.
If the driver must answer a text urgently, they should stop somewhere safe and do it before going on the road again.
React Accordingly to Every Situation/Be Predictable
Another thing that helps is to be predictable while driving. Sometimes, drivers make sudden stops or lane changes, which can increase the risk of getting into an accident.
Here's where it's crucial to signal the other drivers for any lane changes/turning, brake early, not cut in line, and take any other measures that ensure everyone's safety. To make things easier, the driver should plan their route in advance to avoid making any sudden decisions later.
If other drivers make a decision that could potentially hurt the person, they should be able to react accordingly without risking themselves or anyone else.
What to Do If Someone Got Injured in a Rear-end Collision in Ohio
Each rear-end collision case is different, but there's a series of steps victims can follow to ensure everyone gets the help they need.
Depending on what happened, it's possible that the victims may need to seek immediate help if they want to avoid permanent complications, so it's crucial to act fast.
Here's everything people must do after an accident:
Get to a safe place.
Check the condition of other people involved in the accident (if possible).
Contact the police and emergency responders.
Gather evidence of the injuries and damage (photos and videos apply).
Get a copy of the police report.
Get the other driver's insurance and personal information.
Get the contact information of any potential witnesses.
Talk to semi truck accident lawyers in Toledo and the insurance company for help.
It's important to note that sometimes, it may not be possible to do all these things. The victim, for example, may be too injured to start taking pictures or videos.
In any case, it's important to follow all these steps as long as they're possible. If not, it's better to wait for medical assistance before doing anything else.
Is It Possible to Get Legal Help After Experiencing Rear-end Crashes?
Yes! Following these driver safety tips alone won't be enough to prevent all rear-end accidents.
It's hard to predict what other drivers will do when on the road, especially trucks, which have more blind spots to consider.
Victims who get into a vehicle accident due to someone else's fault should seek legal help from a professional. These experts can help victims gather enough evidence, file a claim, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure they get compensated. They can also help with questions like What can you do to avoid head-on truck accidents?
In these cases, victims can seek compensation for:
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Loss of consortium or the life of a loved one
Medical bills
Physical therapy
And more
Bottom Line - How Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Can Help Victims Seek Justice
Sometimes, truck accidents can be unpredictable, even if the other driver is following all possible laws and safety tips. However, doing that could greatly reduce the risk of getting into an accident.
Those who got into an accident, however, should seek immediate help to avoid health complications. Then, it's crucial that they seek legal help to file a claim against the other driver.
The lawyers at Schuerger Shunnarah are willing to "Go to War" for their clients, so those interested in filing a claim are encouraged to request a free consultation as soon as possible.