According to the National Safety Council (NSC), rear-end collisions made up 17.9% of all fatal car accidents in 2021 — directly causing a frightening 3,600 deaths. But why do these collisions happen in Las Vegas, and who is to blame for their alarming frequency?
Rear-End Collisions Are Usually the Fault of the Driver in the Rear
Typically, rear-end crashes occur because the driver of one vehicle is following too closely to safely maneuver around another vehicle when it stops or slows down. Nevada law requires drivers to maintain a reasonable and prudent distance that accounts for the speeds of each vehicle and the current road conditions.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
It may seem like maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead of you is an easy task, but many drivers have difficulty doing so due to several common reasons, such as:
The Rear Driver Being in a Hurry
One of the simplest causes of all types of car accidents is someone who is in a hurry and driving recklessly as a result. In such a situation, the rear driver isn’t even considering safe driving distance; they’re placing trust in their driving skill to avoid accidents, even as they maneuver dangerously close to other vehicles.
Bad Weather Conditions
Another common cause of rear-end collisions is poor weather conditions, such as heavy rains or snowfall. Many drivers don’t recognize that the safe distance increases significantly when road conditions are poor. But that doesn’t mean the weather is at fault, and drivers cannot use their ignorance of how the weather affects safe driving to avoid responsibility.
The same principle still applies when the road is dangerous for reasons not related to weather. For example, on a gravel road or on one covered in potholes, drivers should allow more distance between cars to ensure they can safely avoid dangers when slowing or stopping.
Distracted Driving
Another common cause of rear-end crashes is distracted driving. When drivers are looking at their electronic devices or otherwise not keeping their eyes on the road, they can lose track of how much distance is between their car and the car in front of them, which can easily result in an accident if traffic slows down.
Depending on how long they are distracted, the change doesn’t even have to happen rapidly for such an accident to occur.
When Is a Rear-End Collision the Fault of the Front Driver?
Typically, rear-end collisions are only the fault of the front driver if they cut off the rear driver, which is usually the result of some form of reckless or distracted driving. However, there are also situations where someone will intentionally cut off another driver trying to cause a rear-end collision.
Such actions are often taken as a means of inciting a type of insurance fraud, wherein the driver of the front vehicle tries to take advantage of the fact that rear drivers are usually considered at fault.
Fault Matters in a Rear-End Collision
It is essential to determine fault in car accidents that occur in Nevada. The state is not a no-fault state, so the insurance company for the at-fault driver pays for covered damages to the other driver.
This is most important if you or a passenger in your car is seriously injured. The other driver’s insurance should cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs if that driver was found to be at fault. At the same time, you can also file a lawsuit for additional damages.
Contact Our Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in Las Vegas, NV, and need legal help contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation today.
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
1149 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV. 89104
(702) 222-9999
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Summerlin Office
410 S Rampart Blvd, Ste 480 Las Vegas, NV. 89145
(702) 297-6373
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
9555 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV. 89123
(702) 997-4264