Car accidents in Houston are a common problem. Despite making up only eight percent of the state’s population, Houston accounts for 16% of Texas car accidents each year—twice as many as it should. Rear-end collisions in Houston makeup about a third of all car accidents, making them one of the most commonly experienced accidents for Texas residents. Whether you’ve experienced a recent rear-end accident in Houston, or you’re a daily driver on Houston’s congested roadways, it’s important to understand how these common collisions occur, the types of injuries they cause, and how negligence in a rear-end accident impacts a car accident claim in Houston so you can recover damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
When the Rear Driver is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Houston
All drivers on the road have a duty to take reasonable measures to avoid causing accidents and injuries to others on the roadway. This includes the duty to leave a safe following distance between the front of their vehicle and the rear of the vehicle in front of them. Most traffic experts recommend a distance of about three car lengths. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to adhere to this safety practice. The following common causes of rear-end accidents leave the rear driver liable for damages in an accident:
Tailgating: Following too closely behind another vehicle
Distracted driving: when a driver takes their eyes off the road to look at a text message, pick up a burger, adjust their sound system, or argue with children in the back seat, they may not see a driver in front of them slow down or stop, resulting in a rear-end collision due to their negligence
Speeding: When drivers exceed the speed limit it extends their stopping time in an emergency. A speeding driver may not have time to stop to avoid a collision if the car in front slows or stops
Aggressive driving: drivers in a hurry to get to work or another destination may aggressively tailgate another vehicle to force them into increasing their speed or moving over to let them pass. Aggressive driving is a common cause of rear-end accidents in Houston
Intoxication: Alcohol and other substances impair reaction times, visual perception, and judgment commonly causing rear-end collisions
Drowsy driving: A fatigued driver may lack the alertness to avoid a rear-end collision in traffic
Any of the above negligent, reckless, or wrongful actions behind the wheel leave the rear driver liable for damages in a rear-end accident in Houston or elsewhere.
Is the Front Driver Ever at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Texas?
A common misconception is that the front driver is never at fault in a rear-end accident. Although less common than rear-driver negligence, negligent actions from a front driver sometimes cause rear-end collisions, leaving the driver liable for damages. Some ways that front drivers may cause a rear-end accident include the following:
Failing to yield the right of way when exiting a driveway or parking lot, or pulling out in front of oncoming traffic
Merging into traffic too closely in front of another vehicle
Making an unsafe lane change
Failing to replace faulty brake lights
A front driver recklessly stops short in moving traffic
In less common circumstances, the manufacturer of a defective car part like defective brake lights on a front vehicle or defective brakes on a rear vehicle could make the manufacturer’s negligence the cause of the accident, leaving them liable for damages.
Injuries in Rear-End Collisions in Houston
Rear-end collisions are the number one cause of painful and debilitating whiplash. Other injuries experienced in rear-end accidents include:
Neck and back injuries
Head injuries
Broken bones
Soft tissue injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Bruises and lacerations
Rear-end collisions at high speeds may cause fatality, with back-seat passengers at high risk of serious injuries or death.
Proving Liability for a Rear-End Accident in Houston
It often takes a skilled attorney to investigate all aspects of a rear-end collision in Houston to determine the cause, document evidence of liability, and pursue a claim for damage for injured victims.