A rear-end collision, where one motor vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle, can cause life-changing injuries in the blink of an eye. While there’s a common misconception that the fault in a rear-end wreck automatically lies with the driver who hit the car in front of them, this is not always the case.
When a rear-end collision occurs in South Carolina, it’s imperative for drivers to gather as much physical evidence and witness testimony as possible to help determine who is liable for damages, but this is often easier said than done.
At Chappell, Chappell and Newman, we understand how complicated these cases can be, which is why our knowledgeable Columbia personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients prove liability and recover the full amount of compensation available to them.
Find out how we can help maximize your claim by scheduling a free consultation.
What is the leading cause of rear-end collisions?
There are many causes of rear-end collisions, but most of these accidents occur because drivers are following the car in front of them too closely.
The general rule of thumb for safe driving distance is to maintain a car-length distance between you and the car in front of you for each 10 miles per hour you are traveling. For a car traveling at 60 miles per hour, the safe distance is to be 6 car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you.
Failure to keep a safe distance, especially at high speeds, is undoubtedly one of the most common preventable causes of these accidents.
Other rear-end collision hazards include:
- In poor weather conditions, drivers should maintain an even greater distance from the car in front of them. Icy or wet roadways can cause vehicles to slide and lose traction, making it impossible to avoid a collision with the car in front. The more room you have to stop your vehicle, the less chance you have of rear-ending the car in front of you.
- Driving at excessive speed reduces the time a driver has to react and increases the severity of a rear-end collision.
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired judgment, reflexes, and reaction times, making them more likely to cause accidents.
- Driver distraction is another common cause of rear-end collisions, which can be particularly dangerous in construction zones with congested traffic and intersections. Cell phone usage, texting while driving, drowsy driving, and even eating while driving can take your attention off the road in front of you. A mere 3-second distraction is enough time to cause a collision with the car in front of you.
- Mechanical failures like brake failure or malfunctioning tail lights in the lead vehicle often contribute to rear-end collisions.
- Debris or animals in the roadway, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossings can cause the lead car to stop suddenly. When the rear driver is distracted, rear-end collisions can occur.
Rear-end collisions also commonly cause chain-reaction crashes, in which multiple cars following too closely become involved in the accident because they don’t have time to brake. Depending on the speed of the vehicle that initiated the accident, the force and momentum of that speed can result in several vehicles being pushed into the rear of the car in front of them.
Fatal Auto Wrecks:
What To Do When You’ve Lost
a Loved One in South Carolina
Learn more about your rights under SC law after a fatal car accident in Columbia.
What injury is most common with rear-end collisions?
The most common injury associated with rear-end collisions is whiplash. This occurs when the head is suddenly jerked back and forth, straining the muscles and ligaments in the neck. Whiplash can cause pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness, and symptoms may not appear immediately after the accident.
Other common injuries in rear-end collisions include:
- Back injuries. The sudden impact can cause strains, sprains, and even herniated discs in the back.
- Head injuries. Concussions, brain bleeds, and other traumatic brain injuries can result from the head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or headrest.
- Spinal cord and neck injuries. In addition to whiplash, the abrupt movement in a rear-end crash can damage spinal discs or even fracture vertebrae, leading to chronic pain, neurological issues, and, in severe cases, paralysis.
- Chest injuries. The impact of the seatbelt or steering wheel can cause bruising, broken ribs, or internal injuries.
- Arm and wrist injuries. These can occur if the driver is gripping the steering wheel tightly during the impact.
- Soft tissue injuries. These musculoskeletal injuries can include bruises, contusions, and sprains to muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body.
- Psychological injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression can also develop after a car accident.
It’s important to seek medical attention after any car accident, even if you don’t feel injured right away, as some common rear-end crash injuries like whiplash and concussions often have delayed symptoms.
How long does it take to feel the effects of a rear-end collision?
The onset of symptoms after a rear-end collision varies greatly, with some people experiencing pain immediately, while others may not experience any symptoms for hours, days, or, in rare instances, even weeks.
We cannot say this enough: Be sure to see a doctor immediately after any car crash. Failure to seek treatment after the accident not only risks your health but also makes it more difficult to prove your injuries are related to the crash, which can negatively impact your personal injury claim.
What makes rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks especially dangerous?
Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks are significantly more dangerous than those involving passenger vehicles due to the immense size and weight difference.
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, compared to the average car weighing around 4,000 pounds. This discrepancy means that the force of impact in a rear-end collision is far greater, leading to more severe injuries or fatalities for occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Additionally, the design of commercial trucks contributes to the severity of rear-end accidents. Smaller vehicles can easily slide under a truck’s trailer in a collision, known as an underride accident, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Trucks also have larger blind spots and longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, making it harder for truck drivers to avoid collisions and increasing the risk of high-speed impacts. The potential for cargo spills involving hazardous materials further increases the risk of injuries like severe burns and disfigurement for accident victims.
Who is usually at fault in a rear-end collision?
In the majority of rear-end collisions, the driver of the vehicle that crashes into the lead vehicle is found to be at fault for the accident.
However, the driver of the lead vehicle can also be found at least partially at fault for the accident if they were negligent.
Examples of this type of negligence include drivers who:
- Fail to use turn signals
- Drive unsafe or damaged vehicles without hazard lights employed
- Drive without working brake lights
- Put their cars in reverse and crash into the car behind them
- Brake check the car behind them to intimidate or “punish” the rear driver
- Make an unsafe lane change directly in front of the rear driver, leaving them insufficient time to react
If any of these situations apply, the lead driver could be found liable for a rear-end accident.
Brake Checking Causing
Serious Car Accidents
Brake checking occurs when a driver intentionally and abruptly applies their brakes in an effort to intimidate or scare the driver behind them.
What if more than one driver is at fault for a car accident in South Carolina?
When more than one driver is found to be at fault for a rear-end collision, states use a system of contributory negligence or comparative negligence to determine liability coverage.
The law of contributory negligence prevents a driver found to be responsible in any way for the rear-end collision from claiming any monetary compensation from the other driver. Under comparative negligence, however, compensation for damages is split among the drivers according to their degree of fault.
So, how is fault determined in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, fault in car accidents is determined using a modified comparative fault system. This means that each driver involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault based on their contribution to the crash, and their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
So, if a driver is awarded $100,000 in damages but is found 20% at fault, they will only receive $80,000.
Additionally, to recover compensation in South Carolina, the injured party’s percentage of fault must be less than 51%.
Injured in a rear-end crash? Get help from the experienced Columbia car accident attorneys at Chappell, Chappell and Newman!
If you have been injured in a rear-end car accident, the experienced team of Columbia car accident lawyers at Chappell, Chappell and Newman can help you get the compensation you deserve. With convenient office locations throughout South Carolina, our attorneys proudly represent injured victims and their families throughout the state.
Whether you want help gathering evidence to prove liability or negotiating with the insurance company to get maximum compensation, we’ll use our more than 30 years of experience in South Carolina personal injury law to fight for the full compensation you deserve.