In 2011, there was not one single day when someone did not die out on the roadways in Texas, according to TxDOT. Day in, day out, someone lost their life on the roads. From a different angle, these crashes cause other types of damage. For instance, the more than 3,000 deaths on Texas roadways over the course of 2011 cost the state nearly $22 billion dollars. Obviously, traffic accidents have very real consequences, both in terms of their human and economic costs. Rear end crashes are among the most common types of crashes, and here are some ways that you can avoid them.
Intersections
More than 600 of the fatalities in 2011 took place at intersections. These are some of the most dangerous places on the roads for rear end accidents. There are some types of drivers who tend to make these accidents far more likely to occur:
- Drivers who jump lights
- Drivers who fail to watch the lights as they approach intersections
- Drivers who fail to signal before turning into an intersection
- Drivers who speed
Whenever you’re at an intersection, you’re in real danger of being involved in a rear end collision. Be particularly wary at times when the weather has made the road slippery or when traffic is moving in packs. These situations can easily lead to serious rear-end collisions.
Turning Off
Turning off of the road you’re headed on is another occasion when you’re at a high risk of being involved in a traffic accident involving a rear-end collision. When you’re turning off of a road, be sure to check your mirrors so that you know if someone is tailgating you or if they’re coming up behind you too quickly. Turn your signal on well in advance of making your turn and gradually slow into the turn rather than suddenly reducing speed and risking surprising a driver behind you.
Rear end lawsuits can sometimes end up paying out enough in jury awards or settlements to make a real difference in the victim’s lives. The amounts that your lawyer will encourage you to seek, of course, will depend upon the injuries that you suffered. If you were injured physically, the attorney will encourage you to seek compensation for that. Even if only your property was destroyed, however, you still may stand to win a considerable sum of money by going after a negligent driver.
