Anderson Injury Lawyers | October 27, 2023 | Car Accidents
Have you had the misfortune of being rear-ended in Dallas? Or have you simply watched this sort of crash play out in front of your eyes and found yourself wondering who’s at fault in a rear-end crash?
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents. And Texas driving laws mean that most of the time, the driver in the rear ends up paying the price.
Understanding how rear-end collisions happen in Dallas and how Texas law identifies the at-fault driver can help you protect your finances if you find yourself involved in a crash.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
In 2022, Dallas streets saw a total of 33,980 car accidents that resulted in 212 deaths. Rear-end collisions are one of the most frequent types of crashes, often leading to the deaths of both drivers and passengers. In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) reports that among crashes involving multiple vehicles, 17.9% of fatalities are caused by rear-end collisions.
Taking a closer look at how these crashes happen can help all drivers in Dallas be on the alert when it comes to staying safe on the roads.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving might be the leading cause of rear-end collisions in Dallas. When a driver fails to give their full attention to the road in front of them, it’s easy to end up in a rear-end collision.
Common types of distracted driving in Dallas include:
- Talking on the phone
- Texting
- Adjusting music
- Eating
- Talking to a passenger
- Reaching for something
A Dallas driver who takes their eyes off the road for just a moment endangers their own life and safety, as well as those of everyone in the vehicles around them.
Reckless Driving
It might come as a surprise that reckless driving happens frequently enough to be a significant factor in rear-end collisions in Texas, but it’s unfortunately true. Reckless driving can consist of a variety of illegal or unsafe driving practices.
Some of these practices include:
- Speeding
- Racing
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield
- Driving aggressively
- Illegal passing
- Brake checking
Brake checking, in particular, is a form of reckless driving that brings a high risk of a rear-end collision. Brake checking occurs when the driver in front intentionally slams on their brakes to alarm or anger the following driver.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is often a significant factor in rear-end collisions. Mind-altering substances make it difficult to accurately judge speed and distance — two crucial elements when it comes to identifying a safe stopping distance when following another car.
Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 2021 alone, 2,118 Texas drivers died behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.
Fault in a Dallas Rear-End Collision
Most of the time, fault in a Dallas crash is assigned to whichever car made contact. In rear-end collisions, that’s nearly always the driver in the rear. Usually, the following driver makes some sort of mistake, like glancing down at their cell phone or following too closely to stop in time.
However, not every rear-end crash is the fault of the driver in the rear. Brake checking is one common example of how the first driver’s recklessness can endanger everyone’s safety and contribute to a crash.
Protect Yourself From a Rear-End Crash in Dallas, TX
By keeping these common causes of rear-end collisions in mind, you can better protect yourself from getting into a rear-end crash in Dallas.
If a crash does happen, though, Texas follows at-fault insurance laws, which means that it can be hard to recover personal injury compensation if you’re deemed to be at fault for the crash. Every Dallas driver should be aware of the laws and their rights.
If you’re being held responsible for a rear-end collision that you think was the fault of another driver, a Dallas car accident lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and advise you on the best path going forward.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Help and Advice After a Crash
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and it can often be challenging to know what to do. Ultimately, you should almost always call 911 after a crash to maintain your legal rights and interests.
From there, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer to review your best course of action. Most attorneys in this area of the law offer free initial consultations so you can get some initial legal advice without hurting your pocketbook.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
