Rear-end collisions are one of most frequent types of car accidents

When Kristen Stewart – the actress who plays Bella in the Twilight movies – was involved in a rear-end car collision in July, it immediately made the news. Stewart’s Mini Cooper was rear-ended by a female driver in Hollywood. The accident was minor and no one was hurt.

While an accident involving a Hollywood actress may be rare, rear-end crashes aren’t unusual. In fact, rear-end crashes are one the most frequently occurring types of car accidents.

If you or someone you love has been injured or a loved one has been killed in a rear-end car accident, contact the Missouri car accident attorneys at The S.E. Farris Law Firm. Call 314-A-LAWYER (314-252-9937) today for a free consultation.

NHTSA Rear-End Crash Data

Rear-end collisions, when the front of one vehicle collides with the rear of another car, are one of the most frequent types of auto accidents in the United States. Every year, these types of car accidents are responsible for a large number of injuries and deaths.

A 2003 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiled data from the year 2000 and made some startling discoveries:

  • 29.7 percent of all crashes were rear-end collisions;
  • Rear-end crashes were responsible for 30 percent of all auto accident-related injuries;
  • Rear-end collisions comprised 29.7% of the property damage.

Causes of Rear-End Crashes and Injuries in Rear-End Collisions

The same NHTSA report also revealed that young, male drivers were the most often involved in rear-end collisions. Male drivers under the age of 18 were most often involved in crashes. Male drivers age 18-24 were the second most likely group to be involved in a rear-end collision.

There are many factors that have been cited as causing or contributing to rear-end crashes including:

  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Tailgating
  • Distracted driving such as texting, talking on the telephone or using the radio

While young men are more likely to be involved in a rear-end collision, a study by a University of Sweden researcher found that women were three times more likely to suffer a debilitating neck injury like whiplash. The researcher found part of the explanation in seat adjustments and neck postures. Women drivers tend to sit higher and closer to the steering wheel and have the seat back more upright than men.

Neck injuries aren’t the only ones associated with rear-end crashes. Brain, spinal cord and jaw injuries occur. Herniated discs, vertebrae compression fractures, back sprains and hip fractures are also often seen in rear-end collisions.

St. Louis Rear-End Collision Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been injured or a loved one has been killed in a rear-end car accident, contact the Missouri auto accident lawyers at The S.E. Farris Law Firm. Call 314-A-LAWYER (314-252-9937) today for a free consultation.

At The S.E. Farris Law Firm, our practice is focused on the needs of injury victims. We guarantee our clients that our dedication is more than just a motto. At the end of your case we measure our success not by the amount of money we have recovered for you but by whether you would give our name to others as good lawyers to have on their side.