A typical passenger car traveling at 60 mph covers approximately 88 feet per second. When braking occurs, it takes over 270 feet for a car to come to a complete stop in ideal conditions – dry pavement with good brakes and tires. According to Edmunds, the perception time, the reaction time, and the effective braking time is “132 feet before a car even begins slowing down from 60 mph.” If a car is following another too closely, known as tailgating, the risks for a rear end collision and injuries to all involved greatly increase.
Perception time is the three-quarters of a second it takes for you to realize that you need to brake. Reaction time is the three-quarters of a second it takes to move your foot to the brake pedal. When you combine perception and reaction time, a full 132 feet will pass before your car even begins to slow down from 60 mph.
Edumds, Keep Your (Braking) Distance: More Than Just Slowing Down, by Scott Memmer
The situation is made even more dangerous when a negligent driver is not only following too closely, but is also distracted on their phone, intoxicated, or driving too fast for the weather conditions, or is caught in heavy traffic.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Texting while driving, adjusting a GPS, engaging with other occupants in the car or other distracted behaviors can delay a driver’s reaction time. If a driver is already following too closely, an accident is much more difficult to avoid.
Not Making Allowances for Changing or Unsafe Conditions
Weather in Iowa is unpredictable during all months of the year. Roadways in the winter months can be obscured by white out conditions while surfaces are often slippery with ice. During the summer months, frequent storms can dump blinding rain on highways, flood roadways, and create overall hazardous conditions. Slowing down and increasing distances from other drivers is a must to avoid rear end accidents.
Chain Reaction Rear End Accidents in Heavy Traffic
Every year, chain reaction accidents are reported across the nation and in Iowa where tailgating drivers not only risk colliding with and injuring the motorists in front of them but also causing a pile up, or chain reaction accident that affects a number of drivers on the road. Keeping a safe distance can help motorists avoid deadly chain reaction accidents.
Rear End Car Accident Help
Not surprisingly, rear end accidents from tailgating often go hand in hand with other negligent driving behaviors including erratic lane changes, speeding, and cutting off drivers on the road, increasing the risk of car accidents for all drivers. When people are injured due to the actions of a reckless driver, compensation may include punitive damages in additions to compensatory damages such as medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to pursue the maximum compensation for you or a family member injured in an rear end accident.
For over thirty years Marc Humphrey has represented injured Iowans. For caring, personal service, call Iowa car accident attorney Marc Humphrey at 515-331-3510 or contact him online for your free consultation.
