What’s a few more seconds worth?

Posted in Firm News, Motor Vehicle Accidents on July 16, 2019

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Have you ever noticed how hurried drivers are? Not you, but others…right?

Chances are, you know exactly how it is. You hit snooze too many times, grab your coffee and rush out the door, only to find I-5 at a standstill. You probably get upset about how nobody can drive or wonder why people are going so slowly. You might even try to give “hints” to the driver in front of you by following them closely, hoping they will pull over and let you get ahead. But is that really worth it?

Are you sure you can stop soon enough to avoid a collision?

You were probably taught to allow sufficient space between you and the driver in front of you, although many drivers seem to throw that concept out the window to gain a car length. However, considering the amount of time required to stop your vehicle, it would be in your best interest to back off.

The average vehicle traveling at 60 mph will cover 88 feet per second, but it will take you about 271 feet (and about five seconds) to stop. If you still question how important a couple of seconds are, consider the injuries you could sustain if the vehicle behind you is following too closely.

Three common injuries you may experience if you get rear-ended

Unfortunately, there is often no way to avoid getting rear-ended by another driver. If you believe someone is following your vehicle too closely, you may want to move over to try to avoid getting hit, since a rear-end collision may result in serious injuries, such as:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Spinal disc herniations
  • Paralysis

Not all injuries are immediately apparent, so you should seek medical attention if you are involved in a rear-end collision. And be sure to gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident.

If you sustain injuries related to a crash, you can explore your options for holding the irresponsible driver accountable. You shouldn’t have to suffer because someone else didn’t get up and get going on time. Visit our car accident lawyer page to learn more about how you can receive fair compensation.