Did You Know? - Even Minor Rear End Collisions Can Cause Damage
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of auto crashes every year in the U.S., representing roughly one-third of all accidents. And although over 1,700 drivers die and more than 500,000 are injured in front-to-rear crashes annually, most rear-end accidents happen at slower speeds and cause minor structural damage. Keep in mind, even when your vehicle gets dinged up just slightly it can cause hidden damage that may place your safety at risk later on.
What Causes Rear-End Car Collisions?
According to traffic safety experts, rear-end collisions in the U.S. happen over 2 million times per year. Furthermore, over 80% of those crashes could be avoided simply if the trailing driver had one extra second of warning time. These are the main causes of rear-end collisions:
Speeding
Traffic congestion
Distracted driving
Mechanical failure
Aggressive or reckless driving
Driving while fatigued
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
What You Can’t See Matters When It Comes to Car Damage
Although the cosmetic damage to your vehicle may seem negligible, the dirty little secret about rear-end collisions lies beneath the surface. When you’ve been involved in a minor front-to-rear accident, these are some of the hidden problems it could cause:
ELECTRICAL DAMAGE IN YOUR VEHICLE
Even a minor impact can loosen wires for your battery, brake lights, taillights or starter. In addition to the fact, a loose engine wire could leave you stranded, those disconnected brake lights will keep you from alerting drivers behind you that you’re stopping.
CAR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE
A rear-end collision not only affects your car’s body, but it can also harm mechanical parts. All-wheel-drive (AWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles have transmission components located near the rear that can get damaged even during a low-impact crash. If the transmission isn’t checked out immediately after an accident, your car could start shifting roughly, leaking transmission fluid or experience poor acceleration.
THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR IS DAMAGED?
A small impact to the back of your car can mess up the trunk’s locking mechanism and seal. Left unaddressed, you could have trouble opening the trunk, water could leak into the storage compartment, or the trunk lid may even pop open while you’re cruising down the highway.
CAR FRAME DAMAGE
Most bumpers are only painted plastic that doesn’t protect the metal components directly underneath. Even minor fender benders can slightly bend your car’s frame and lead to future safety problems, like an onboard driver warning system malfunction or weakened frame that doesn’t protect you during a subsequent collision.
CAR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS
Hitting a pothole can knock your car out of alignment, so what makes you think to sustain a front-to-rear impact won’t? If your ride starts pulling to one side of the road, vibrates strangely or there’s a shimmy in the steering wheel, your alignment may be off. A misaligned vehicle can cause premature wear and tear to your tires, brakes, suspension and other parts that result in poor handling issues.
How to Avoid Rear-End Car Crashes
The best ways to avoid rear-end collisions include:
Maintain a safe following distance based on weather conditions and speed.
Obey all posted speed limits, especially in construction zones.
Don’t drive while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or cold remedies.
Never text while driving.
Pullover and take a break if you’re feeling tired, or switch drivers.
Get your vehicle inspected by a mechanic several times a year.
Buy a vehicle with an accident-avoidance system.
YOUR RELIABLE SOLUTION FOR REAR-END CAR COLLISIONS
When your ride’s been involved in a minor rear-end collision, don’t just pocket the insurance check and gamble on your safety. Golden Hammer Collision's I-CAR and ASE-certified shop managers and technicians will give your car the “once over” to make sure it’s safe to drive.
Information provided by CarWise
References:
SafeBraking.com: NHTSA: 28% of Crashes Are Rear-End Collisions; 9/14/2012
News Release from the National Transportation Safety Board dated 6/18/2015: NTSB Calls for Immediate Action on Collision Avoidance Systems for Vehicles; Cites Slow Progress as Major Safety Issue
National Safety Commission report: The Road Can Be a Hazardous Place: Common Types of Traffic Accidents; 10/4/2013