Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car crashes. Although your auto insurance carrier should pay for the damages, there is always a possibility of lingering health effects like whiplash. Use the following strategies to protect yourself from these collisions.
Keep an eye on the traffic ahead of you.
Sudden braking is one of the causes of rear-end collisions. Stay alert to cars braking ahead of you. This will give you enough time to slow down your own car instead of having to brake abruptly, which will subsequently reduce your risk of being struck by the car behind you.
Use your mirrors frequently.
Many drivers don’t check their mirrors as often as they should. Ideally, you should be scanning your mirrors every five to eight seconds, especially in areas with heavy traffic. Additionally, keep a close eye on your mirrors when you’re slowing down or stopping. You’ll need to make sure that the car following you is also slowing down.
Look for escape routes.
If the car behind you isn’t slowing down, you’ll need an escape route you can use to avoid being hit. And when coming to a stop at a red light, you should leave plenty of room between your car and the car ahead of you. This gives you some maneuvering room in case the following car doesn’t stop in time.
Get a friend to help you check your lights.
No matter how cautiously you slow down before you stop, it won’t do you much good if the driver behind your car doesn’t see your brake lights. You should check your brake lights frequently, and replace the bulbs immediately if they go out. Get a friend to stand behind your car and check the lights while you brake.
If your car is struck in the Tucson area or throughout Arizona, you can count on Barnett’s Towing to get you to safety. We offer fast, professional 24-hour towing services for all types of vehicles. Save our number in your cellphone’s contact list: (800) 722-2302.
