Rear-End Collision at Stop Light Kills 3

According to KXXV, a rear-end collision that occurred at around 3 a.m. on a Sunday earlier this month resulted in three fatalities. The crash happened at the intersection of West Jasper Drive and South Fort Hood Street in Killeen.

Police determined that a northbound Nissan Altima traveling in the outside lane was stopped at a red light when a KIA Forte rear-ended it. In the preliminary investigation, authorities found that the driver of the KIA did not attempt to decelerate or take any evasive action prior to the collision.

Both the driver of the Nissan and the passenger riding inside died at the scene. Responders transported the motorist who had been driving the KIA via helicopter to a local hospital, where he later died. The underlying cause of the collision remains under investigation.

If you sustained debilitating injuries in a rear-end collision with a drunk or distracted driver, contact the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost income, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with an accident lawyer in Van Zandt.

What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?

Although rear-end collisions often occur at lower speeds, they can still cause devastating injuries and even multiple fatalities, as the case above illustrates. Fortunately, these kinds of accidents are usually preventable, which means motorists everywhere can reduce their prevalence simply by following the rules of the road. Some of the most common causes of rear-end collisions include:

• Tailgating;
• Reckless or especially aggressive driving;
• Drunk, drowsy, or distracted driving; and
• Speeding.

In today’s world, speeding and texting while driving are perhaps two of the biggest culprits when it comes to rear-end collisions. Motorists have an obligation to keep their eyes on the road ahead and travel at a speed that is safe for the current conditions so they can respond to hazards that arise.

For those who make it a point to speed in stop-and-go traffic, for example, a rear-end collision is essentially inevitable. At some point, the driver will be unable to decelerate fast enough and will collide with the vehicle ahead of him or her.

Those who text and drive regularly are also likely to cause a rear-end collision at some point. Texting is one of the most dangerous driving distractions because it requires your concentration to respond, your hands to type, and your vision to read. Sadly, this does not stop 75 percent of motorists who own cellphones and know the dangers of texting and driving from doing so.

If you were hurt in a rear-end collision because the motorist behind you was texting, you have the right to hold him or her financially accountable. Proving distracted driving poses certain challenges, though, which is why you should consider seeking legal guidance.

A Van Zandt accident attorney from the Cooper Law Firm can evaluate the details of the accident and gather evidence on your behalf to build a strong claim. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation. If you want to learn more about car accident claims in Texas, visit usattorneys.com/car-accident/texas.