Rear-end collision

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Jeep Liberty undergoing rear-end crash testing at Chrysler's Proving Grounds
bonnet
can be seen deep under the rear of the lorry.
A severe rear-end collision that resulted in a burning wreckage along the North–South Expressway in Malaysia. All occupants escaped.

A rear-end collision, often called rear-ending or, in the UK, a shunt, occurs when a forward-moving

brake checking and reduced traction due to wet weather or worn pavement
.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for only 6% of fatal automobile collisions. However, they account for 28% of all

automobile accidents, making them one of the most frequent types of automobile accidents in the United States.[2]

Overview

Typical scenarios for rear-ends are a sudden

accelerate
more rapidly than the leading one (for example, leaving an intersection), resulting in a collision.

Generally, if two vehicles have similar physical structures, crashing into another car is equivalent to crashing into a rigid immovable surface (like a wall) at half of the closing speed. This means that rear-ending a stationary car while travelling at 50 km/h (30 mph) is equivalent, in terms of deceleration, to crashing into a wall at 25 km/h (15 mph). The same is true for the vehicle crashed into. However, if one of the vehicles is significantly more rigid (e.g. a small car hits the rear of a heavy truck) then the deceleration is more typically reflected by the full closing speed for the less rigid vehicle.

A typical medical consequence of rear-ends, even in collisions at moderate speed, is

minivans, benefiting little from the short rear crumple zone, are more likely to be injured or killed.[3]

For purposes of

NHTSA, the percentage of rear-end accidents in all crashes is 23–30%.[4]

The Ford Pinto received widespread concern when it was alleged that a design flaw could cause fuel-fed fires in rear-end collisions.[5]

Recent developments in automated safety systems have reduced the number of rear-end collisions.[6][7][4]

See also

A MINI Cooper S before and after a rear end impact

References

  1. ^ "Rear-end". Dictionary.com. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  2. ^ Ryan, Timothy. "Rear End Car Accident Statistics". Car Accident Case Law. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  3. ^ "7 delayed injury symptoms after a car crash - KTAR.com". Ktar.com. 31 August 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Auto Crashes". Iii.org. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  5. ^ * Schwartz, Gary T. (1990). "The Myth of the Ford Pinto Case" (PDF). Rutgers Law Review. 43: 1013–1068.
  6. ^ "Safety Advocates Frustrated that Accident-Prevention Technologies Remain Optional". Insurancejournal.com. 15 November 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  7. ^ "Watch A Tesla Model S Avoid A Crash Using Its Refined Safety Features". Carbuzz.com. 8 September 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
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