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Avoiding Rear End Collisions

Most rear-end collisions are caused by tailgating, or following too closely to the car in front of you. To make sure that you have enough space between your car and the car in front of you, make sure you are at least 3 seconds behind them. The way to do this, when a car in front of your passes a fixed point, start counting. If you pass that fixed object before you get to "3," you are following too closely, which can lead to a rear-end collision.

Allow a larger cushion when a car is tailgating you, when driving on slipper roads, when you are towing something (the extra weight makes it harder to slow), or when large vehicles in front of you are blocking your view.

Pete Clancy is an Oakland personal injury attorney. He was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.