Rubbernecking and Accidents

If you’re like most motorists, you’ve probably seen an accident on the side of the road, and like any curious person, you may have had your eyes off the road, veered your neck slightly, and stared at the accident as you kept driving. Hopefully, you maintained your eyes and attention to the road.

Unfortunately, however, some people do not remain alert and stray away too far, inevitably causing accidents to those around them. If this happen to you, you were an accident victim of what’s commonly referred to as rubbernecking, and if there’s one thing that you need to get out of this article, is that rubbernecking causes accidents. This article shall discuss rubbernecking, how it causes accidents, and what you need to do if you find yourself in an accident as a result of it.

What Is Rubbernecking

Rubbernecking is the act of staring at something of interest. The term rubbernecking refers to the physical act of craning one’s neck, performed in order to get a better view. Rubberneck has been described as a human trait that is associated with morbid curiosity.

In terms of driving with a motor vehicle, rubbernecking, or rubbernecking driving, then becomes the act of when the driver no longer pays attention to the area in front of them. The distracted driving focuses their attention to somewhere else other than what is in front of them, thereby making them more susceptible to causing a motor vehicle accident.

Rubbernecking Causes Accident

If you analyze rubbernecking statistics, roughly 1,000 people are injured in the United States daily by distracted driving due to some form of distracted driving, such as flashing lights, accident scene, eyes off the road, and most of all, cell phones. Rubbernecking is a major factor: researchers estimate rubbernecking alone causes 10 to 16 percent of all car accidents, mostly rear end collisions in traffic jams.

Is Rubbernecking Illegal?

Although rubbernecking is not illegal per se, it may be considered a negligent act if it results in an accident. Furthermore, if the accident causes someone to have a bodily injury, the person that was rubbernecking may be liable for that person’s injuries. Accordingly, you need to contact an accident attorney to discuss your case. An experienced accident attorney will be able to analyze your damages and your liability and inform you how good a case you have.

How Do I Prevent Rubbernecking?

Unfortunately, rubbernecking is just an accepted given while driving. People are going to naturally rubberneck whenever they see an accident or some obstacle. In order to safeguard against such activity when you, yourself, are on the road, you will have to be extra vigilant when driving.

Accordingly, you can practice safe driving whenever you suspect rubbernecking up ahead. For example, if you suspect that traffic has slowed due to an accident or what’s commonly called a gapers delay or traffic block, you should slow down yourself and be cautious that some of your fellow drivers may be rubbernecking on the side of the road and not paying attention themselves. Or, likewise, if you see the driver slowing with its rear lights, you should also slow down. The number one rule is to pay attention and never follow too close to the person in front of you. You need to be cautious and try to make sure that you are at least two car lengths away from any vehicle. Otherwise, if you follow too close, and the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly, it will be too late.

What Do I Do If I Am In An Accident Caused by Rubbernecking?

If you were involved in an accident due to someone else’s rubbernecking negligence, like any victim of negligence, you are entitled to pain and suffering and you need legal representation right away.

The Law Office of Yuriy Moshes has experienced car accident attorneys who are knowledgeable about vehicle accidents and how best to handle them. They practice throughout the New York City area including all its boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) as well as Northern New Jersey, Long Island, and Upstate New York.