What Are Secondary Car Accidents?

Driving on Texas highways can be a frustrating experience, and the risk of accidents is often high. Distracted driving, failure to follow rules of the road, and motorists attempting to slip through traffic can all lead to crashes and injuries. But beyond these “primary” accidents, secondary car accidents are also a concern.

What Is a Secondary Car Accident?

A secondary car accident is any accident that occurs because of another car accident. Many times, secondary car accidents happen because a driver becomes distracted by the sight of an accident and takes his or her eyes off the road, causing a collision with another vehicle.

Many circumstances lead to secondary accidents, such as:

• Vehicles stalled in the middle of a lane
• Drivers tailgating a vehicle, causing a pileup
• Debris from the primary accident littering the highway, including spilled cargo from trucks
• Sudden traffic stops

Pileup accidents via secondary car crashes are especially dangerous. The multiple collisions can cause additional damages and injury to vehicles and passengers already affected by one impact. When multiple vehicles start to congest a roadway, it can be difficult for emergency responders to get through to provide the necessary medical attention.

These chain-reaction incidents are also challenging for determining liability and fault for those seeking compensation.

Risks for Secondary Car Accidents

Secondary car accidents have many causes and can happen anywhere, but they are especially likely to occur in urban areas and places with dense traffic. If traffic is heavy and vehicles are close to each other during rush hour, one small secondary accident can easily cause a much larger chain-reaction collision.

Any primary accident that involves a commercial truck also creates a big risk for secondary accidents. The larger vehicle size means much more of the road may become obscured. When a truck is involved in a rollover accident, cargo may spill and further obstruct the roadway. Some cargo spills may involve hazardous materials, posing danger eve to drivers not involved in the accident.

Avoiding Secondary Car Accidents

A secondary car accident is every bit as dangerous as a primary accident. In the right traffic conditions, secondary incidents can create even more of a risk for a larger number of people than the initial collision. It is critical for drivers to understand what they can do to stay safe when driving past crash sites.

One of the most effective ways to prevent secondary car accidents is for all drivers to remain alert on the road. Motorists should be aware of an accident so they can navigate the crash area safely, but they not spend time focusing on the results of the crash. When they see signs of an accident ahead, such as flashing lights, drivers should slow down and move over as appropriate.

Eliminating distractions while driving overall allows motorists to be more aware of their surroundings. This makes it easier to make sure they are leaving enough space between them and the vehicles in front of them, plus noticing any changing road conditions to react in a timely manner. Drivers should not suddenly swerve or make any other erratic movements, unless it is necessary to avoid a collision.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a secondary crash on Houston roads, contact the personal injury attorneys of Gordon, Elias, & Seely LLP. We understand how stressful being in a car accident can be and want to make your claim process as easy as possible. Contact us for a free consultation.