A car accident in Mississippi isn’t just bad for the drivers involved–it can lead to more accidents if other drivers aren’t careful. Most people have the urge to slow down and look at the accident while they pass. Unfortunately, this puts themselves and other people on the road at risk.
Is rubbernecking dangerous?
Slowing down to look at a car accident is known as “rubbernecking.” Due to natural curiosity, most people rubberneck without thinking about it. Some people even get out their smartphones so they can take photos or videos of the motor vehicle accident.
Looking at the accident might be tempting, but it also increases your chance of getting into a wreck. In fact, studies have shown that rubbernecking might cause 16% of car accidents in the United States. Likewise, if someone slows down in front of you, they might cause an accident that requires another call to emergency services.
Whenever you see a car wreck, try to avoid rubbernecking as much as possible. However, you might still want to slow down and watch for other people who might be distracted on the road. If possible, try to get in another lane on the highway until you pass the accident. You might be aware of your surroundings, but other drivers might be less cautious.
What happens if you get into an accident?
If another driver hits your vehicle because they were looking at a car accident, that driver is still at fault regardless of external circumstances. You might want to talk to an attorney about getting compensation for the crash. Even a minor fender-bender could cost hundreds of dollars when you get your car repaired. Worse yet, any injuries that you sustain could cause thousands of dollars in medical bills even if you have insurance. That’s why you might need compensation from the other driver.