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Rush-hour traffic isn’t just extremely frustrating; it’s incredibly dangerous, as well. While you may think that a trip to your local collision repair shop is the extent of a fender-bender, you can suffer serious head, neck, and back injuries if you are rear-ended in traffic. To help keep you and your car safe, here are a few tips for minimizing the likelihood that you will be rear-ended by another vehicle.

damaged car

Always Signal Before Changing Lanes

The best way to avoid being rear-ended in traffic is to give the drivers behind you fair warning of your upcoming maneuvers. If you change lanes without signaling, you run the risk of being rear-ended by an unsuspecting driver. And what’s worse than having to take your car to a body shop for repairs is that you may be held responsible for the accident by not properly signaling.

Don’t Brake Abruptly

While everyone should adhere to the “three-second rule,” not every driver places adequate distance between themselves and the car in front of them. This means that you should always avoid sudden and abrupt braking when possible. If you are about to miss your exit, take the next off-ramp instead of slamming on your brakes and swerving across traffic. If you do hit your brakes suddenly, don’t be surprised if the car behind you crashes into your rear bumper.

Avoid Aggressive Drivers

Speaking of the “three-second rule,” if you notice aggressive drivers that are following too closely, safely pull into the lane next to you and let the driver pass. If an aggressive driver is following too closely and you have to brake for some reason, the result could be a high-speed rear-end collision. Accidents such as these typically require extensive collision repair work and may result in a number of painful injuries.

Even being the most precautious drivers in the world can’t guarantee you will avoid being rear-ended. If you are involved in an auto accident, Michael J’s Body Shop can repair your vehicle so you can get back on the road and back to your routine. We provide cutting-edge auto collision repair at our two state-of-the-art body shops in San Jose. Visit our website or call 408-279-2070 to learn more about our collision repair services.