rear-end collision
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rear-end collision
A traffic accident in which one vehicle drives into a vehicle in front of it that is moving or stationary.
Auf der Autobahn gab es einen langen Stau wegen eines Auffahrunfalls mit drei beteiligten Autos.
There was a long traffic jam on the highway because of a rear-end collision involving three cars.
The word is made up of the verb 'auffahren' (to drive into the back of something) and the noun 'Unfall' (accident). So it describes an accident that happens because one vehicle 'auffährt' (drives into the back) of another.
Der LKW-Fahrer hat das Stauende zu spät gesehen und ist auf das Auto aufgefahren.
The truck driver saw the end of the traffic jam too late and drove into the back of the car.
Common phrases are 'einen Auffahrunfall verursachen' (to cause a rear-end collision), 'in einen Auffahrunfall verwickelt sein' (to be involved in a rear-end collision), or the impersonal expression 'es kommt zu einem Auffahrunfall' (a rear-end collision occurs).
Durch die nasse Fahrbahn kam es zu einem Auffahrunfall.
The wet road surface caused a rear-end collision.
This word is used almost exclusively in the context of road traffic. Typical situations include traffic jams on the highway, sudden braking at a traffic light, or inattention in heavy traffic.
Ein kurzer Moment der Unachtsamkeit kann zu einem Auffahrunfall führen.
A brief moment of inattention can lead to a rear-end collision.
collision / clash
Zusammenstoß is the general term for a severe collision involving vehicles or other objects. Auffahrunfall is more specific: it occurs when one vehicle crashes into a vehicle in front of it that is moving or stationary. Auffahrunfall is therefore more precise for this particular direction of collision.
Vor der roten Ampel kam es zu einem Auffahrunfall zwischen zwei Autos.
There was a rear-end collision between two cars at the red light.
An der Kreuzung kam es zu einem Zusammenstoß zwischen zwei Autos.
Two cars collided at the intersection.
