Rear-end Collision Lawyers

COMMON CAUSES OF REAR-END ACCIDENTS

Rear end collisions typically adhere to a pattern of common causes. Listed below are some of the leading causes of rear-end collisions:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the primary causes of rear-end collisions. Drunk driving, texting, eating, fidgeting with the entertainment system, and other similar activities all fall into the category of distracted driving.

Tailgating

Tailgating occurs when one car follows another car too closely. Following another car too closely increases the chances of rear-ending the other vehicle. It is the responsibility of the vehicle behind you to ensure they leave enough space to avoid an accident. A rule of thumb is to leave one car-length of space between you and the other car for every 10 miles per hour you are traveling (e.g., two car-lengths if traveling at 20 miles per hour; five car-lengths if traveling at 50 miles per hour; etc.).

Speeding

Driving at too high of a rate of speed means less time to react to the actions of traffic ahead of you. This can happen on any given road.

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Wet, slick roads also cause rear-end collisions. These dangerous conditions can prevent a driver from decelerating or stopping their car in time to avoid a rear-end collision. In these situations, a driver should pay extra attention to the road and give themselves plenty of space and time to decelerate the vehicle.

Mechanical Failure

A driver who stays alert and follows every rule of the road is also susceptible to a rear-end accident. Sometimes, mechanical failures with the vehicle itself cause rear-end collisions. For instance, faulty brakes may lead to a car crash. In these cases, the manufacturer of the parts may be held liable for the accident.

COMMON INJURIES

Even a seemingly minor collision can lead to multiple rear-ended injuries and pain after an accident. Common injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash, which involves the sudden jerking of the head and neck, is perhaps the most complained of injury following a rear-end collision. When a vehicle is hit from behind, the momentum of the cars forces the passengers of the front car to jerk back and forth rapidly.

Back Injuries

Even slow-speed rear-end accidents can cause back injuries. Another important thing to remember is that back pain may lay dormant for some time following a rear-end accident. This means that back pain may not set in until hours or days after a rear-end collision.

Head/Neck/Brain Injuries

Aside from whiplash, rear-end collisions can also lead to other forms of head, neck, and brain injuries. For instance, the sudden impact between cars may cause the driver of the front vehicle to bang their head against the interior of the vehicle. These types of injuries should always be taken seriously and promptly addressed.

Seatbelt Injuries

Seatbelts have been another source of injury in rear-end collisions. When a car strikes another from behind, a mechanism in the seatbelt causes the strap to tighten. Although this mechanism is intended to keep a driver’s body in place, it can also lead to injury in the form of rashes, cuts, and lacerations. The likelihood and severity of these types of injuries increase with the speed and force of the rear-end collision.

Passenger Injuries

You don’t have to be the driver in an accident to seek compensation. Passengers in an accident may be able to make a claim if they are injured. For example, an Uber driver is rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver is not injured but you are – in this case, you may be able to seek compensation from the vehicle that hit your Uber.

CAN I SUE FOR WHIPLASH?

As discussed above, whiplash injuries occur after the abrupt back-and-forth flexion of the neck. Whiplash injuries are relatively common in car accidents, especially rear-end collisions. Whether or not you can sue for a whiplash injury depends on whether you or another person was at fault for the accident. If another person was at fault for the accident, you might be able to seek compensation for your injuries. An attorney will be able to determine your legal position and whether you have a viable claim or not.

HOW TO FILE A CLAIM

Understanding what to do in the event of a rear-end collision and how the claim process works can go a long way in resolving your claim. Familiarizing yourself with how to file an injury claim can help you learn what to expect, thereby alleviating some stress and frustration. Here are several important steps that comprise the claim filing process.

1. Call a Car Accident Lawyer

Contacting a car accident lawyer after being rear-ended by another vehicle is the crucial first step toward filing and resolving a claim. A lawyer will be able to listen to the facts of your case and provide you with your legal alternatives moving forward. They will also communicate with insurance companies and insurance claim adjusters.

In doing so, the attorney will make sure that these insurance companies don’t take advantage of your inexperience by offering you a settlement amount that is substantially less than the value of your claim.

2. Investigation

Your attorney will begin a thorough investigation process into the details and circumstances surrounding your claim. They will gather essential documents such as police reports, eyewitness statements, and medical records. The attorney may also contact expert witnesses such as doctors, chiropractors, or automobile specialists. The purpose of this investigation is to build the most persuasive case possible to increase your chances of receiving fair and just compensation for your damages and injuries.

3. Case Settlement

The final component of the claim process involves settling the claim. This stage involves negotiating the value of your claim with an insurance company and the company’s claim adjuster. Although insurance companies are notorious for finding ways to minimize the value of your claim, having a well-prepared and experienced car accident attorney on your side can protect you throughout this settlement process.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SETTLE A REAR-END COLLISION CLAIM?

Although it is impossible to give a precise timeframe as to how long a settlement process may last, several important factors can affect the pace at which a settlement is reached. Those factors include the types of injuries involved, cooperation with and by the insurance companies involved, and whether legal proceedings are in place. As a rule of thumb, cases that involve critical or life-changing injuries, or a potentially high settlement value will take longer to settle than relatively straight-forward cases.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE REAR-ENDED CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT?

The average settlement for a rear end collision can vary significantly from case to case. A settlement amount depends on a combination of many important factors including the type of injuries sustained, medical bills incurred, property damage, missed time from work, age, driving history, and emotional trauma, amongst others. As a rule of thumb, the more extensive your injuries and property damage, the higher the possible settlement amount.

DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES

After being involved in a rear-end collision, you may have to file a claim with an insurance company to receive compensation. It is important to realize that your communications with an insurance company throughout the claim filing and claim settlement process could end up affecting the overall value of your claim.

After you file a claim, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case. The adjuster’s job is to investigate the facts and circumstances regarding the accident. Part of this investigation may require you to provide the adjuster with a statement reflecting your account of the accident. When giving this statement, it is essential to relay the facts as you best remember them and to refrain from admitting any fault for the accident.

Once the adjuster concludes the investigation, the adjuster will rely on programs and formulas utilized by the insurance company to produce monetary values that are supposed to correspond to your injuries and damages. However, because these programs often fail to take into consideration important factors such as stress, emotional trauma, and the inability to participate in activities that you used to enjoy, the monetary values are frequently less than the actual value of your claim. As a result, the initial settlement offer proposed by the insurance company may be less than what you are entitled to receive.

In this scenario, it may be wise to consult with an experienced car accident attorney to ensure that you are seeking the maximum compensation you deserve.

Recommended Reading:

How to Negotiate a Car Accident Claim with Travelers Insurance

What to Expect in a Car Accident Settlement with State Farm Insurance

How Does Liberty Mutual Insurance Handle Car Accident Claims?

COMPENSATION

Compensation can be split into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages reflect expenses that can be quantified regarding your injuries. Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses (present and future bills; rehab; medications; medical devices; etc.)
• Lost income (salary lost while out of work; diminished earning capacity)
• Property damage (vehicle; personal property damages in the collision)

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible losses. Although harder to quantify, non-economic damages can be more valuable than economic damages.

Types of non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

It is important to keep in mind, however, that the compensation, which you may be eligible to receive after being rear-ended, may be reduced if it can be shown that you were acting carelessly or negligently when the collision occurred.

This system of “comparative fault” or “comparative negligence” means that a percentage of responsibility is placed on each party for their respective roles in an accident.

Common examples of acts that may lead to a reduction in compensation due to comparative negligence include driving with broken taillights, failing to use a turn signal, and suddenly braking for no reason.

OUR REAR-END COLLISION LAWYERS CAN HELP

Zinda Law Group works with professionals in the field of accident investigation, as well as law enforcement, and witnesses to collect evidence to help prove that the guilty party indeed was at fault. We will use that information to seek fair compensation on your behalf for the injuries and emotional suffering you have had to endure.

Our goal is to protect your rights, to help you, and to help you seek the compensation you deserve. To get started with your rear-end accident claim, call Zinda Law Group today at (888) 659-9392 for a 100% free consultation with our No Win, No Fee guarantee.