Rear-End Collision Car Accident Lawyers

Picture sitting at a red light. Suddenly, a distracted driver rear-ends your vehicle at 25 MPH. The violent collision severely injures you and your spouse, including back and neck injuries.

Unfortunately, rear-end collisions are all too common across the country. Whether the cause is inattention, speeding, poor weather, or another reason, a rear-end crash can cause devastating or fatal injuries.

If you were rear-ended and injured, our rear-end collision car accident lawyers at Nix Patterson will help you today. We are skilled and experienced in helping car accident victims receive maximum compensation for their injuries, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and property damage.

What Is a Rear-End Collision?

A rear-end collision happens when one vehicle hits another from behind. Rear-end crashes are among the most common auto accidents in the US; approximately ⅓ of all motor vehicle accidents involve rear-end collisions.

These accidents can range from a minor fender bender with minimal damages and injuries to a significant crash with severe or fatal injuries. Usually, the rear driver is at fault for the accident, but it depends on the details of the accident. Your Nix Patterson car accident attorney will review the accident details to determine who may be liable.

What Types of Injuries Occur in Rear-End Collisions?

When there is a rear-end crash, specific injuries occur more often than others. They are:

• Whiplash. This is a common rear-end crash injury because the head may whip back and forth during the collision. This violent movement can damage the delicate neck tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues.
• Soft tissue injuries. Rear-end crashes often cause many soft tissue injuries, such as strains and sprains. These injuries can damage tendons, muscles, and ligaments in various parts of the body.
• Back injuries. A rear-end crash can severely strain the back, potentially causing herniated discs and spinal fractures. Back injuries can be excruciating and require months or years of treatment and recovery.
• Head injuries. Depending on the severity of the crash, you could suffer a head injury ranging from a concussion to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Facial injuries. You could strike your face on the airbag or steering wheel, causing cuts, dental injuries, and facial fractures.
• Broken bones. Rear-end collisions often cause bone fractures in the ribs, arms, legs, or hips. These fractures can be severe and may require multiple surgeries to repair.

Causes of Rear-End Collisions in Car Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving is the most frequent reason for rear-end crashes. Also, following another vehicle too closely often causes these severe accidents. Other related causes of rear-end collisions are:

• Disobeying stop signs or traffic signals
• Intoxication
• Tailgating
• Speeding
• Fatigue
• Poor judgment
• Slow reaction time
• Driver inexperience
• Improper turns

In some cases, the front driver could also be found at fault or partially at fault for a rear-end collision. Potential scenarios where the front driver could be faulted are:

• The front driver cuts off someone and causes the rear car to hit them from behind
• The front driver doesn’t use his turn signal, leading to a rear-end crash
• The front driver hits their brakes suddenly because the rear driver is tailgating, causing a rear-end accident

The lead driver could be found entirely or partially at fault in these scenarios. But because all accidents are unique, you should have a rear-end collision attorney review your case.

Reasons Why a Person May Not Be at Fault in a Rear-End Collision

As stated on this page, many rear-end crashes are caused by the rear driver, but not always. In many states, one driver or both drivers could be faulted for a rear-end collision. All states require drivers to maintain a reasonable distance to stay safe while driving, and it is possible that the lead driver’s negligence could also be a factor in the accident.

If you have been in a rear-end crash and have injuries, it’s vital to have a car accident attorney review the evidence immediately. Even if the rear driver seemed to cause the accident, their insurance company may contest the claim. You will need an excellent attorney to prove the accident was their fault so you can receive the most compensation in a settlement or lawsuit.

How Do You Determine Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Collision?

Many rear-end collisions are the fault of the rear driver. Rear-end crashes often happen because of driver distraction, speeding, stopped traffic ahead, or adverse weather. The rear driver has a responsibility to stop safely when traffic slows ahead. The rear driver is also expected to maintain a safe following distance and drive safely at all times. 

However, there are other reasons rear-end crashes happen, and it is possible another driver could be at fault. For example, if the driver in front slams on their brakes for no reason and is rear-ended, they could be liable. Another common scenario is the front vehicle’s brake lights aren’t working, which could be partially to blame for the rear-end collision.

Potential Compensation in a Rear-End Collision Claim

If you were injured in a rear-end collision and the other driver is liable, you could receive compensation in a personal injury claim. If settlement negotiations break down, your attorney could file a personal injury lawsuit and take the matter to court. Some damages you could be entitled to are:

• Past and future medical bills for your injuries
• Lost earnings and lost inability to earn a living
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish

Rear-end accident settlements vary widely based on the accident details and injuries. Some minor rear-end crashes could be worth between a few thousand and $20,000. However, the payout could be much higher when serious injuries require hospitalization, surgeries, and a long recovery. Other factors that could affect the size of your car accident settlement are:

• How severe the accident and the vehicle damage
• Whether the injuries have long-term or permanent effects
• Whether you share fault for the accident
• Whether you had your seat belt on
• How the injuries affect your ability to work
• How the injuries affect your family
• Whether you are permanently disabled

Also, auto insurance policy limits can come into play; you could have $50,000 in medical bills, but the at-fault driver’s policy only pays up to $25,000. In that case, you may file a lawsuit against the driver to recover the rest. But if the other driver does not have significant assets, it may not be worth the time and cost.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will probably offer a low rear-end crash settlement at first. It is rarely wise to accept the insurance company’s initial offer. Most auto insurers offer far less than what the claim is worth at first. Also, you probably don’t know the full extent of your injuries in the early days after the accident. Your car accident attorney will advise you to wait until your doctor says you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) before entering into serious settlement discussions.

File Your Rear-End Crash Lawsuit Quickly

If you decide to file a rear-end accident lawsuit, it is critical to do so before your state’s statute of limitations expires. All states have a limited time in which you can file a personal injury lawsuit. The time limit exists so potential defendants are not blindsided by a lawsuit many years after it happened when evidence may have disappeared and memories faded. Most states have a statute of limitations between two to four years from the date of injury, so give your rear-end accident attorney plenty of time to investigate your case.

Nix Pattersons’ Rear-End Collision Lawyers Can Help You

Any time another driver rear-ends your vehicle, it is a dangerous situation that could lead to severe, life-changing injuries. Don’t try to negotiate with the insurance company on your own.

A Nix Patterson rear-end collision car accident lawyer can get you the best settlement or verdict results. Remember, you owe us nothing unless we recover money for you. Contact our rear-end collision car accident lawyers now for a free consultation about your case.