Rear-End Accident Attorneys
Rear-end automobile collisions are the most common kind of vehicle accidents, accounting for one-third of all collisions involving moving vehicles. In 2015 there were more than 2.1 million rear-end crashes in the United States, and while only about 7 percent of those rear-end collisions resulted in a fatality, nearly a third of them caused injury to a driver or passenger—more than 556,000 individuals.
Injuries from Rear-End Car Accidents
Whether you experienced a relatively minor fender bender or a high-speed rear impact collision, you may suffer injuries that can cause long-term pain, suffering, disability, or loss of mobility. Common injuries from these kinds of accidents include:
- Soft tissue damage (strains, sprains, and bruising)
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Headaches
- Disk herniation
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Vision or hearing impairment
It’s common to feel “fine” and not experience pain or other symptoms immediately following an accident. The immediate rush of adrenaline and confusion can disguise what may be serious underlying issues. Because of this, you should always seek medical attention relatively soon after an accident; if you do not need emergency care, make an appointment with your primary care provider. In the days or weeks following a collision, you may start to experience symptoms like aches, pain, nausea, or dizziness. These and other unusual or uncomfortable symptoms can indicate injuries that may not have been immediately apparent.
Liability in Rear-End Auto Accident Claims
In a claim arising out of an automobile accident, you must prove another party was liable, or “at fault,” for a collision. In rear-end car accidents, the tailing vehicle is often legally at fault; this may be because the driver was following too closely for conditions, failed to control the vehicle properly, made an error such as stepping on the accelerator rather than the brake, or otherwise failed to use the appropriate care required to prevent a collision.
However, in certain circumstances, other parties to a rear-end collision may be additionally or completely liable. A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or part may be liable where a driver was following at a safe speed and distance and experienced a failure of the braking or steering system, leading directly to the collision. A tailing driver may be hit from behind with such significant force that his or her vehicle is propelled into the forward vehicle, which may make the operator of the striking vehicle liable in whole or in part. A forward car may reverse into a driver. A slowing vehicle may be liable where it has inoperable brake lights or stops suddenly without justification.
Why Contact an Attorney for a Rear-End Auto Accident?
If you are injured in a rear-end auto accident, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the party or parties responsible for your injuries. An attorney can help you understand the process of submitting insurance claims, ensure that you have access to the treatment resources you need for your recovery, and explore all the options available to recover compensation for your damages from all responsible parties.
The skilled attorneys at Obral Silk & Associates, LLC have more than 60 years of combined legal experience. Contact us to put that experience to work for you.
