Rear-End Accident
The Insurance Information Institute reported that rear end collisions were the cause of 7.2 percent of fatal crashes in 2017. Even more rear-end collisions result in severe injury and property damage that can leave the victim struggling to recover for months or even years afterwards. If you or a loved one has been involved in a rear-end collision, you have the right to seek financial compensation from the liable party who failed to stop in time. A qualified attorney can assist you in proving liability, collecting documentation of the damages, submitting a claim, and negotiating for the best compensation possible.
What Causes a Rear-End Collision?
- Aggressive drivers – One way aggressive drivers attempt to show power on the road is by tailgating the driver they feel is in their way. Tailgating reduces the driver’s ability to reaction and stop before hitting the vehicle in front of them.
- Distracted drivers – Drivers can be distracted by other people talking in the car, by their phones, by a navigation system, or even by thoughts in their head. Once distracted, it takes a driver longer to recognize brake lights ahead and hit the brake pedal themselves.
- Speeding drivers – According to the Aceable, the total stopping distance for a car going 40 mph is approximately 120 feet while the total stopping distance for a vehicle traveling 20 mph is approximately 40 feet. A driver who is speeding will take more distance on the road to come to a complete stop, but often they end up rear-ending the vehicle in front of them instead because there isn’t enough room.
- Parking Lot Accidents – Many rear-end collisions happen when cars are in close proximity to one another. Often these crashes are at slow speeds and do not result in injury, but even slow speed crashes can cause injury under certain conditions.
Rear-End Collision Injuries
When a driver hits your vehicle from behind, the force propels your car forward and can cause the head to snap back. As a result, the following injuries are common after a rear-end crash:
- Whiplash;
- Concussion;
- Herniated disc;
- Broken bones;
- Neck injuries;
- Traumatic brain injury; and
- More.
What You Can Be Compensated For
When a person is injured in a traffic accident, the financial toll can go much further than just the cost of an ambulance ride and hospital stay. Other costs that a victim can seek compensation for include:
- All medical bills for treatment to recover;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability or disfigurement; and
- Property damage.
Call The Attorneys at the Office of Mark H. Wright, PLLC If You Have Been Rear-Ended
Typically it is clear who the liable party is when a rear-end collision occurs. However, the insurance claims can still be complex depending on what insurance policies are involved and how severe the injuries and damages were. The best course of action to take after you have been hit from behind by another driver is to seek legal guidance from the attorneys at the office of Mark H. Wright, PLLC. Call us today at 813-425-2020 to schedule your free consultation.
