Law firms who have achieved over $100 million in case results
Many $20 million dollar jury verdicts
Law firms awarded Best Law Firm in 2022 by US News and World Report
Have you been injured or suffered property damage to your vehicle in a rear-end collision? Filing a personal injury claim can help you gain compensation to pay for your medical bills and other costs incurred from the accident. At LegalFinders, you will be connected to top rear end accident attorneys near you, who can help you start the claims process. The attorneys we work with know you should not have to pay for medical expenses for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Let us help you pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track. You can get started with a free consultation today.
Rear-end accidents can lead to a range of injuries for accident victims, from whiplash and broken bones to spinal cord injuries and even fatalities. These collisions may even lead to three-car accidents or multiple-vehicle pileups, which can cause even greater damage and numerous injuries to car accident victims.
Anyone who is injured in a rear-end collision may be able to seek recourse by starting a personal injury case. These cases allow accident victims to pursue compensation from the negligent party (the driver who caused the accident). In many cases, this is the driver of the rear vehicle, who slams into your vehicle, causing the car crash.
However, if more than two vehicles are involved, the vehicle behind you may not be at fault. Determining fault helps you identify the liable party — that is, the person or party that can be held responsible for your injuries and paying for costs related to said injuries.
Unfortunately, fault is not always straightforward. This is why it helps to work with a rear-end collision lawyer, who can examine details of the collision to help determine the liable party or parties.
Once you determine who is at fault, you’ll know who to bring your claim against. When you’re ready, an experienced lawyer can help you file your car accident claim within the deadline and through the proper legal channels.
As with many types of car accidents, rear-end collisions may occur due to a number of reasons. Perhaps the most common cause of rear-end accidents is tailgating, which occurs when the rear driver is too closely following the front driver.
In fact, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 81% of all rear-end car crashes occur when the front vehicle is stopped — indicating that the rear vehicle was traveling too closely to the front vehicle. Other causes of rear-end collisions include:
Like other auto accidents, rear-end car accidents can occur anywhere that two or more motor vehicles are traveling in a row. But are there some areas where rear-end collisions are more likely? These collisions tend to occur on highways and freeways, simply because this is where drivers are most likely to travel at high speeds and have unexpected stops, such as from a traffic jam due to construction on a freeway.
This does not mean interstates are the only places where rear-end collisions occur. However, when rear-end collisions occur at high speeds, they can lead to serious injuries, or even fatalities for the accident victims. This is especially true if the rear driver is in a larger vehicle, such as a semi-truck, and the front driver is in a smaller vehicle, like a passenger vehicle.
A range of injuries may result from rear-end collisions. The type and severity of rear end collision injuries are often directly related to how fast the rear motorist was traveling when their vehicle hit the front vehicle, as well as whether the victim was wearing their seat belt.
For example, a crash at low speed that results in a rear-end collision but doesn’t cause your airbag to deploy may not lead to catastrophic injuries, but may cause something more minor, such as whiplash or hitting your head on the steering wheel.
High-speed rear-end collisions or pileup rear-end car accidents with compounding force can lead to more serious injuries. Common injuries that may result from rear-end accidents include:
Even if you didn’t experience a serious injury, it’s important to seek medical attention. You may not have signs of an injury yet, due to the shock of the crash. If you decide to file an injury claim later, having medical records on file is important, as this will help your lawyer prove that the injuries were caused by the crash and not another event.
Note that in most states, you can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for medical costs even if your injuries were minor. You should not have to pay for injuries caused by someone else. Reach out to LegalFinders to get in touch with a rear-end accident lawyer now.
In the United States, rear-end car accidents accounted for 2,346 fatal accidents in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. This was 7.1% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents that year. Other facts regarding rear-end collisions in the U.S. include:
Rear-end accidents
1.7 million
on U.S. roadways every year
Rear-end fatalities
1,700
and another 500,000 being injured
Rear-end accidents
occur mostly during the day
and most commonly because the following driver did not realize the lead driver was stopped
Male drivers
ages 25-34
most likely to be involved in rear-end car accidents
Driver distraction
number 1 leading cause
for rear-end collisions
First and foremost, you should always seek medical care following any type of car accident. This is true even if you don’t feel injured at first. Sometimes, adrenaline from the shock of the collision can mask pain or injuries. Other injuries may be internal, like soft tissue damage or damage to organs.
Once you have secured emergency medical attention for yourself or anyone else who is injured, it’s important to report the collision to local authorities. Most states require you to report any car crashes that result in injuries or property damage. Police reports may serve as crucial evidence in car accident cases.
After these steps are completed, you should take photos of the accident scene, including any vehicle damage, the roadway where it occurred (if possible), and more. If there are any witnesses, it may be helpful to take down their contact information in case you or your lawyer need it for your case.
Finally, you may want to contact a rear-end collision attorney with a reputable law firm. If possible, try to find an attorney with specific experience in rear-end collision cases, as this helps ensure you have someone with a targeted skill set working on your case.
The lawyer will take over the case for you after a thorough case review. They can help you contact your insurance company, explain how long you have to file your claim (a deadline known as the statute of limitations) and more.
They can help you identify the at fault party and determine what damages to claim. If your case ends up in court, they can guide you and help you understand the possible verdicts. In short, your lawyer will be your legal guide for your case from start to finish.
It’s not necessary to file a personal injury claim after a rear end collision. However, if you don’t want to be saddled with medical bills from injuries you didn’t cause, it may be in your best interest to file a claim.
While not everyone will feel beginning a legal claim is the right step for them, it is the surest way to receive compensation for costs you shouldn’t have to pay — like injuries you suffered in an accident that wasn’t your fault.
When you’re ready to begin, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss whether you should file a personal injury claim or begin a personal injury lawsuit against the at fault party. The lawyer can explain the difference, as well as your legal rights as a car accident victim.
Still have questions regarding rear-end accidents and related personal injury cases? Browse answers to common questions in the list below.
After a rear-end collision, you need to work with the most qualified, highly esteemed lawyers available to help secure compensation for your injuries. At LegalFinders, we have you covered. We offer access to law offices with personal injury attorneys who have years of experience they can put to good use on your case. When you or your loved one are ready, call our helpline for your free consultation to get started.
