​Rear-end accidents are common types of accidents across the country. Because these accidents are so common, it is essential to know how liability is determined and what causes rear-end collisions so that you can protect yourself while traveling on roads throughout the country.

If you have been in a rear-end accident, call an accident attorney in your area. Accident attorneys help victims get the money they need to fully recover from a rear-end collision and get their lives back on track. Contact a car accident lawyer in your area immediately after suffering an injury in a traffic accident.

To learn more about rear-end collisions, the causes of this type of accident, and how to receive the compensation you deserve after a rear-end collision, continue reading.

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What Is a Rear-End Accident?

A rear-end accident happens when one car’s front end crashes into another car’s back end. There are many causes of rear-end accidents, and the effects of rear-end collisions can be devastating and tragic.

Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Most accidents happen due to negligence. Every time we use the roads, we risk getting into an accident. All drivers must ensure that they operate their vehicles safely to avoid accidents. However, there are circumstances when accidents are unavoidable, and the cause of those accidents is typically negligence.

Common causes of rear-end accidents include:

• Erratic lane changes
• Tailgating/ following too closely
• Speeding
• Running a red light
• Congested traffic/ bumper-to-bumper traffic
• Distracted driving (including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol)
• Fatigued driving

How Can You Establish Fault for a Rear-End Collision?

Like every accident case, the victim must prove that the other driver is responsible for their injuries and property damage. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, rear-end accidents account for about 29 percent of all accidents that cause severe or fatal injuries. Every driver must operate their vehicle safely, and when they fail, the driver is negligent. The negligent driver is responsible for paying for any damages sustained by the other driver. In rear-end accidents, the driver that hits the car in front of them is usually at fault. However, there are some circumstances when the driver that gets hit is negligent.

Examples of those circumstances include:

• The car in front has a mechanical issue that causes it to stall in the middle of the road.
• The driver of the front car suddenly steps on their brakes.
• The front car has a broken taillight.

What Drivers are Most Likely to Get Into a Rear-End Collision?

Anyone can get into a rear-end accident. However, some demographics are more likely to get into a rear-end collision than others. For example, teenagers are inexperienced drivers, and because of their lack of experience, they may get into more accidents. As teenage drivers get more experience on the road, the odds of them causing or being involved in a rear-end collision decrease.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, male drivers tend to get into more rear-end accidents than female drivers. Rear-end collisions also typically happen at intersections or in areas with congested traffic.

If you or a family member were involved in a rear-end collision and suffered injuries, contact a rear-end collision attorney in your area. There is no need to go it alone after a car accident. Contact an accident attorney in your area to learn more about how to protect your legal rights after an accident.

What Should I Do After a Rear-End Collision?

After a car accident, you need to take the right next steps. If you or a family member suffered an injury in a rear-end collision, you should see a doctor and contact a car accident attorney.

Always see a doctor after a rear-end collision. The crash may cause injuries you cannot see unless you have an evaluation by a medical team, like internal bleeding or a concussion. Promptly seeing a medical professional after a rear-end collision can save your life. You should also see a doctor because it may help your rear-end collision claim.

Every car accident victim must prove that their injuries happened due to the accident. One of the best ways to prove causation is to never delay in getting medical treatment after a car crash. The sooner you see a medical professional and receive treatment for your injuries, the less powerful an insurance company’s argument is that the rear-end collision did not cause the injury.

After getting the medical care you need, you should immediately contact a rear-end collision attorney. A rear-end collision attorney in your area will help you protect your legal rights after an accident. An accident attorney can ensure you do not lose your case on any technical grounds.

Will the Insurance Company Pay for My Injuries?

Most car accident claims begin with negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company. Sometimes, an injured party can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company, and the case will conclude.

However, the insurance company may refuse to pay you the money you deserve. Some of the ways that insurance companies try to keep from paying you on a rear-end collision claim include downplaying your injuries or claiming that you are at fault for the accident.

An experienced rear-end collision attorney will ensure that the insurance company will not take advantage of you. If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate a proper settlement, your attorney will help you file a lawsuit.

Consequences of Rear-End Collisions

Like any other type of traffic accident, rear-end collisions can lead to temporary and permanent injuries. An accident victim may also have massive property damage costs. If you were in a rear-end accident, you can often seek compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Examples of physical injuries that a rear-end collision can cause include:

• Broken bones
• Bruises
• Whiplash
• Back injuries
• Knee injuries
• Amputation
• Internal injuries
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Concussions and other head traumas
• Strains and sprains

What Damages Are Available for Rear-End Collisions?

Every car accident is unique, and there is no way to predict what damages you will receive or if your case will settle. However, some common types of damages are available in most car crashes. The following are types of damages available in rear-end collisions:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible damages with a specific financial value. Economic damages put the person who suffered the loss back in their position before the accident.

Examples of economic damages include:

• Current and future medical bills
• Current and future lost income
• Property damage
• The cost of towing the vehicle
• The cost of rehabilitation for an injury

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible damages intended to cover an injured person’s trauma after a car accident.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, punitive damages are available for an injury victim. Punitive damages aim to punish the defendant and deter the actions that caused the injury in the future. Punitive damages only apply when the defendant’s actions are wildly outrageous. There may be a limit on the amount of money a victim can receive in punitive damages.

Help Build Your Case

A car accident attorney can help you build your case. Your attorney will help by preparing you to tell your story at trial. An experienced car accident attorney knows the importance of telling a compelling story to a jury. During trial preparation, your car accident attorney will train you not to downplay your injuries.

Remember, you deserve total compensation if you suffered an injury in a car accident. A car accident attorney will help you ensure that you present all your damages to the insurance company or the court to receive the money you deserve after an accident.

Take Care of All the Legal Issues

Your car accident attorney will work on your behalf and take care of all the legal matters. If you hire a car accident attorney, there is no need for you to worry about how to follow procedural rules, how to respond to correspondence from insurance companies, or what to say in court. If you have a car accident attorney, you can keep your focus solely on recovery.

Negotiate on Your Behalf

This is likely your first lawsuit, and insurance companies know that. Insurance companies will try to take advantage of your lack of experience. Your car accident attorney will take on the insurance company and negotiate a satisfactory settlement on your behalf, including negotiating payment for pain and suffering. If you have suffered an injury in an accident, contact a car accident attorney in your area.

Get Access to Medical Care

Some doctors hesitate when they meet a patient hurt in a car accident. Some physicians avoid caring for accident victims because they do not want to be involved in a lawsuit. Your attorney can help you pursue medical care even if you must find a doctor other than your primary care physician.

What If I Cannot Afford an Attorney?

Expensive legal fees are a common concern for people after an accident. If you cannot afford an attorney, do not worry. Many car accident attorneys across the country represent car accident victims on a contingency fee basis.

A contingency fee agreement is an agreed-upon payment structure by the attorney and client. In a contingency fee agreement, the attorney and client agree to defer payment for legal services until the case resolves.

The terms of a contingency fee agreement must always be in writing, and both the attorney and client should sign it. Be sure you understand the agreement’s terms before you sign it. During the initial consultation with your attorney, you will discuss the terms of the agreement. Two common terms of contingency fee agreements include who will pay the litigation costs and how much the attorney will receive as payment after the case is over.

Litigation costs are those necessary to move the case forward. During a lawsuit, litigation expenses can include filing fees, copies, postage, etc. Your attorney may prepay litigation expenses and require reimbursement at the end of the case. The client may choose to pay litigation costs as the case continues.

The most important term in a contingency agreement is the amount of attorney’s fees. An attorney receives a percentage of the final settlement as payment. While this percentage can vary depending on the circumstances of your case, you should know what the attorney will charge up front. Rest assured that the fees will come from your settlement or award and never from your pocket. You will never have to save up the money and pay a lawyer from your bank account.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney Today

Hiring an accident attorney is the best way to set yourself up for success as you pursue a car accident claim after a rear-end crash. Car accident lawyers work hard to push back against the tactics of insurance companies so their clients get the compensation they need to fully recover.

You do not need to go it alone after an accident. Doing so puts your financial recovery and future at risk. Instead, call a local personal injury lawyer to get necessary legal representation for your accident claim.

Protect your right to compensation after suffering an injury from a car accident by seeking help. Never delay, as you have a limited time to take legal action. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you might receive compensation to cover all your losses and move forward with your life.

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