Rear-End Collision Accident Cases
What is a Rear-End Collision?
A rear-end or rear-impact collision is one of the most common types of crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 2.5 million crashes per year are rear-end collisions. Rear-impact collisions often cause serious injuries, particularly whiplash. A rear-end collision accident attorney may be able to help the victims of this type of crash recover compensation for their injuries.
Common Causes Of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when one driver hits another from behind. In simple terms, a rear-end accident happens when one driver fails to stop in time to keep from hitting the car in front. This means that rear-end accidents are almost always the fault of the rear driver. There can be many reasons that a driver might fail to have control of his or her vehicle, including texting, slippery road conditions, speeding and faulty brakes.
The liability for a rear-end collision depends on the circumstances of the crash. If the rear driver’s car malfunctioned so that he or she could not stop in time, the manufacturer of the vehicle or of the brake system might be at fault. In other cases, the driver may be liable due to negligent behavior such as traveling too fast for conditions or being distracted.
Additionally, the design and manufacture of the vehicles involved may play a role in the severity of a rear-end collision. A bumper that is made of cheap material or poorly designed will not absorb impact as well as a quality bumper. This could lead to more serious injuries from a rear-end accident than would normally be expected.
Common Injuries In Rear-End Collisions
The most common types of injuries seen in rear-end collisions are whiplash injuries. Whiplash refers to the movement of the head forward and backward at high speed that occurs when the momentum of the vehicle shifts during a rear-end collision. This movement is especially pronounced when the victim is sitting still, as at a stop light, and is struck from behind at high speed. Whiplash injuries affect the soft tissues of the neck, shoulders and back and can cause serious and long-term pain, even when they are difficult to diagnose.
Despite the common belief that most rear-end crashes are “minor,” injuries sustained in a rear-end collision can actually be quite severe. In fact, a surprising number of rear-end collisions end in death for one or more victims, particularly if they are sitting in the back seat at the time of the crash. Traumatic head injuries, spinal cord injuries and internal injuries are not uncommon in these types of accidents.
Compensation For Rear-End Collision Accidents
Liability for a rear-end collision is often easy to establish, but many insurance companies try to deny these claims based on the lack of visible evidence of injury to the victims. For example, a victim who has suffered serious whiplash injury may not be able to prove that he or she is injured by an x-ray, since these injuries damage the soft tissues rather than the bones. A rear-end collision accident attorney may be needed to help the victim prove that the other party was negligent and that he or she is entitled to monetary compensation.
How A Rear-End Collision Accident Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a rear-end collision, contact an auto accident attorney at David & Philpot P.L. today. There is no charge for the consultation and you will not be charged until a recovery has been made on your claim. We’re standing by 24x7x365 via our live chat service on this site. You can also fill out our free case evaluation form or contact us via phone at 800.360.7015. We look forward to helping you!
