Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. These crashes make up about 30 percent of all accidents. Rear-end collisions can cause devastating injuries, even at low speeds. If you have been injured in a rear-end accident, you have legal options. An experienced car accident attorney can help you seek financial compensation that will help you get back on your feet.
Common Causes of Rear-End Crashes
Distracted Drivers
A significant number of rear-end collisions are caused by drivers who are distracted and do not notice that the car traveling in front of them has slowed or stopped. This accounts for about 87 percent of rear-end accidents, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Tailgating
Rear-end collisions also occur often when a vehicle is following too close behind another vehicle. Tailgating drivers often underestimate the distance that it takes to stop a vehicle and fail to account for the momentary reaction time they will need if the vehicle in front of them suddenly slows or stops.
Driving Too Fast
Speeding is a frequent cause of rear-end accidents, especially since the faster a car goes, the longer it will take for them to stop, which can be dangerous when a motor vehicle in front of them hits its breaks. Driving too fast for the weather conditions can also lead to rear-end crashes, as a vehicle might slide or hydroplane into the vehicle ahead of it on wet, icy, or snowy roads.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol impairs judgment, concentration, reaction times, muscle coordination, and thinking, all of which you need to operate a vehicle safely. This is true even if the driver is under the legal limit for blood alcohol content: more than 2,000 people were killed in 2020 in alcohol-related crashes where the driver had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL. Consequently, when a person gets behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, they may not be able to react quickly enough to stop if the motorist ahead of them slows down or stops suddenly.
Other Factors
While the above are some of the more common causes of these tragic rear-end accidents, they are not the only factors that can cause these collisions. These accidents can also result from fatigued driving, mechanical problems, poor road conditions, and other causes.
If you have suffered injuries in a rear-end accident due to another person’s wrongful actions, you should reach out to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible. These lawyers can review the facts of your collision, figure out what happened, and help you determine the legal options you can pursue.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Rear-End Crash
While the injuries that result from a rear-end crash will depend on the circumstances of the accident, injuries that commonly result from rear-end collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries, from whiplash and soft tissue strains/sprains to bulging or herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even spinal cord trauma and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Seat-belt injuries, including bruising and lacerations to the neck and chest
- Internal injuries and bleeding
Dealing With the Insurance Companies After a Rear-End Accident
After a rear-end collision, you will likely be dealing with multiple insurance companies; you will generally seek no-fault benefits from one insurer, and you may be able to make a claim to the at-fault driver’s insurer for other damages. Remember, these companies make money by paying out the least amount they can on car accident claims. It is in your best interest to get an experienced car accident attorney involved to ensure that you get the benefits and/or damages you deserve.
The Financial Damages You Can Pursue Following a Rear-End Crash
Following your rear-end crash, you may be able to pursue financial damages for the harm and losses you suffered. These damages typically include economic and non-economic damages, which include payment for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Personal property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Other expenses
Some of these damages are easy to verify, like medical bills, but some are hard-to-quantify losses, like the impact to your life. Therefore, you should discuss your case with a knowledgeable car accident attorney. These lawyers can review the extent of your losses, determine which damages apply to your case, and help you go after the maximum compensation you deserve.
Michigan Law Helps Those injured a Rear-End Collision
Fortunately, proving that a driver who rear-ended you was at fault is easier than proving fault in other collisions. There is a legal assumption that a driver who rear-ends another vehicle is at fault. Thus, that driver will be held responsible for the collision and your injuries unless they can prove otherwise under certain limited exceptions.
Call Gruel Mills Today
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a rear-end collision, do not deal with the debilitating consequences and confusing insurance system on your own. Instead, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Gruel Mills today for your free case consultation and find out how a legal professional can help you.
