Tap to Call
Directions

Rear-End Car Accident Attorney

Rear-End Accident

Rear-end accidents are some of the most common collisions seen in Montgomery, Alabama, and throughout the rest of the country. In fact, these crashes occur every 8 seconds in the United States, according to the National Safety Commission.

Sometimes, people are lucky enough to escape these car accidents with only property damage or very minor injuries. However, rear-end crashes can result in serious injuries that greatly impact an accident victim’s quality of life.

When individuals are injured in a rear-end accident that was the fault of someone else, they may be eligible for compensation. A Montgomery car accident attorney can help crash victims demand full and fair compensation for their losses. Contact the dedicated team at Serious Injury Law Group now for a free consultation on your legal rights.

What Is a Rear-End Accident?

Rear-end accidents occur when one vehicle slams into the back of the vehicle in front of it. In some cases, the vehicle in front has suddenly applied the brakes, and the vehicle behind does not have enough time to stop. In other cases, the driver in the rear was following too closely or not paying attention, causing a crash. These types of crashes often cause a chain reaction, resulting in a multiple-vehicle pile-up.

Although a rear-end accident can occur at any time, there are areas where they are more likely to happen. These include at intersections, areas with heavy traffic, and exit ramps on highways. Construction zones and work zones are also common places for rear-end accidents.

Determining Liability for a Rear-End Car Accident

Many people think that after a rear-end accident, it’s always the driver in the rear who is at fault. However, this is not always the case. If the driver in front acted negligently, he or she can be found at fault.

A Montgomery rear-end accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash to determine who was at fault. To do this, the attorney will collect evidence, interview witnesses, and work with an accident reconstruction specialist. These professionals use evidence such as photographs from the scene and computer technology to determine how a crash happened.

It’s important to understand that under Alabama’s contributory negligence laws, accident victims may share some of the blame and be barred from recovering compensation. In Alabama, if the people injured were determined to be even 1 percent at fault for an accident, they are barred from receiving compensation. This is why insurance companies will fight so hard to push the blame onto victims.

Compensation for Crash Injuries

Alabama is a tort, or at-fault, car insurance state. This means that when an accident occurs, victims must go through the at-fault party’s insurance to collect compensation. Drivers in Alabama are required to carry a minimum of $25,000 insurance coverage for death or bodily injury to a person. This, unfortunately, is rarely enough to fully cover the cost of serious injuries.

When this is the case, accident victims can file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver. Through a personal injury lawsuit, accident victims can claim compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

Accident victims who need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit have only two years to file their claim, and there is a lot of work that goes into preparing a strong case. So it’s important to speak to a rear-end accident attorney as soon as possible.

Common Rear-End Collision Injuries

During a rear-end accident, there are a number of ways people can become hurt. However, there are some injuries that are more common than others. These include:

  • Whiplash: This is the most common injury reported after a rear-end accident. When a person’s vehicle is hit from behind, it causes the victim’s head and neck to move back and forth in rapid succession, while the body remains still. Due to the fact that drivers often cannot brace for the impact, it increases the severity of this injury.
  • Back injuries: When a driver is hit from behind, the impact is very forceful. It can cause the spine to compress, which can result in slipped and ruptured discs in the spine.
  • Paralysis: If the spine sustained enough damage, it can result in a spinal cord injury that causes partial or full paralysis.
  • Airbag injuries: Airbags are often deployed in rear-end collisions, particularly when the vehicles are traveling over 20 miles per hour. Although they are an important safety feature, airbags can cause burns to the face and scalp and broken bones, typically in the face and ribs.
  • Brain injuries: It is common for the head to hit the steering wheel in a rear-end collision. When this impact is very forceful, it can be enough to cause extensive brain damage.
  • Facial injuries: During a rear-end collision, the face can hit the steering wheel, other parts of the car, or be hit by loose debris. This can result in not only injuries but permanent scarring.
  • Seat belt injuries: Like airbags, seat belts are important safety features. Unfortunately, they can also cause injuries. Most commonly, these include bruising and deep lacerations to the chest, neck, and torso.

When these injuries occur, they can leave accident victims in serious pain and greatly impact their quality of life. Sometimes, these injuries haunt accident victims throughout their entire lives. Due to this, it’s important that accident victims speak to a rear-end accident attorney who can help determine both current and future losses.

What Are the Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?

There are many reasons why rear-end accidents occur. The most common causes of rear-end collisions include:

When a driver exhibits any of these behaviors and causes an accident, he or she can be found negligent and held liable for paying damages.

Talk to a Rear-End Accident Lawyer Now

If you’ve been hurt in a rear-end collision, you need to speak with one of our Montgomery rear-end accident attorneys today. At Serious Injury Law Group, we are dedicated to helping accident victims demand the compensation they need and the justice they deserve.

Our team will work hard to prove who was at fault for your crash, and we will demand maximum compensation for the losses you have suffered. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.