Rear-end collisions have the potential to seriously upset your life with uncertainty. Fortunately, you have options if you want to take legal action against a driver who rear-ended you.
Hite Law Firm Trial Lawyers of Abbeville can serve as your car accident lawyer in your time of need, helping you to build a compensation claim. Please contact our team if you or a family member were injured in a rear-end crash.
Typical Causes of Rear-End Collisions
In almost every case of a rear-end collision, driver error is to blame. Additionally, in the vast majority of cases, it is the car in the rear that is determined liable for the accident.
Though many circumstances and situations may lead to a rear-end crash, some reasons occur much more frequently. The top three causes of rear-end collisions are:
- Distracted driving: Drivers not paying attention to the road ahead of them can end up plowing into vehicles that they do not notice have come to a stop or slowed significantly.
- Hazardous driving: This includes dangerous driving behaviors like tailgating or aggressive driving, in other words, driving too close to the vehicle ahead without leaving enough room to stop in an emergency.
- Inclement weather conditions: In poor weather conditions, cars should maintain an even greater distance from each other. Drivers who do not can easily end up hitting a slick area of the road and sliding into other vehicles after losing control of their own.
Common Injuries Caused by a Rear-End Collision
You may find yourself dealing with whiplash after a rear-end collision. In fact, whiplash is one of the most common injuries experienced by sufferers of this type of accident.
Whiplash can impact victims in numerous ways. You may find yourself barely affected, or you could end up dealing with pain and nerve sensations for days, weeks, or even months. Some people may suffer from the effects of whiplash for a year or more.
Typically, over-the-counter pain control and medical devices such as neck braces can help in the recovery process. In rare cases, a doctor may suggest surgery to handle persistent problems resulting from whiplash.
Other common injuries caused by this type of crash include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Herniated discs in the spine
- Strains or sprains of the back
- Nerve damage resulting in chronic pain
- Superficial wounds such as bruising
- Compression fractures
The healing time for these injuries can vary greatly, resulting in a good deal of unwanted financial pressure and stress.
Determining Who Is at Fault
Many factors go into the determination of who is at fault in a rear-end collision. The insurance companies of both parties will typically handle the bulk of the communication. They will interview each driver involved to get both sides of the story.
After that, insurance companies will take a look at the facts of the crash, any submitted evidence, and any testimony or witness statements available. From this information, they will determine who holds fault for the crash. That person’s insurance will pay for medical damages, property damages, and expenses for pain and suffering, among other potential costs for suffering and loss.
Though it is not impossible to handle matters of a rear-end collision without an attorney, legal assistance can streamline the entire process and provide peace of mind in an already stressful situation. Getting a rear-end accident lawyer is one of the most helpful things you can do. When working on your behalf, our attorneys know what sort of paperwork you need, when to file it, and what kind of information both insurance companies will require along the way.
Rear-End Collision Compensation
It is possible to get numerous types of compensation for your rear-end collision. This includes coverage for property damages, such as any repairs you had to make on your car.
It also includes coverage for physical harm and bodily injury, such as the cost of hospital admission, any medications a doctor prescribes, and any treatment received in the hospital or after release. Physical therapy and even mental health therapy may count as well. Compensation may also include any income lost during the recovery process if you had to take time away from work.
Finally, you may receive compensation for pain and suffering. This injury settlement exists separately from a property settlement and depends on numerous factors, such as the accident’s impact on your overall quality of life. Depending on the particular impact, you could receive a sum of money to cover any physical or mental suffering, anxiety, stress, or pain that you experienced as a result of the accident.
How Can a Rear-End Accident Lawyer Help Clients With Rear-End Collision Claims?
The emotional and physical hardships of a crash are enough to deal with on their own. Handling insurance claims on top of that may feel like an impossible feat. Fortunately, having an experienced car accident attorney can help reduce the stress of this process.
We can provide you with legal guidance through the entire process of submitting a claim, but that is not all. Our team can also:
- Handle administrative tasks related to your claim, including submitting and filing paperwork
- Investigate your claim
- Identify any and all recoverable damages
- Represent you in any conversations with opposing legal counsel or insurance companies
- Ensure the protection of your rights throughout the process
Having these protections can make a world of difference in navigating the legal part of handling a car crash.
Contact a Rear-End Accident Lawyer in Abbeville
It is never too soon to reach out for legal help after getting caught in a rear-end collision. In fact, the sooner you reach out, the better. Our rear-end accident attorneys in South Carolina can provide important information and answer the questions you may have about your right to compensation after a crash. We can help guide you through this tricky time and provide you with the knowledge you may not have even known that you needed.
You may suffer from financial setbacks, life-altering injuries, and emotional distress in the aftermath of an accident. Fortunately, you have every right to seek legal counsel. Contact us at Hite Law Firm Trial Lawyers toll-free at 864-664-2252 or use our website form to learn more about your options.
