Rear-end collisions accounted for almost half of all two-vehicle crashes, according to a 2015 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report. The same report stated that over a two-year period of 2011-2012, more than one million people in the United States were injured in rear-end collisions.
If you or a loved one has been in a rear-end collision, don’t try to recover damages on your own. The experienced Atlanta rear-end collision lawyers at John Foy & Associates can provide a free consultation. We’re one of Atlanta’s most established personal injury firms with more than 20 years of protecting those who have been injured by someone else’s negligence.
Atlanta Rear-End Collision FAQs
Knowing what to do after being rear-ended can be challenging. You know you’re in pain, but what do you do next? Get answers to frequently asked questions from a rear-end accident lawyer.
I Got Rear-Ended – Do I Need a Lawyer?
What Are the Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?
What Are the Major Injuries People Suffer in Rear-End Collisions?
What Should You Do if You Are Injured in a Rear-End Collision?
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Georgia?
Get the strong arm
I Got Rear-Ended – Do I Need a Lawyer?
A lawyer can help you navigate even a minor rear-end accident claim. A lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and that you are filing for every damage to which you are entitled. If you suffered injuries or other damages that weren’t your fault, you should absolutely fight for compensation. You may not know exactly what you are entitled to without a lawyer’s help.
In any personal injury claim, damages are sought to recover these costs:
- Any reasonable and necessary medical treatment, including future treatment
- Wages and income lost due to the rear-end accident
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Decreased quality of life
If the driver was drunk or criminally at fault, you may also recover punitive damages, which are awarded to punish the driver for his or her behavior.
Hiring an Atlanta rear-end collision lawyer can also help to ensure that you meet all deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In Georgia, the typical statute of limitations for filing is two years. However, some exceptions might apply to your case, which would further limit the amount of time you have to file.
It’s essential to act quickly. First, we can ensure that your right to compensation does not expire. Second, we can help you get the medical treatment you need to get back on your feet and back in your car. Third, we can gather evidence and interview witnesses while their memories are still fresh.
What Are the Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?
Six of the most common causes of rear-end collisions include:
- Unsafe speed: A driver is traveling too fast to make a safe stop
- Tailgating: A driver is traveling too close to the car in front to make a safe stop
- Unsafe lane change: The car in front has made an unsafe lane change, preventing the car behind from safely avoiding a crash
- Driving under the influence: It doesn’t matter which driver is drunk to create an accident
- Distracted driving: Either driver talking on the phone, texting, eating, or being deep in thought or conversation is risky road behavior
- Weather conditions: Sun glare, fog, rain, and ice on the road can be the cause of a driver hitting another from behind
What Are the Major Injuries People Suffer in Rear-End Collisions?
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, neck injury or neck strain is the most commonly reported injury in automobile accidents. About one in five insurance claims from rear-end collisions are primarily for whiplash or neck injuries.
Other common injuries include spinal cord injuries, knee and leg injuries, facial lacerations, and brain injuries from airbag deployment. Don’t ignore your injuries from any collision. Get the proper medical care and be honest and forthcoming with your physician about the extent of any pain.
John Foy & Associates has been practicing personal injury law in Atlanta for more than 20 years, and we have many strong relationships with medical personnel who specifically treat these types of injuries. Give us a call, and we can help get you the proper medical care.
What Should You Do if You Are Injured in a Rear-End Collision?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a rear-end collision, gather as much information as possible about the accident. Get the names and telephone numbers of witnesses, and make sure you exchange license, car registration, and insurance information with the other driver. Call the police and have them make a police report.
Call an ambulance if anyone on the scene is seriously injured. If you were too injured to do any of this, our seasoned investigators will gather crash information for you. They’ll pore through the police and insurance reports to recreate the collision.
You should never believe the other driver when he says, “Let’s keep this between ourselves.” “I don’t know how many times we’ve heard that the other driver was willing to pay for everything only to have the guy disappear,’’ says firm founder, John Foy.
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Georgia?
Rear-end collisions are common crashes with high injury and property damage rates. The fault in these cases is generally easy to define. In the majority of cases, the fault lies with the trailing driver. However, mitigating circumstances can sometimes place the blame on the lead driver or a third party.
After an accident, it is important not to engage with the other driver beyond exchanging information. “No good ever comes out of arguing your point of view,’’ says our firm founder, John Foy. “Keep the conversation simple and cordial and exchange driver and car information.”
Our investigators will pore through the police and insurance reports, and together, we’ll work with you to decide who is liable. In Georgia, you can still have a claim even if you are partly responsible for a crash as long as your level of liability does not rise above 50%.
How a Rear-End Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation
People are often wary about hiring a lawyer because they don’t think they will be able to afford to do so. However, this should never be the case when it comes to hiring a personal injury attorney. These lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you collect money.
Your attorney’s fee will be taken as a percentage of the money you receive from the at-fault party, so you never have to worry about not being able to afford to pay. The more money you collect, the more your lawyer earns. So, you can feel confident that they will fight to get you as much money as possible.
Some of the benefits you can enjoy in hiring a rear-end accident lawyer in Atlanta that you may not be able to do as easily on your own include:
- Negotiating with the other driver and their insurance company on your behalf
- Gathering evidence like photos, video, witness statements, medical documentation, and police reports to support your arguments
- Using expert testimony to prove the other party was at fault, even when they claim that you are to blame
One of the most challenging things about representing yourself in these types of cases is dealing with insurance companies. “Insurance companies always want to settle quickly,’’ says our firm founder, John Foy. Their agenda is to close a case and eliminate any further liability they may otherwise owe you.
However, you may not even know the extent of your injury for a month or more after your accident. Some physical symptoms take a while to appear, such as concussions, whiplash, and spinal cord injuries. Once you sign a settlement agreement, you will never be able to get more money from this case.
Insurance companies have teams of highly paid corporate attorneys representing them. Your own agent may be a terrific guy, but he’s not the one ultimately deciding how to treat you. Don’t negotiate with an insurance company on your own. You should not agree to anything, including having a recorded conversation, without first consulting a personal injury attorney.
Contact Our Experienced Rear-End Collision Attorneys Today
John Foy & Associates is a well-established and seasoned Atlanta personal injury law firm. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the last 20 years. We have seen our share of rear-end collision injury claims. Our mission has always been to help those who have been injured because of someone else’s negligence. Our only clients are people like you.
Give our experienced Atlanta rear-end collision attorneys a call or fill out our online contact form to get started. Someone answers the phone every day, every hour of the day. We’ll give you a free and confidential consultation. Remember, we don’t get paid unless you recover compensation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
