There are many types of car accidents in Decatur, but rear-end collisions are especially common, accounting for about half of all two-car crashes. In some of these accidents, nobody gets hurt – it’s the classic “fender bender.”
But other collisions cause severe and ongoing injuries and pain as well as extensive damage to the vehicles involved. Victims of serious rear-end collisions often end up with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end accident, you are legally entitled to get your costs back. To get the best financial recovery possible, talk to a Decatur rear-end collision accident attorney.
At John Foy & Associates, we are here to help. We’ve been assisting accident victims in the Decatur area for the past 20 years, and we’ve built a reputation as one of the top personal injury law firms in Georgia.
In fact, we don’t even take other types of cases. Our entire focus is on helping victims of accidents and injuries get the money they need.
What Should I Do If Someone Hits My Car from Behind?
If you’ve been rear-ended, you should first make sure you’re safe. Move your car to the side of the road and, if you need immediate medical attention, call an ambulance. Once you know you’re alright, there are some steps you can take to help your chances at getting compensation.
After a rear-end collision, you should:
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including damage to your car.
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information.
- Write down your account of events.
- Go to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment, even if you don’t feel like you have to.
- Contact a car accident attorney in Decatur as soon as possible.
After an accident, the other party, their lawyer, and the insurance company will most likely try to contact you. Be polite with them, but don’t tell them anything more than what they absolutely need to know. They’ll try to take any misstep you make and use it against you.
That’s why you should get in touch with a rear-end collision attorney in Decatur as soon as you can. A skilled rear-end collision lawyer in Decatur will be able to represent you with tact and make sure nobody takes advantage of you.
What Counts as a Rear-End Collision in Decatur?
It’s pretty straightforward: if the front of one vehicle hits the rear end of another vehicle, we consider it a rear-end collision, even if other things also caused or contributed to the accident.
Rear-end accidents can happen almost anywhere, from parking lots where the cars are traveling at low speeds, to interstates where high-speed impacts can cause devastating injuries. Even a seemingly minor rear-end collision can cause significant damage and major injuries that tend to worsen over time.
In Decatur, rear-end accidents usually involve at least one of these factors:
- Excessive speed
- Tailgating
- Inattentive drivers, including drivers distracted by cell phones
- DUI
- Poor visibility, often due to bad weather
- A driver changing lanes aggressively or without signaling
Regardless of what happened during your accident, if the other driver was to blame, then you don’t deserve to pay your expenses out of pocket. A Decatur rear-end collision lawyer can help you hold the negligent driver accountable.
What Are the Most Common Rear-End Accident Injuries?
Rear-end accidents can cause all sorts of injuries, ranging from minor bruises to tragic death. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the average price of a hospital visit after a crash is $3,300. The other party may be liable to pay for your medical expenses.
Some of the most common rear-end injuries are:
- Whiplash is a painful neck injury that’s especially common in rear-end collisions in that when you’re struck from behind, the car moves violently forward. Your seatbelt keeps you in the vehicle, but it doesn’t prevent your head from whipping forward with the impact, which can tear muscles, tendons, and soft tissues.
- Head injuries. Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, are among the most serious consequences of rear-end collisions. Even a seemingly minor concussion can lead to swelling that places pressure on the brain, causing long-term damage.
- Broken bones. The force of a rear-end collision can cause passengers to hit their arms, legs, hands, faces, or torsos on the interior of the car, leading to broken bones that sometimes require surgery.
Many rear-end accident injuries, including whiplash and concussions, can be more serious than they seem at first. Always get checked out by a doctor if you’ve been in an accident.
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Are Rear-End Accidents Different from Other Accidents?
Legally, no. Rear-end accidents are treated exactly the same as other types of car accidents. But when it comes to proving your case, it is usually much easier to tell who caused a rear-end accident. This is important because, in Georgia, the insurance company for the driver who’s at fault must pay for all the damage the accident causes.
Rear-end collisions are usually caused by the driver who “rear-ended” you. The driver in the back may not have been paying attention or may have followed you too closely, or at the very least had a chance to react and avoid the collision. In most rear-end cases, it’s pretty clear who was at fault.
In some cases, though, the driver in the back is not at fault. For example, if you rear-end someone on the freeway because they suddenly swerved in front of you with no turn signal, the accident may be their fault, not yours.
What Is a Fair Settlement for a Rear-End Collision?
Every car crash is different, which means each settlement is different as well. A “fair settlement” for your rear-end collision, ideally, would be one that covers all of your expenses related to your accident. If a party’s negligence caused your accident, then they should be liable for any damages that they caused.
Factors that can affect your settlement include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Any work that you had to miss because of the accident
- How much negligence you showed during the accident
- Any ongoing treatment your injuries require
- Any mental anguish, pain, or suffering you endured
When you meet with a Decatur rear-end collision attorney for your initial consultation, they will assess your case and your damages. Your lawyer will be able to give you a more comprehensive idea of how much you can expect to receive.
What Costs Can I Receive in a Rear-End Collision Claim in Decatur?
If you’re the victim of a rear-end accident, you have a right to recover all of the expenses you’ll have to bear because of the collision. That might include:
- Your doctor and hospital bills
- The cost of medication
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Money charged by mechanics and body shops, or the cost of a replacement vehicle if your car was totaled
- Lost wages if you had to miss work because of the accident
Some accident victims are entitled to additional money. The Dekalb County courts may award money, or “damages” to make up for pain and suffering, disabilities or other serious losses.
Of course, money can’t undo the accident, nor can it erase pain or restore your health—but it can keep you and your family financially stable while you recover.
How Soon Do I Have to File a Rear-End Collision Claim in Decatur?
It depends on the exact circumstances of your accident. Georgia does impose a deadline, also known as the statute of limitations. If you don’t file your claim before your deadline, you probably won’t be able to recover any money.
In many car accident cases, the deadline is two years, but for some claims, it’s only a few months. To avoid missing this deadline, it’s important to speak with a rear-end collision lawyer in Decatur as soon as possible after your accident.
Speak with a Decatur Rear-End Collision Attorney for Free
The goal of Decatur rear-end collision lawyers at John Foy & Associates is to give accident victims quality legal help. We’d like to show you how our experienced attorneys can aid you in getting the best financial recovery possible.
Schedule a free consultation and we’ll discuss your case. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
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