Rear-end collisions happen all the time in Douglasville, accounting for about half of all two-car accidents. They are common in parking lots and at stop signs, where slow speeds keep vehicle damage to a minimum. But rear-end accidents also happen at high speeds on highways, leaving cars totaled.
No matter the extent of your vehicle damage, a rear-end accident can cause serious, expensive, long-term injuries to drivers and passengers. You have a right to financial recovery from the negligent party, and a rear-end collision lawyer in Douglasville from John Foy & Associates can help.
What Counts As a Rear-End Collision in Douglasville?
A rear-end collision is any accident where the front end of one vehicle runs into the back end of another. There are many different types of accidents that can be classified as rear-end collisions.
Some are a simple matter of one car hitting another, while other rear-end collisions are part of a larger wreck. rear-end collisions can happen at high speeds or they can be little more than getting bumped in a parking lot.
Even a minor rear-end collision has the potential to leave victims with thousands of dollars in vehicle damage and tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. The majority of the rear-end collisions in the City of Douglasville involve one of these circumstances:
- A speeding vehicle
- A car “tailgating” the car in front of it
- A driver who’s texting, fiddling with the radio, or doing something else distracting
- A driver who’s under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Bad weather that reduces visibility
- A driver weaving in and out of traffic
A skilled rear-end collision attorney in Douglasville will know how to investigate your case and show what caused your accident. By gathering evidence and building a strong case, we can prove that you were the victim of a negligent driver.
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Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Lawyer?
It is almost always worth getting a lawyer for your rear-end accident. Most of the time, rear-end collisions are caused by negligence, and that means that you could be eligible for compensation. “Negligence,” by definition, is when someone neglects their duty of care, or the standard to which they can reasonably be expected to treat others.
Even if your rear-end accident was minor, it’s still worth at least consulting with a lawyer. Sometimes the bills for doctors or mechanics end up being much more expensive than you realize, even if the damages seem small. Our team takes nothing upfront and doesn’t get paid unless you do, so you don’t need to worry about paying exorbitant lawyer fees.
However, we advise against representing yourself in your car accident claim. People who try to take on a personal injury case alone often find that they don’t get the compensation they need. With a skilled rear-end collision lawyer by your side, you have a much better chance at avoiding the tricks and bullying of the other party, their lawyer, and the insurance company.
Our Douglasville rear-end collision attorneys offer free initial consultations, so there’s no reason not to talk to us and find out what we can do for you. When you meet with our team, one of our personal injury attorneys will listen to your story and tell you if you have a valid claim.
What Are Some Common Injuries from Rear-End Accidents?
Just as there are many types of rear-end accidents, there are many kinds of injuries that can result. Some, however, are more common than others. Here are a few that we typically see:
- Whiplash: Your seatbelt keeps you in your seat during a rear-end collision, but it doesn’t support your neck. The impact can snap your neck forward and then “whip” it back, causing your neck muscles and tissues to tear. This in turn leads to the painful condition known as whiplash.
- Head injuries: If you hit your head on the interior of the car, you may suffer a concussion or brain injury. Concussions can cause swelling and pressure on your brain and can lead to longer-term problems. A traumatic brain injury is one of the most serious injuries you can suffer in a car accident.
- Broken bones: The impact of the collision can cause you to hit your face, arms, wrist, or torso on a hard surface, breaking bones in the process. While some broken bones heal easily, others require surgery.
Some car accident injuries appear minor at first and then develop into more serious conditions if left untreated. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor right away after an accident.
What Makes Rear-End Collisions Different from Other Car Accidents?
The law treats rear-end collisions the same as other accidents – the insurance company for the driver who was legally at fault pays for all costs and damages. In some accident cases, it’s hard to tell who caused the accident. But that’s not true of rear-end collisions.
In a rear-end accident, the driver in the back is almost always responsible. It’s usually the driver in the back who didn’t stop quickly enough, decided to drive drunk, or followed too closely. This makes rear-end accident claims easier to prove than many other accident claims.
However, sometimes it’s the driver in front who’s at fault. For example, a driver who is swerving in and out of traffic and cuts suddenly in front of you may be legally liable for the accident, even though you were the driver in the back.
What Costs Will My Rear-End Collision Claim in Douglasville Cover?
Accident victims in Georgia can recover 100% of the costs and damages caused by the accident. This includes:
- Doctor, hospital, emergency room, and other medical bills
- Prescription drug expenses
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- The cost of repairing or replacing your car
- Lost wages, if you had to miss time from work because of the accident
Some accident victims are entitled to even larger financial awards. The local courts may award you money for serious, long-term damage such as ongoing pain or a permanent disability. This money can never bring back your health, but it can give you the resources to get treatment and keep your family on a firm financial footing.
When an insurance company receives your claim, it will often offer you money, but you should be aware that this money will almost never be enough to cover the cost of your injury. Insurance companies want to make a profit, and they do this by paying out as little as possible when someone makes a claim.
We recommend that you talk to a rear-end collision lawyer in Douglasville before you accept money or sign anything from an insurance company.
What Is a Good Settlement for a Rear-End Collision?
Because no two car accidents are the same, there is no one-size-fits-all number for a “good” settlement. Usually, a good settlement will cover all your damages, including non-economic damages (damages to your quality of life, like pain and suffering) and expenses that you’re likely to pay in the future.
When you meet with your Douglasville rear-end accident attorney, they will assess your case and tell you how much you might expect from your settlement. John Foy & Associates has been getting results in personal injury cases for years, so you can rest assured that we will work tirelessly to get you the settlement that you deserve.
What’s the Deadline for Filing a Rear-End Accident Case in Georgia?
State and federal laws impose strict deadlines on filing accident claims. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to receive financial recovery for your injuries. For most auto accidents, you must file a claim within two years, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 9-3-33. However, for some types of accidents, claims must be filed within a few months.
Because of that, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as you can after your accident. The longer you wait to get an attorney on the case, the harder it will be to find the evidence needed to prove your claim. Don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Speak to a Douglasville Rear-End Collision Accident Lawyer for Free
The Douglasville rear-end collision lawyers at John Foy & Associates only do one thing—we help accident victims get the money they deserve. In fact, we’ve been helping victims of accidents for more than two decades. We’ve built an impressive track record of success by consistently advocating for the rights of victims and never siding with insurance companies.
Meet with us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and the next steps you should take. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
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