About half of all car accidents are rear end collisions, and that means rear end accidents are extremely common in East Point. Some seem like minor fender benders but still cause painful injuries. Others happen at highway speeds, totaling cars and inflicting severe injuries on the people inside.
If you have been hurt in a rear end collision, you may be facing tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills and weeks or months with no paycheck. But you have a right to recover these and other costs. A rear end collision accident lawyer can help.
At John Foy & Associates, we have a 20-plus year track record of getting results for people injured in rear end collisions and other types of accidents. Our entire law practice is geared toward people who were injured. We never represent the big insurance companies.
Let us give you a free, no obligation consultation to talk about your accident and explain what we can do for you. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What Counts As a Rear End Collision in East Point?
A rear end collision includes any accident where the front end of one vehicle hits the back end of another. Even if other factors were involved, we still consider it a rear end collision. Some rear end collisions happen at stop signs or parking lots when the cars are barely creeping along.
Others happen at high speeds when a driver swerves suddenly in front of another car, leaving other drivers no time to react. No matter how fast or slow the cars are going, rear end accidents can cause significant injuries and vehicle damage.
In the City of East Point, rear end collisions typically involve one or more of these factors:
- Excessive speed
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving behaviors such as cell phone use
- A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Weather-related visibility problems
- Aggressive lane changing
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What Are the Most Common Rear End Collision Injuries?
Just as there are many potential causes of a rear end collision, there are many possible injuries. However, there are some injuries that we see more often than others. These include:
- Whiplash. Whiplash is the classic rear end collision injury. Despite its reputation as a “made up” injury, it is very real, and very painful. Whiplash develops because the force of the collision causes passengers’ heads to “whip” abruptly back and forth, tearing the muscles and soft tendons in the neck. Whiplash often isn’t apparent until hours, days or even weeks after an accident.
- Head injuries. The impact can cause you to hit your head on the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield or seat in front of you. This may lead to head injuries ranging from a mild concussion to a life-threatening traumatic brain injury. Even a mild concussion can cause brain swelling which may lead to a long-term injury.
- Broken bones. Broken bones typically happen because you hit your hand, arm or head on something hard inside the car.
Even if you don’t feel any symptoms at first, you should always see a doctor as soon as you can after a rear end accident.
What Makes Rear End Collisions Different than Other Car Accidents?
In any car accident in Georgia, the driver who is at fault must bear the cost of everyone’s injuries and vehicle damage. Usually this is paid by the driver’s insurance company. Rear-end accidents are no exception.
What makes rear end accidents different is that it is usually easy to tell who is at fault. The vast majority of the time, the driver in the rear caused the accident by being careless or failing to follow traffic laws. This means that rear end accident claims are often easier to resolve because there is no arguing about who is to blame.
However, the driver in the back is not always at fault. For example, if you were driving on a highway and you hit another driver who swerved in front of you with no warning, the accident may be the fault of the driver in front.
What Costs Can I Recover in a Rear End Collision Claim in East Point?
Accident victims in Georgia have a right to recover ALL of their costs and damages. This means you may be entitled to:
- Your medical expenses
- The cost of prescription drugs
- Expenses of physical or rehabilitative therapy
- The cost of fixing or replacing your car
- Money to make up for pay you lost if you missed work because of the accident
You may also qualify for even larger financial awards. The local courts may award you money for physical pain, emotional issues, a long-term disability, or other severe losses. Money can never undo the effects of an accident—we know that. But we have also seen the relief many people feel when they realize they will be able to continue their treatment and keep their family on sound financial footing after a tragic accident.
Your costs will usually be paid by insurance, but you should know that the insurance company will try to pay you as little as possible. This is how they keep their profits up. Never accept money from an insurance company, sign any paperwork, or give a recorded statement until you have talked to a lawyer.
How Much Time do I Have to File a Rear End Collision Claim in East Point?
There are strict deadlines for filing claims. These deadlines, set by state and federal laws, are known as “statutes of limitations.” For many rear end collision claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. But you do not always have this much time. For some claims, you only have a few months. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to recover any money. This is why you must get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.
Talk to an East Point Rear End Collision Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we have just one goal: to help accident victims get the money they need to heal as completely as possible. We’d like to show you how we can help you. Let us give you a free consultation to discuss your case, explain your options, and help you decide what to do.
Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form