Rear-end collisions happen virtually every day in Georgia, and many of those accidents occur right here in Grayson. In fact, they’re the most common kind of accident in Georgia. A rear-end collision usually happens when one vehicle is stopped or trying to stop, and the other vehicle hits the back of the first car.
In that situation, even low-speed impacts can cause long-term damage to your neck, back, and other areas of the body. Victims at speeds as slow as five miles per hour have a 10 percent chance of experiencing whiplash, and the odds only go up from there. No matter how your rear-end crash happened, it’s worth it to talk to a Grayson rear-end collision accident lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we know that even minor accidents can be a big deal. You may have serious injuries after even a slow-speed crash, and that can be hard for an insurance company to fully understand. No matter how minor, you deserve to get money for your injuries after a rear-end accident, especially when the crash wasn’t your fault at all.
We want to help you get back on your feet financially after a collision. Let us give you a free consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
Learn how our Grayson car accident lawyer may be able to help with your situation.
What Are the Most Common Injuries from a Rear End Car Accident?
When you are in a rear-end crash, you often have no idea that the accident is about to happen. In other types of accidents, your body can brace for the impact, even if it happens so fast that you don’t consciously think about it—your body automatically prepares for you. You can’t do the same thing in a rear-end accident where you have no idea what is about to happen.
That is one of the reasons that injuries to the neck, head, and back are so common in rear-end accidents. Your body has no chance to stabilize the spine before the crash occurs.
You are also more likely to damage the ligaments in your body instead of tissue in a rear-end collision. When your body realizes that it will be struck, it will tense up the muscles, which results in damage to the tissue first. It has no opportunity to do that in a rear-end collision, which means that damage to the ligaments is more likely.
While injuries to the neck and back are the most common in a rear-end collision, several other types of injuries can result. These include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones or ribcage
- Paralysis
- Facial disfigurement
Neck injuries commonly known as “whiplash” frequently happen because of a rear-end collision. Whiplash arises when the neck moves quickly and forcefully back and forth. It looks like the cracking of a whip, which is how whiplash gets its name.
Technically speaking, whiplash is a form of neck sprain or strain. Rear-end collisions are by far the most common cause of whiplash, but it can also happen because of sporting accidents or physical abuse as well.
Is the Driver Who Hit Me Automatically at Fault?
Fault is never automatic, but the driver who hit the car in front of it will be at fault for the accident most of the time. That means that the second driver will be responsible for the injuries and property damage caused by the crash. But, there are some circumstances where the second driver isn’t at fault or will share responsibility with the driver they hit.
This type of case could be the result of:
- Some kind of flaw in the vehicle that was hit. In some cases, the driver that hit the first car may not have known that the first car was stopping because of some problem with the car in front of them. The most common example is that the brake lights weren’t working correctly. Failing to use a turn signal could also cause problems in some situations too.
- Stopping abruptly. Sometimes the car in front will stop suddenly because they realize they have to make a turn or they are trying to avoid hitting something in front of them. In those situations, the car behind them may not have enough time to react. But, the second car could be following far enough away to give themselves time to respond to emergency situations. That means that even if you stopped suddenly, the car behind you should have been far enough away from you to see that you stopped and react appropriately.
- Weather conditions. In other parts of the country, following someone in snow can make it hard to see whether they have stopped. In the City of Grayson, we don’t really have problems with snowstorms—but heavy rains, especially when they are sudden, can make it hard to see when someone traveling ahead of you has stopped or slowed down suddenly. Again, the car following you should be far enough away to react to these emergency situations. When the weather is bad, drivers should increase the distance between them and the car in front of them to help avoid rear-end accidents like this.
The default assumption is that the driver that hit the rear-end of the other vehicle is almost always to blame for a rear-end crash. But, you still need to gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and get photos to help prove your case to the insurance company or the local courts. Victims are always required to prove their case, and if a defendant has a defense, then you’ll need to fight it. The same is true if the insurance company is undervaluing your claim. This is where a rear-end collision lawyer can be most valuable.
Talk to a Grayson Rear End Collision Lawyer for Free
John Foy & Associates has over 25 years of experience dealing with cases just like yours. We know how to gather and offer evidence that will present your case in the best light possible. We can make that presentation to an insurance company through negotiations or to a judge or jury. Let us give you a FREE consultation.
Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
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