Macon
RearEnd Collision Lawyer

Whether on highways, city streets, or in parking lots, rear-end collisions are an everyday event in Macon. In fact, rear-end collisions account for about 50% of all car accidents, often with disastrous consequences. 

Even when there’s not much vehicle damage, a rear-end accident can cause severe pain and lead to tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. If you have been hurt in a rear-end accident, you can recover your costs. You need to talk to a Macon rear-end collision attorney at John Foy & Associates.

What Kinds of Accidents Qualify As Rear-End Accidents in Macon?

Rear-end accident is any accident where the front end of a vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. In some instances, one car is directly behind another, and in others the rear vehicle is off to one side. Although high-speed accidents usually cause the most severe injuries, significant injuries can also happen when the cars aren’t moving very fast at all. 

Typically, a rear-end accident in Macon will involve one or more of the following situations:

• Speeding
• Tailgating, or not maintaining a safe following distance
• Texting, cell phone use, or other distracted driving behavior
• Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Visibility issues such as fog or heavy rain
• Drivers who change lanes aggressively or without signaling

What Are Some Common Injuries from Rear-End Accidents?

There are a few types of injuries that are particularly common in rear-end collisions. These include:

• The force of being hit from behind causes your head to “whip” suddenly forward while your body is restrained in your seat belt. This abrupt motion can tear the muscles and soft tissues in your neck. These tears lead to whiplash, a painful condition that is the classic rear-end accident injury.
• The same sudden forward motion that causes whiplash can also cause you to hit your head on hard surfaces on the car’s interior and you can suffer a head injury. This can lead to a concussion that in turn may cause brain swelling. The most severe head injuries are permanent traumatic brain injuries. 
• A rear-end accident can also cause you to hit other body parts on the interior of the car, breaking bones in the process. Hand, wrist, and nose fractures are especially common in rear-end collisions. 

Always take an accident seriously, even if you think you weren’t really hurt. The effects of being rear-ended don’t always manifest immediately. So, see a doctor right away to get started on treatment. This will help you heal as quickly and completely as possible. And it will also help your rear-end collision lawyer in Macon prove the serious nature of your injuries.

What’s the Difference Between Rear-End Collisions and Other Car Accidents?

In theory, rear-end accidents are the same as other types of car accidents. In practice, however, rear-end accidents tend to be a little simpler when it comes to figuring out liability. In Georgia, the driver who caused the accident is liable, or responsible, for paying for the resulting costs and damages. This means that in any accident case, it is important to determine who is at fault.

In rear-end cases, this is often easy because the accident was clearly caused by the driver in the rear. If that driver hadn’t been tailgating or texting, the accident wouldn’t have happened.  However, there are times when the driver in the back isn’t at fault. For example, if a driver was weaving through traffic and veered in front of you with no warning, that driver would be liable.

How Much Money Can You Get in a Rear-End Accident Claim in Macon?

Georgia law allows accident victims to recover ALL their costs and expenses resulting from the accident. Damages that rear-end collision lawyers typically recover for their clients include:

• Medical costs
• Prescriptions
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Auto repairs or replacement of a totaled vehicle
• Lost wages to compensate you for the time you missed from work because of the accident

Depending on your accident and your injuries, the local courts may also award you additional compensation for pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other serious losses. Money may not be enough to compensate you for a severe injury, but, hopefully, this award can eliminate your financial stress while allowing you to get all the treatment you need.

You should know that insurance companies are not as sympathetic as they sound. They are trying to make a profit, and one of the ways they stay profitable is to offer accident victims much less than their claims are worth. You should talk to a rear-end collision lawyer in Macon before you sign anything or accept an insurance company check.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Rear-End Collision Claim in Georgia?

Yes, there are deadlines under both state and federal law. In car accident cases, these deadlines are usually two years, as set forth by the statute of limitations in Ga. Code § 9-3-33. But the deadline for your case may be only a few months. 

If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to recover money for your injuries. To make sure you file your claim on time, it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.

Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer You Get for Your Claim

In the days following the rear-end accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will reach out to you. They are likely going to offer you an enticing settlement, but don’t let this fool you. The initial settlement offer is always way below what will actually cover your damages. If you accept, you could lose any chance of seeking more money for your losses.

The at-fault party’s insurance company may also look for other ways to use information against you. Your rights need to be protected. The best way to do that is by contacting an experienced rear-end collision accident lawyer in Macon who can research your case and let you know what a fair settlement offer will actually look like.

How a Rear-End Collision Lawsuit in Macon, GA, Works

If you plan to sue a driver for causing a rear-end accident, you and your attorney will need to take action immediately.

Collecting Evidence in Order to Prove Fault

You will need to be able to show that the other driver was negligent, their actions caused your accident, and your damages were a direct result of the accident. The police report from the accident will be a key piece of evidence in your claim. 

It’s important you keep clear and detailed records of any and all expenses you incurred from the car crash. Most of these damages will likely be able to be proven through bills, receipts, and pay stubs. 

A rear-end collision lawyer in Macon can help you prove the cost associated with any noneconomic damages. An experienced attorney will know what it takes to show the full extent of your losses.

Filing a Claim

Once you have compiled the evidence you need for your case, your attorney can help you file a formal claim to explain what happened, how you were physically hurt, and how much you are asking for as compensation.

Once this documentation has been filed, the legal process of suing for your rear-end collision begins. While your case may not go to court, the at-fault party can see that you are serious about seeking a reward for the damages they caused.

Talk to a Macon Rear-End Accident Lawyer for Free

At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping accident victims like you for more than two decades. Let our rear-end collision lawyers in Macon put our experience to work for you. We started our law firm with a single goal: to help accident victims get the money they need and deserve, so they can put their lives back together. 

We’ve built a solid reputation and an impressive track record of successful results. At our initial free consultation, we’ll talk about your case and help you decide what to do, all with no obligation. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.