Rear-end accidents happen very frequently. In fact, they are one of the most common types of accidents that occur throughout the United States, and McDonough, GA follows that trend. While many rear-end crashes occur at lower speeds, that doesn’t mean they can’t be serious. The jolt of being completely stopped and the shoved forward can do a number on your back, neck, and extremities. When that happens, bringing in a McDonough rear-end collision accident lawyer is a good idea.
Insurance companies can be very difficult to work with after a car accident. John Foy & Associates has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies after this type of accident. We can also help you gather information and evidence to present your case effectively, whether that is to an insurance company or a jury. Give us a call at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
Is Fault Automatic in a Rear-end Collision Accident?
Although fault is almost always attributed to the car that hit you, it isn’t automatic. You still have to prove the basic requirements of any personal injury case, which includes:
- The driver owed you a duty of care
- That duty was breached or violated
- The violation caused your damages
- You suffered real damages or injuries
Meeting these requirements will prove negligence under Georgia law. That means that the other driver wasn’t acting reasonably based on the circumstances of the situation. Rear-end collisions are usually caused because someone wasn’t being reasonable—they were following too closely, weren’t paying attention, or were traveling too fast, for example.
Fault is almost always on the driver that hits you from behind. This is in large part because other drivers have a duty to follow you at a safe distance, which means giving themselves enough distance to stop if you have to brake suddenly in an emergency. There are, however, a few situations where the fault may be at least shared with you, as the driver who was rear-ended.
The following examples are situations where the fault might be attributed to the vehicle that was hit.
- A driver reverses suddenly, especially within traffic
- A driver stops suddenly to turn but then doesn’t make the turn
- A driver’s brake lights or turning lights aren’t working properly
- The vehicle malfunctions, but the driver doesn’t pull over immediately or address the situation quickly
In these situations, the car that’s hit will likely only be considered partially at fault, if at all. Thankfully, you can still recover money damages in McDonough if you are partly at fault for the accident. Your overall damages may be reduced, but you can often still recover a significant portion of your losses from the crash.
What Are the Most Common Injuries That Result from Rear-end Collision Accidents?
The sudden, jarring feeling that you get from a rear-end accident can cause a lot more problems than you may realize. While some victims will go through this type of accident completely unharmed, others may face long-term, chronic pain and mobility problems that they need to address for the rest of their lives. While you can deal with both of these types of injuries in your personal injury case, some of the most severe injuries are the ones that often end up going to court.
A few of the most common injuries that result from a rear-end crash include:
Soft Tissue Injuries
These usually center around the spine and neck. The body often suffers through a violent jolt in these types of accidents, and that can cause severe injuries, even if you can’t see them. You may damage nerves and ligaments, which may cause mobility problems and pain. The neck and shoulder blades are particularly susceptible. You may also experience dizziness, headaches, and vision problems as well. Whiplash, for example, is one of the most common damages that arise from rear-end accidents.
Concussion or Other Head Injuries
Concussions are somewhat common because your head may move forward quickly and hit the steering wheel or dashboard. But, you can actually get a concussion or other head trauma even when you don’t hit your head on anything. This is because the back and forth motion often associated with a rear-end crash can cause your brain to hit the side of your skull, causing problems such as internal bleeding and bruising. If you or a loved one has any symptoms of head trauma after an accident, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
Herniation or Other Spinal Issues
Your spine consists of bones and discs that separate each vertebra. Those discs can be pushed out of place or out of alignment after an accident. A herniated disc means that the outer fibers surrounding the disc have torn or ruptured, which allows the disc to slip out of place or move. These often occur in the lumbar region of the back (the low back), but they can happen in any part of the back or neck. This type of injury generally results in pain, problems with mobility, numbness, and tingling. It can also lead to paralysis in some severe situations.
Broken Bones
Broken arms, legs, hands, and wrists are common in rear-end accidents. Your body will often automatically react to this type of accident by trying to stop the forward movement of your body. But, your extremities generally can’t handle that type of force, which leads to broken bones, damaged or torn ligaments, and other issues. Although many people assume that a broken bone will naturally heal and it isn’t that serious, some broken bone injuries may never heal quite right—especially when they involve more complex structures, such as the wrists or ankles.
McDonough Rear-End Collision Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
Talk to a McDonough Rear-End Collision Accident Lawyer for Free
You don’t have to fight an insurance company alone after this type of accident—and you shouldn’t! Many rear-end accident cases end up getting undervalued merely because the victim thinks they can handle the situation on their own. Don’t make that mistake. Let John Foy & Associates help you determine what your case is really worth. Call us at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to the right to schedule your free consultation today.
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