Rear end collisions are the most common type of car accident in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 40% of crashes that occur every year are rear-end collisions—that is a staggering 2.5 million accidents! In fact, that means that there is a rear-end accident roughly every eight seconds somewhere in the U.S.
These collisions are very common in Norcross, GA as well. Although most of these types of accidents are relatively minor, they can be very serious and cause long-term health problems. You may not even realize just how incapacitating the accident really is until days or even weeks after it occurs. A Norcross rear-end collision accident lawyer will be able to help you get money for your injuries and damages after this type of accident happens to you.
John Foy & Associates has over twenty-five years of experience dealing with rear-end collision claims. Let our team put that experience and know-how to good use for you. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
How do I Prove It Was the Other Driver’s Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
Proving fault in a rear-end collision case is often easier than in any other type of car accident. In fact, the car that hit you is almost always at fault in these situations. But, fault isn’t automatic. You must still prove that the other driver acted recklessly or carelessly.
Showing these characteristics will indicate that the other driver was “negligent.” Proving negligence is required to get money damages from your claim.
The specific facts of your case will dictate how you can prove fault. For example, imagine the other driver admits that he was texting when the accident happened. In that case, it would be fairly easy to show that the driver was not paying attention, and his inattention caused the accident. Other situations are far less straightforward. Your Norcross rear-end accident attorney might be able to use the following arguments in your case.
- The other driver was following too closely. Basic rules of the road require that drivers stay far enough away from other vehicles that they can stop without hitting the person in front of them. When a driver is too close, they can’t stop fast enough to prevent an accident. This is true even if the other driver was paying close attention just before the crash occurred.
- The other driver was driving too fast. Speed can play a significant role in rear-end collisions. If you can prove that the driver didn’t slow down before the crash, that may go to show that the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident. You might be able to prove that they didn’t slow down by the absence of skid marks where the accident took place, for example. There are other ways to provide evidence of speed, too. Your rear end accident attorney can help you gather evidence to show the other driver’s speed just before the crash.
- The damage to the vehicle was directly on the rear-end bumper. Showing that the damage to the car is straight across the bumper is a good sign that a rear-end crash occurred. If the damage is off to one side, for example, the other driver might try to claim that they swerved to miss you. Although this evidence doesn’t entirely prove fault, it does help.
- The police report indicates that it was a rear-end crash. Police reports can be extremely helpful in any kind of car accident. A police officer provides an unbiased review of the collision. They also often indicate how they think the crash happened and who was at fault. In some cases, the other driver may be cited for failing to maintain a safe distance or failing to keep control of their vehicle.
There are several other ways that you might be able to prove fault, too. Your attorney can walk you through these additional options.
What Is the Most Common Injury from a Rear-End Accident?
Rear-end accidents are similar, so they have a lot of the same injuries or damages. Some of these can be hard to spot. It’s a good idea to see a doctor or other medical professional after a rear-end accident, even if you think that the crash was minor.
The most common injuries in rear-end crashes are soft tissue, flexion/extension injuries. The body jolts forward and backward in a rear-end collision. This type of sudden movement is hard on your ligaments and joints. It’s particularly hard on your spine. You can easily suffer back and neck problems after a rear-end crash. This type of injury is commonly known as “whiplash.” In this type of injury, you may experience:
- Pain in the neck, between the shoulder blades, or back
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vision impairment
- Loss of range of movement
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Sleep issues
These problems may not be apparent right away. In most cases, symptoms will start within 24 hours. But, some symptoms may not appear until a few days after the accident. Serious injuries that affect that neck and back can last for the rest of your life in some cases.
In fact, the National Safety Council reports that 80% of those who have whiplash will have soreness and pain for more than a week. Another 50% of those with whiplash will have symptoms for more than a year.
Other injuries that are often caused by rear-end accidents include air bag and seatbelt injuries, back injuries, and head and brain injuries.
You may be able to recover money damages, even if you have relatively minor injuries. It’s essential to see a doctor so you can present your medical evidence in court or to the insurance company.
Talk to a Norcross Rear-End Collision Lawyer for Free
Rear-end collision cases are often much easier to win than other types of car accident cases. But, you still need to show that the other driver was at fault and that you suffered injuries or property damage because of the accident—and the insurer will be fighting you. John Foy & Associates can help you put these pieces together and get the most money possible in your case. Don’t wait!
Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
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