DID YOU GET HIT FROM BEHIND? FLORIDA REAR-END CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents in Florida. According to The Washington Post, about 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur on the highways each year in the United States. Although rear-end collisions are not as fatal as other types of crashes, such as head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, or truck accidents, rear-end impacts are not without risk. Rear-end crashes account for 170,000 deaths each year and another 500,000 hurt.
Like everything, rear-end collisions have misconceptions too. I am sure you have heard that rear-end accidents are always the driver’s fault in the rear? If you were involved in a rear-end collision in Florida, pay attention to these facts regarding what you need to know about the causes and faults of rear-end collisions, common injuries, and how to obtain compensation if you are injured.
Causes of rear-end collisions and determining fault
The most common cause of rear-end collisions is when the rear vehicle is trailing the car in front too close. Risks are increased when a car is following another vehicle. If the car in front stops abruptly or slows down, the car in the rear will not have adequate time to slow or stop without rear-ending the vehicle in front.
Following a vehicle too close combined with distracted driving can amount to a fatal decision. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that 87 percent of rear-end collisions could have been avoided if the rear driver was more alert while driving.
Other common reasons accounting for rear-end collision include; speeding, aggressive driving, and faulty brakes. The rear driver is not always to blame for rear-end crashes. Situations where the front driver or another party may be at fault include:
- A rear-end collision involving three vehicles. The third vehicle hits the car in the middle with such force, causing the middle vehicle to collide with the car in front.
- The front driver brakes suddenly, without cause, in an unsafe manner.
- The front driver makes an illegal and unsafe lane change or turns in front of the rear driver.
- The front driver did not replace the broken or faulty brake lights.
- The front vehicle can not stop when necessary due to a manufacturer brake defect.
- A front driver intentionally brakes or abruptly stops with aggressive actions.
Determining fault in a rear-end crash can be more complex than it initially appears in some accident cases.
Common rear-end crash injuries
While some rear-end crashes are dismissed as minor fender benders that do not cause injury, other rear-end collisions can cause severe injury to fatal, especially when traveling at high velocities. Common types of rear-end injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Face injuries caused by the airbag release
- Injuries caused by the ejection of the passenger/driver when seat belts are not used
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and bruises
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
Depending on the severity and type of the injury, a person may suffer permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability; incur thousands of dollars in medical bills; cope with job loss, and develop psychological damage. Accidents with serious injuries can also indirectly affect the family members of the accident victim.
How to recover compensation after a rear-end collision in Florida
If you are involved in a rear-end collision and suffer losses, you must prove the at-fault driver to recover compensation. Hiring a car accident attorney can be beneficial to you and save you money, time, and sanity. Florida attorneys will request a copy of the police report, obtain witness information, work with accident reconstruction experts, and collect your medical records and expenses.
Our attorneys at Advocates USA can help you with everything after your accident. We will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of your accident to calculating damages, filing your claim, negotiating a fair settlement to filing a lawsuit. We negotiate with insurance adjusters and review all settlement offers to ensure your interests are protected, and we will fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Got rear-ended in Florida? Talk to Florida Accident Lawyers | Advocates USA
Many people don’t know what to do after crashing. When you are in an accident and need legal advice to recover compensation, you can rely on our West Palm Beach, Florida law firm at Advocates USA. Call us today at 1-800-872-4878 or write us a message online via our contact form for more information or to start a claim for your damages and injuries.
