How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Rear-End Collision in a Car Accident?
When you endure a rear-end collision in a car accident, the forces the crash exerts on your body can cause significant injuries. Some can take weeks or even months to heal. Those with serious injuries could miss a lot of time at work or never return to their previous job. Some crash victims live with the lasting effects of their injuries for the rest of their lives.
If you suffered injuries in a Florida rear-end crash, a car accident attorney from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is here to help. Our Florida accident attorneys handle insurance claims and lawsuits so collision victims can focus on treatment and recovery. Call (954) 633-8270 to learn more.
What Happens to Your Body in a Rear-End Collision?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
rear-end crashes comprised 32.5 percent of all accidents in 2019 and caused significantly more injuries than any other accident type. This is surprising to some. Many people do not think of rear-end collisions as serious injury accidents, but they can be.
When another car collides with the rear of your vehicle, the forces exerted on your body are often extreme. Your body slams against the seat, seatbelt, and other objects in the car. You could suffer a wide range of injuries, including:
- Neck and back injuries, such as whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue joint injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal injuries and bleeding
How long it takes to recover from your physical injuries following a collision will depend greatly on your diagnosis and treatment plan. Some relatively minor injuries can heal within a week or two. Neck pain often disappears slowly over a few weeks. A fracture could heal in six to eight weeks. Other injuries might become chronic or leave the victim with a lasting impairment.
How Long Does It Take to Recover Compensation After a Rear-End Collision?
Just like there is no set time for your physical recovery, securing financial compensation after a rear-end crash could take a few weeks, a year, or longer. The unique circumstances of your case matter.
In many cases, getting money as quickly as possible is not the ultimate goal. While everyone wants to get their payout and move on with their life, there are other considerations. Our Miami car accident attorneys help victims identify their options and seek the maximum compensation available based on their damages and the applicable laws. This process could require:
- Filing a claim based on their no-fault policy
- Seeking property damages through a fault-based claim
- Building a fault-based case against the at-fault driver
- Suing the at-fault driver for appropriate compensation
Ensuring our clients recover fair compensation is more important than how long it takes. We do not believe crash victims should have to pay for their future care or other related expenses out of their own pocket.
We want to seek fault-based coverage of their expenses and losses when possible. In doing so, we can hold the at-fault driver accountable for a rear-end crash and protect our client’s financial stability today and in the future.
Understanding How Florida Insurance Claims Work
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV),
Florida requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) policies. This policy covers about 80 percent of their medical bills and 60 percent of lost income after a crash. It is a no-fault policy, meaning they do not have to prove what happened and who was responsible to recover compensation.
Filing a claim based on your PIP policy is often the quickest way to get the money you need to pay your bills. However, it is not always the only option. Under certain circumstances, a crash victim can sue the at-fault driver to recover compensation.
The process often takes longer when there is a fault-based claim or lawsuit. Preparing to take a rear-end collision case to trial could take months. It might be a year or longer before the case makes it to the count’s docket. However, fault-based claims allow the victim to pursue additional types of damages and get appropriate compensation for serious injuries. The recoverable damages could include the following:
- Pain and suffering losses
- Medical bills, current and future
- Income losses
- Diminished earning capacity
- Other related expenses
Discuss Your Florida Rear-End Collision With Our Team Today
The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato provide free case assessments for crash victims. If another driver hit you from behind, our team will review your case and explain your options for compensation today. Call (954) 633-8270 or use our online contact form to contact us. We take rear-end collision cases on a contingency-fee-basis, so we only collect payment if we settle or win your case.
