Rear-end collisions usually result in liability (and the duty of providing financial compensation) for the rear driver. There are rare exceptions, but a rear-end collision often indicates that a motorist did not maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them. Even so, victims of rear-end accidents often face pushback from liable parties they are seeking compensation from.
Those injured in rear-end accidents can rely on a Fort Lauderdale car accident law firm to pursue the fair compensation they deserve. Your focus must be on recovery, and a lawyer will give your case the attention it requires
Why the Rear-Ending Motorist Usually Has Liability
Insurance companies and attorneys know the rear-ending motorist is typically responsible when a vehicle strikes another from behind. This is the case because:
- Motorists must maintain a safe distance: All drivers must ensure they have time to brake and avoid causing a collision if the vehicle in front of them comes to a sudden stop. Experienced motorists should know how much distance this requires at various speeds and err on the side of maintaining more distance (rather than less).
- Motorists must remain alert: Distracted driving is one of the greatest risks for rear-end accidents. Motorists who use their phones, gaze at sights outside the vehicle, or engage in other distracting behaviors risk hitting the vehicle in front of them.
- Motorists must drive defensively: A motorist must anticipate when changing road conditions or irrational actions by other motorists might happen. This means driving defensively, including braking quickly when vehicles in front of them stop suddenly.
- Motorists must keep their vehicles in good condition: An unsafe vehicle can contribute to a rear-end accident, particularly if it has faulty brakes. A motorist can be responsible for failing to ensure their vehicle’s safety.
There are some exceptions to this general rule. For instance, if a motorist stops in the middle of the highway for no apparent reason, that motorist will likely share fault for a resulting accident—even then, the following motorist should have allowed enough distance to stop.
A personal injury lawyer will determine who is at fault for your rear-end accident. Once they determine fault, they can establish liability and identify who owes you compensation.
Never Assume the Responsible Party Will Accept Liability
Even though the rear-ending motorist is often responsible, you should never assume the at-fault driver will accept responsibility without a fight. You may face:
- The denial of your insurance claim
- Allegations that you caused the accident (or at least share fault for the accident)
- Other attempts to deprive you of the fair compensation you are entitled to
These potential challenges are reasons to hire a car accident lawyer. A personal injury attorney will be ready for such bad-faith tactics and work to overcome them while you focus on recovery.
What to Do After a Rear-End Accidentf
The Mayo Clinic notes that rear-end collisions are associated with potentially serious accident injuries like whiplash. You can protect your health and your case by:
- Seeking prompt medical treatment
- Asking your doctor if medical imaging could help document your injuries
- Following your doctor’s treatment advice
- Hiring your rear-end accident lawyer as soon as possible
An attorney can help you find any medical care you need. While your health is vitally important, and you should not wait to get medical care, you should also not delay in hiring your lawyer.
Damages to Pursue After Your Accident
The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explains that rear-end car accidents result in more severe injuries and fatalities than other accident types. This means rear-end crash victims often experience:
- Medical costs: You may face the cost of emergency transport and care, hospital services, doctors’ visits, medical imaging, and other medical services. Your lawyer will consult your doctors to document your medical expenses.
- Professional harm: Rear-end accident victims often lose income, earning power, and other professional benefits due to accident-related injuries. Some injured parties are permanently disabled.
- Pain and suffering: Your lawyer will arrange for a mental health professional to diagnose any post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, emotional distress, or other forms of pain and suffering resulting from your motor vehicle accident in Fort Lauderdale.
You also likely face property damage expenses, including the cost of repairing your vehicle and securing temporary transportation. Your auto accident attorney will include all these financial losses in your settlement demands.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today for Your Free Rear-End Collision Consultation
Our car accident attorneys serving Fort Lauderdale face deadlines for filing car accident claims and personal injury lawsuits, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. We also must secure accident-related evidence as soon as possible, so don’t wait to speak with our law firm.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270 for your free consultation. We will handle the entire legal process while you focus on recovery.
