Rear-end collisions commonly occur on the nation’s streets. In a 2007 report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that rear-end collisions accounted for nearly 29 percent of all traffic accidents. These accidents varied in severity from simple fender benders to fearsome crashes with severe injuries and totaled vehicles.
If you have suffered injuries in a rear-end collision due to another driver’s negligent actions, you could pursue compensation for your losses. An Atlanta rear-end collisions lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you build your claim for compensation. No matter how tough your case might appear, we do not shy away from the challenge.
Call (844) 730-0233 for a free case review with a member of our team. If you qualify, we can take your case on contingency, which means you pay nothing upfront for our services.
The Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions can result from several negligent or reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, driving while under the influence, or drowsy driving. Ultimately, we can narrow the primary causes of rear-end collisions to two.
Following Too Closely (Tailgating)
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-49, it is illegal to follow another vehicle “more closely than is reasonable and prudent,” such that a driver cannot adjust in time to changing road conditions. Speed, traffic, and weather conditions should all influence drivers’ decisions regarding the safe operation of their vehicles.
Following too closely is a sign of another negligent driving behavior—aggressive driving. Aggressive drivers will ride another car’s tail to intimidate the driver in front of them. They will slam on their brakes, weave through traffic, and fail to yield to passing vehicles. When aggressive drivers become so focused on the car in front of them that they fail to pay attention to the rest of the road, they could cause a rear-end collision.
Distracted Driving
Anytime a driver’s attention draws away from the safe operation of their vehicle, they run the risk of causing an accident. Distractions can include anything that affects the eyes (for example, glancing at a child in the backseat), hands (eating or drinking), or mind (daydreaming).
One of the most dangerous distracted driving behaviors is cellphone use. Cellphone use affects all three distracted driving categories. Because of the increase in accidents caused by distracted driving in recent years, Georgia has instituted restrictions on the use of wireless devices under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241. Basically, you may not hold your cellphone while operating your vehicle, though you may use hands-free devices for communication.
If you have suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, an Atlanta rear-end collisions lawyer can help. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today for a free case consultation with a team member.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end collisions accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call (844) 730-0233
Injuries in Rear-End Collisions
The injury most associated with rear-end collisions is whiplash. The Mayo Clinic explains how whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden, violent motion of the head as it snaps forward and then back, resulting in strains and sprains to the neck’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Most often, the injury heals in a few weeks on its own, but in more severe cases, the pain persists for some time. Symptoms might include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Numbness in the hands and arms
- Loss of movement in the neck
- Blurry vision
More severe rear-end crashes can also lead to injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and spinal injuries. If you have not seen a medical professional following your rear-end collision, you might want to schedule an appointment, as some injuries do not appear until several days after the crash.
Atlanta Rear-End Collisions Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Losses You Can Recover
If your injuries were not your fault, paying for them should not be your responsibility. While you recover from your accident, you start accruing losses besides the obvious car repair and medical bills. An Atlanta rear-end collisions lawyer can help you determine the exact value of your losses. This value will include your tangible and intangible damages. You could claim compensation for:
- Lost wages, benefits, and bonuses.
- Reduced earnings potential due to disability.
- Continuing medical care, such as physical therapy.
- Home modifications to accommodate a disability.
- Diminished quality of life.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
- Pain and suffering.
- Out-of-pocket costs.
If you have lost a loved one in a rear-end collision, the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, is available to help you pursue a wrongful death claim. We can handle your claim, so you have the time to mourn. We can pursue:
- Burial and funeral costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
In accidents that involve truly grievous and heinous acts of negligence, courts have awarded victims punitive damages.
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Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Lawsuits
A statute of limitations is a legal deadline to file a lawsuit. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in your read-end collision, while O.C.G.A. § 9-3-32 allows four years for a property damage lawsuit.
These deadlines have importance for a couple of reasons:
- You will need as much time as possible to investigate your accident and build a case.
- Insurance companies can use the deadline as leverage during negotiations.
Insurance companies do not want to go to court any more than you do. However, if you cannot come to terms on a fair settlement for your injuries, and the deadline for filing a lawsuit passes, the judge might bar your case from ever going to trial. A car accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and, if talks break down, make sure to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out.
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Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
If you have suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, an Atlanta rear-end collisions lawyer can assist you with your compensation claim. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case analysis with a team member. If we believe we can help you, we can work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay us nothing unless we negotiate a settlement or win a court award in your favor.
You have suffered enough, and our goal is to prevent you from experiencing any further suffering from your accident. You deserve the time to heal and recover. We will fight to hold the at-fault party responsible for your losses. Call us today.
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