For anyone involved in a rear-end accident, finding a path to full and fair recovery can prove difficult. An analysis by the University of Michigan found that rear-end collisions happen five times more in urban areas than in rural areas. Traffic conditions in Kansas City frequently force drivers to maneuver through congested roads at all hours of the day.
To understand the civil dispute process after a rear-end collision, you can work with a car accident lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Our team can give you all the information you need to seek fair compensation for your losses after an accident. Give us a call today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review and receive more information about working with a Kansas City rear-end collisions lawyer.
About Rear-End Collision Accidents
Traffic safety agencies classify rear-end collisions as when the front bumper of one car collides with another vehicle’s tail end. More car accident injuries come from rear-end collisions than any other type of car crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of course, the extent of injuries will depend on the circumstances of the case.
Take note that the NHTSA explicitly mentions that the design of frontal airbags typically does not protect drivers or passengers from the impacts of rear-end crashes. While more recent car models come equipped with safety features that help drivers avoid impending rear-end crashes, they won’t prevent all accidents—and obviously do not help people who drive older cars without such technology.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end collisions lawyer serving Kansas City, call (844) 730-0233
Factors in Rear-End Collisions
When you become involved in a rear-end collision, you should consider multiple factors before accepting or denying responsibility. When you stop and report the accident to state officials, per the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) guidelines, law enforcement might determine fault. State laws also require accident reporting within one year of the accident for any crash involving uninsured drivers that results in more than $500 property damage or any personal injuries or death.
This requirement does not necessarily limit your options for seeking compensation from other drivers. Here are some critical scenarios to consider before filing a lawsuit:
- Multiple vehicle pileup: In a chain of rear-end crashes, assigning fault involves each driver’s circumstances.
- Slow driving or sudden stops: In Missouri, continuously driving below the speed limit in the left lane can make one liable for an accident. The left lane is considered a passing zone, and according to Missouri Revised Statutes §304.015, non-passing drivers must return to the right lane.
- Reverse rear-end accident: While this type of accident won’t typically happen in a high-stakes scenario like highway driving, you could hold a person who strikes a car while driving in reverse liable for the damages.
- Hit and run: If someone strikes the rear end of a vehicle and drives away for any reason, it could result in criminal charges. While hit and runs generally do not prevent victims from filing lawsuits, it can pose some difficulties.
The list of rear-end collision factors above does not exhaust all the possible nuances of this type of accident case. A Kansas City rear-end collisions lawyer can work directly with victims to understand the full scope of the accident and offer legal advice. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today for a free case review with a team member.
Kansas City Rear-End Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Causes of a Rear-End Collision
The more nuanced aspects of fault deal with the causes and factors that contributed to the rear-end collision. Your accident risk factors might include the following:
- Visibility issues: Modern vehicle design can obstruct visibility on the road, usually from seeing over the entirety of the car hood or through the entire rear windshield.
- Distracted driving: Even when looking forward, drivers risk rear-end collisions from everyday distractions like scanning the road and checking mirrors. In other cases, distracted driving is a distinct choice, like texting or skipping through radio stations.
- Speeding: Drivers have an obligation to follow the speed limit, plus allow room for stopping in an emergency. Speeding exacerbates the chances of a rear-end collision.
The list of factors above is far from exhaustive of all the reasons a rear-end collision can happen. However, this list provides some possible starting points for many people involved in this type of accident.
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Legal Options for Rear-End Collision Victims
You can work with a lawyer to gain perspective on the viability of a lawsuit against negligent drivers, bad faith insurance companies, and more. Missouri follows at-fault insurance rules, so injured drivers can file claims through the liable driver’s insurance policy for compensation. You can work individually to pursue wrongly denied insurance claims, but legal representation could prove helpful.
Building Your Case
A car accident lawyer can plan, organize, and initiate legal action on your behalf. Rear-end collision litigation can become complex, which you might not want to navigate alone while trying to make a full recovery.
The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, will handle the entire litigation process for you. We can negotiate with insurance representatives for a fair settlement or collect evidence and present it in a courtroom if the case escalates to that point.
Missouri follows a comparative negligence rule, so if a court finds that you have some degree of fault for the accident, that finding could affect your settlement.
The statute of limitations for most lawsuits in Missouri, including personal injury cases, is up to five years from the date of the injury, according to Missouri Revised Statutes §516.120. However, you might have additional litigation options if the deadline has expired. You could consult a Kansas City rear-end collisions lawyer to determine whether an exception applies to your case.
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Get Advice From a Car Accident Lawyer
The lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, look to represent victims of rear-end collisions who need help gaining fair compensation for their injuries. You should not have to pay the costs of someone else’s negligence. A Kansas City rear-end collisions lawyer from our firm can help you fight for awards that cover your medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Call our offices today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review with a staff member.
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