Rear-end collisions can cause you to suffer through physical injury, visiting doctors for treatment then fretting about how you will manage to pay all the medical expenses. On top of it all, your income takes a hit while you miss time at work.
You have already taken on more than you deserve with your physical pain. Do not add the stress of financial questions further burden you. The law most likely supports your right to receive compensation from the negligent driver who rear-ended you.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, rear-end collision lawyers serving Portland can review your case, inform you of your legal options, and represent you in a fight to recover your damages. Call us today for a free consultation at (844) 730-0233.
Your Top Priority Is to See a Doctor
Rear-end accidents happen frequently, which could explain why some people dismiss these collisions as not serious. Please keep in mind, however, that just because you do not see any visible signs of an injury after your rear-end collision does not mean you emerged from the accident unscathed. Quite possibly, the pain from your injury will manifest days or even weeks after your accident.
A doctor will know how and where to check for possible injuries based on their understanding of the physical problems that can arise from a rear-end collision. If you wait until the symptoms of your injuries show up, insurers and courts might not connect the injuries to the car crash.
By visiting with a medical professional soon after your accident, you walk away with clear documentation linking your injuries to the rear-end collision.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end collisions lawyer serving Portland, call (844) 730-0233
Examples of Injuries from a Rear-End Collision
Even rear-end collisions that happen at low speeds can cause serious injuries. Whiplash originates from the powerful force that a rear-end collision exerts on the human body.
Specifically, whiplash results from your head being forcefully and rapidly thrown backward, then forward. Such a series of motions can damage:
- Disks between bones
- Muscles
- Bones in spine
- Nerves
- Ligaments
- Neck tissues
According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with whiplash usually must follow a treatment plan consisting of exercise and medication, after which the ailment might dissipate. In some cases, however, whiplash causes patients to suffer from chronic neck pain and other enduring complications.
Portland Rear-End Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Symptoms of Whiplash
Symptoms of whiplash typically appear within a few days of a rear-end collision. If you have not seen a doctor after your accident, and you experience the below symptoms, schedule a medical visit right away so you can begin treatment and reduce complications.
- Stiffness and pain in your neck
- Increase in pain when you move your neck
- Decreased range of motion in your neck
- Pain or tenderness (upper back, shoulder, or arms)
- Numbness or tingling in arms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches stemming from the base of your skull
The sooner you seek medical treatment, the more easily your physician can treat your injury and document a connection between your whiplash and the rear-end collision you experienced.
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Liability for Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions generate the largest number of injury-causing crashes, at 33 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Contrary to common belief, the rear driver does not always bear responsibility for a rear-end collision. In some cases, the front driver might suddenly and intentionally slam on their brakes or cut off the rear driver then brake. In these cases, a court might find the front driver at least partially at fault for the collision.
The “duty of care” doctrine that courts consider when evaluating a party’s liability in a rear-end collision consist of four elements, as follows:
- Duty: The at-fault party owed a duty to act in a way that would keep others from harm or injury.
- Breach: The at-fault party violated their duty of care.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s breach of duty caused the rear-end collision.
- Damages: The rear-end collision caused physical, financial, and emotional losses.
When you seek compensation for your crash-related injuries, you must prove the above elements in a way that a court will find compelling. This involves knowing how to unearth the right evidence to support your case.
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Investigating Your Rear-End Collision
When you hire a Portland rear-end collision lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC, you need not worry about investigating your crash, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, or anything other than physically recovering from your injuries.
Our team will immediately commence an investigation into the circumstances that led to—as well as the outcomes that followed—your rear-end collision.
- Our investigative efforts will include:
- Traveling to the scene of the accident
- Taking photos
- Reviewing photos taken at the accident
- Obtaining and reviewing videos from phones and/or nearby surveillance cameras
- Interviewing witnesses
- Seeking a copy of the police accident report
- Gathering your injury-related medical records
- Obtaining copies of your wage statements from your employer
Using the evidence from this investigation, our lawyers will paint a complete picture of how your collision occurred. We will add reports about the long-term impacts of your injuries from experts in the areas of economics medicine, occupational therapy, and psychology.
Recoverable Damages from a Rear-End Collision
Every rear-end collision differs in the extent of injuries that victims suffer from the crash. The severity of your injuries determines the amount your lawyer will demand from the at-fault party’s insurance company or at trial.
Our legal team will calculate your losses and submit them to the insurer. Some of the types of damages you might receive in a settlement or court award include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Pain and suffering
If your loved one experienced a rear-end collision and died from the injuries they suffered from the accident, you may want to consider pursuing a wrongful death action. Our lawyers can help you with this effort.
A Portland Rear-End Collisions Lawyer Can Fight on Your Behalf
Ben Crump Law, PLLC does not shy away from tough cases. When you hire us, we will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Remember, we charge you a legal fee only if and when we win your case. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation.
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