Rear-end collisions happen when a vehicle slams into the back of the car in front of it. While there are many safeguards in place to prevent this type of crash, they still happen often. As a result, many drivers suffer injuries through no fault of their own. A rear-end collision can leave you with a variety of injuries, as well as medical and property damage expenses that can interfere with your life.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and recover compensation for your expenses. You can start by consulting a Tallahassee rear-end collisions lawyer to see what your legal options are. Contact the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation with our legal team.
Types of Rear-End Collision Injuries
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions comprise about 29% of traffic accidents, making them the most common car accident type. You might experience various kinds of injuries in rear-end crashes, which might include:
- Bruises: Bruises are a common injury from car accidents since it is possible to bounce around inside the car during the accident. Many people end up with bruises on their limbs and across their chests from seatbelts.
- Neck injuries: Neck injuries also commonly occur because the accident’s jerking motion puts a lot of strain on the neck muscles. In minor accidents, many rear-ended drivers develop a condition called whiplash. It is a condition where the movement of the car accident strained the neck muscles.
- Spine injuries: Spine injuries can happen in the same way that neck injuries occur—the accident’s quick forward and backward motion. The strain placed on the back muscles may be too much for them to handle, and the spine itself may suffer damage when the back muscles get overpowered.
- Friction burns: A friction burn is the type of burn that develops when the skin rubs against a harder object. The friction generates heat and can burn the skin in the process. These burns occur in car accidents due to the pressure placed on the skin from seatbelts.
- Brain injuries: A brain injury such as a concussion happens because the brain has no cushioning inside your skull. The impact of a car accident can cause your brain to bounce around inside your head and cause damage. In some cases, the damage is minor. In other cases, it can lead to traumatic brain injury and disability.
- Disabilities: A disability is a condition where an injury developed into a permanent inability to do something. People with disabilities may not be able to work and may struggle to do specific activities in their daily lives. Severe car accidents can cause mental and physical disabilities.
- Death: A car accident could cause severe enough injuries that they turn fatal. Rear-end collisions account for a significant percentage of annual car-related deaths.
The key to minimizing the damage from a car accident is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner you can get medical care, the less likely you will experience long-term or lasting problems. If you have not sought medical attention already for injuries suffered in a rear-end collision, you should immediately schedule an appointment. Documenting your injuries will help when making an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit to recover damages. All drivers need to have insurance coverage. If the liable party is not insured, however, you still have options.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end collisions lawyer serving Tallahassee, call (844) 730-0233
Determining Liability
Tallahassee drivers are subject to Florida Statues 316.0895, which requires the following driver to maintain a “reasonable and prudent” distance between their vehicle and the one in front, accounting for speed, traffic, and road conditions. This requirement establishes the presumption in personal injury law that rear-end drivers are liable for a rear-end collision. Still, court decisions have created criteria for those drivers to rebut that presumption, including:
- The front driver had non-functioning taillights.
- The front driver stopped suddenly or unexpectedly.
- The front driver performed an illegal maneuver.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a driver following too close behind you, a Tallahassee rear-end collisions lawyer could help you prove that the rear driver failed to maintain a safe following distance. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can investigate the accident and collect evidence such as police reports and witness testimony to show that you did not instigate the collision. Call us today to get started.
Tallahassee Rear-End Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Statute of Limitations
If you suffered injuries in a rear-end accident, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage expenses, and pain and suffering.
To recover an award, you must file your case before the statute of limitations expires. A statute of limitations is a legal time limit for taking legal action. Florida Statute of Limitations 95.11 sets the statute of limitations at four years for personal injury and property damage cases from the accident date to file your lawsuit with the court.
While four years may seem like a lot of time, a Tallahassee rear-end collisions lawyer will want as much time as possible to build the case. The longer that you wait to begin building your case, evidence can become harder to obtain, and witnesses move away, making them harder to find.
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Settlement vs. Trial
One thing to remember about filing a lawsuit is that most cases do not make it to trial. Going to trial takes a long time since the courts routinely face a backup of cases. It is more likely that you will receive a settlement offer from the other party’s lawyer once you file a suit.
Before you agree to a settlement, you might want to have a car accident lawyer assess the offer to make sure that it meets your needs. Many first-time offers do not consider the long-term impact of the accident and the associated costs. Having an attorney review the proposal and possibly present a counteroffer that accurately assesses your current and future needs might benefit you long-term.
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Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, you might recover compensation through an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit. You might want to consult a Tallahassee rear-end collisions lawyer to discuss your legal options. Contact the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 for a free case review with a team member.
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