Rear-end collisions account for the majority of all vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you or a loved one was injured in a rear-end collision, a Los Angeles rear-end collisions lawyer may be able to help you seek damages, even if you bear partial fault for the car accident. You may qualify to seek compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If your loved one was killed in a crash, you may be able to sue for wrongful death benefits.
An attorney can help you determine who was liable for your accident and identify awards you may pursue. For more information about how a lawyer can help with your case, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233.
Rear-End Collisions: Fault and Causes
Usually, but not always, if you were the lead vehicle in a rear-end collision, the driver who hit you is at fault. Sometimes, the driver of the lead vehicle may bear responsibility if they were breaking traffic laws, driving recklessly, or behaving negligently.
The NHTSA found that up to 50 percent of rear-end collisions occur because of distracted driving, such as drivers eating and drinking, looking at their phones, or reaching for an object inside the vehicle. Other causes of rear-end collisions include:
- Stopping short
- Improper lane changes
- Speeding
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Bad weather
- Poor road conditions
- Faulty brake lights
- Following too closely
Another driver could be liable for your accident, or responsibility may fall on the vehicle manufacturer or entity responsible for maintaining the roadway. Even if you are partly at fault, you can still seek damages.
California operates under a model of pure comparative negligence, meaning you can still seek awards for a percentage of your losses from the accident.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end collisions accidents lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (844) 730-0233
Injuries
Sometimes, the shock and confusion of a crash prevent you from noticing you are injured at the scene. Once you are home, you should double-check yourself for injuries.
Whiplash is a neck injury commonly caused by rear-end collisions. According to Mayo Clinic, whiplash symptoms usually develop within days of the injury. They may include pain in the shoulders, upper back or arms, neck stiffness, loss of range of motion in the neck, and headaches.
Often, whiplash will heal with time, pain medication, and exercise, but sometimes the injury can have long-lasting complications and cause chronic neck pain. If you discover any injuries after your rear-end collision, see a doctor immediately.
At the scene of the crash, make sure that you exchange information with the other driver and file a report (as you are legally required to do so). You should do this regardless of whether any involved parties seem injured.
Los Angeles Rear-End Collisions Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Insurance
Hopefully, you obtained the other driver’s contact and insurance information at the scene of the accident. If not, an attorney may be able to help you get this information.
California is an at-fault insurance state, meaning each driver’s insurance company must pay depending on the driver’s degree of liability. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), drivers must carry some form of insurance, with minimum liability requirements of:
- $15,000 for injury and/or death to one person
- $30,000 for injury and/or death to more than one person
- $5,000 for damage to property
Sometimes, the driver who hit you may be uninsured, or the insurance amounts they carry may not cover your losses. It also is in the best financial interest of insurance companies to pay out as little in claims as possible. In these instances, you have the right to hire a Los Angeles rear-end collisions lawyer to help you negotiate or seek awards in court.
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Statutes of Limitations
If you believe you may want to pursue legal action, it is important to note the statutes of limitations for personal injury and property damage claims, as well as wrongful death if it applies to your case. California allows two years to take action for injury or death, and three years for the recovery of personal property. If these time limits expire, you likely will not be able to seek awards in court.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC for Help
The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC has helped thousands of clients across the country win millions of dollars in settlements in car accident lawsuits. We believe in helping victims fight for justice, whether that means taking on large insurance companies or automobile manufacturers. We do not back down from tough cases, and our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
If you were harmed by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, they should share in the costs of your recovery. Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you fight for compensation so you can focus on healing.
A Los Angeles rear-end collisions lawyer can help through every step of your case. Our team can help gather evidence to support your claims, handle insurance negotiations, or represent you in court, if necessary. You pay nothing out of pocket and nothing up-front. We do not collect a fee unless we win your case.
For more information about how a lawyer may be able to work for you, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for a risk-free consultation.
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