Rear-end Car Accidents
One of the most common types of car accidents is rear-end collisions. A rear-end car accident is one in which the front of one vehicle makes contact with the back of another. Rear-end accidents can occur anywhere, but are especially common at intersections. Rear-end accidents usually do not involve high speeds, but they can still be very damaging.
When a rear-end accident occurs, victims in the Lakeland, FL, and Winter Haven, FL, area can work with car accident lawyer Daniel D. Moody to pursue compensation for accident damages. The legal team at Moody Law will thoroughly investigate an accident to prove liability so that our clients are justly compensated for the full extent of their losses.
Causes of Rear-end Car Accidents
Rear-end collisions occur when a trailing driver fails to notice (or respond appropriately) when a leading vehicle has stopped or slowed down. Most often these types of accidents take place at or near intersections, but they can also occur on highways and freeways, especially when traffic conditions are heavy. The most common causes of rear-end accidents are:
- Tailgating (following another vehicle too closely)
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while fatigued
- Vehicle malfunction or mechanical failure
Common Rear-end Accident Injuries
Rear-end accidents do not usually involve excessive speeds, but even a low-impact rear-end accident can result in serious injuries. When a vehicle is struck from behind, the head, neck, and upper back are likely to quickly snap in a back and forth motion. This can cause:
- Whiplash
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Closed head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
In addition to these upper body injuries, a rear-end car crash can also result in injuries such as contusions, cuts, broken bones, and internal organ damage.
Insurance companies are often quick to deny or downplay rear-end accident injuries, especially those related to whiplash. However, soft tissue injuries can cause significant pain, and may result in long-term side effects. It is important that rear-end accident victims seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if injuries are not immediately obvious. Medical documentation is the best way to prove physical injuries and hold liable parties accountable for these types of damages.
Liability for Rear-end Car Accidents
Rear-end car accidents are usually considered open-and-shut cases, because liability nearly always falls on the trailing driver, or who struck the other vehicle. While the rear driver is found negligent in most cases, there are a few situations where the lead driver, or other parties, may share at least partial responsibility for the accident. Rear-end accident liability may come into question if:
- The lead driver was brake-checking the tail driver
- The lead driver reversed suddenly
- The lead driver failed to pull over after experiencing a mechanical failure
- The lead driver’s brake lights were broken
- The tail driver experienced a vehicle malfunction, such as brake failure
In these situations our lawyers gather evidence to recreate the accident so that we can determine exactly what caused the collision, and who was responsible.
Contact Daniel D. Moody at Moody Law
If you have been injured in a rear-end car accident, do not feel pressured to accept a quick settlement. Car accident lawyer Daniel D. Moody can work on your behalf to pursue maximum compensation for accident damages. To find out how we can assist you following a collision, send us a message online, or call our Lakeland law firm at (863) 284-9090.
