Rear-end collisions are among the most common motor vehicle accidents in the US. These accidents occur when the front bumper of one vehicle collides with the rear end of another vehicle. Because the accidents often occur when vehicles are travelling at low speeds, many are considered minor accidents. They also often result in minor injuries and relatively little damage.
Who is Liable?
Rear-end collisions often occur as a result of negligence on the part of one of the drivers – usually the driver who hits the other car from behind. Causes may include:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving while distracted using your phone, reading or looking behind you
- Trying to beat traffic lights and not paying attention to other vehicles
- Driving aggressively e.g. driving too fast, tailgating or cutting off other drivers
- Driving while fatigued or ill
However, it isn’t always easy to determine who is at fault in these accidents. Authorities usually rely on the conditions of the accident to determine this. In many cases, the driver who was tail-gating is considered the one at fault. Many insurance companies follow this liability rule too and it is rarely disputed.
Motorists are required to maintain a safe distance while following other vehicles. This allows adequate time for the following car to come to stop when the car in front breaks suddenly. It is for this reason the driver in the trailing car is generally found to be negligent when a rear-end collision occurs.
Common Injuries
Because many of these accidents occur at low speed, most of the resulting injuries aren’t severe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Motorists who are rear-ended can suffer serious and debilitating injuries even when the collision happened at a low speed.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries experienced in these types of accidents. The impact to the vehicle in the accident causes the body to jerk forward violently. The neck is whipped forward and back with a great deal of force. This can occur when the collision happens at both high and low speeds.
Your Legal Right
If you’ve been involved in a rear-end collision, it is important to seek medical attention immediately to determine if you have suffered a significant injury. Only then should you seek compensation for your injuries and damage to your vehicle. Most of these cases are settled before they go to trial. However, some cases go all the way to trial.
It is important to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. Your attorney will help you gather the evidence required to determine liability and file your claims. The assistance of an experienced attorney will improve your chances of obtaining full and fair compensation.