Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequent types of roadway incidents. They also have a lower likelihood of causing death. Nonetheless, they often cause severe injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows that some common injuries stemming from rear-impact vehicle crashes might not be immediately apparent at the accident scene and can progressively worsen with time.
If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries due to a rear-end collision, reach out to a Los Angeles car accident lawyer to explore your legal remedies. While you seek legal representation, you can review the leading causes and resultant injuries of rear-ending here.
The 15 Main Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Most rear-end collisions occur due to one of 15 main causes. From brake failure to distracted driving to driver inexperience, the causes of rear-impact crashes often lead to various types of accident injuries. Let’s examine the 15 main causes of rear-end accidents to see if any of them fit the circumstances of your case.
1. Brake Failure
Defective or inadequately serviced braking systems can cause problems with halting, heightening the likelihood of a back-end crash. Malfunctioning brakes often contribute to roadway collisions in California. When braking systems fail, the brake pads might not generate enough friction to bring the vehicle to a halt. If brakes fail while a car descends a slope, the outcome of a rear-end impact can prove disastrous, even deadly. Schedule routine vehicle safety checks to reduce the risk of brake failure.
2. Burnt-Out Brake Lights
Burnt-out brake lights fail to alert drivers that the car in front of them is braking, which can lead to a rear-end collision, especially at night and in foggy conditions. Regularly check your brake lights with a friend or family member to make sure they function correctly.
3. Distracted Driving
A primary contributor to rear-end accidents involves inattentive driving. Behaviors like messaging, phone conversations, eating, or changing the radio settings pull a motorist’s focus away from the roadway.
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) characterizes distracted driving as “anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or hands off the steering wheel.” Such diversions can be visual, physical, or mental and may involve:
- Consuming food or beverages behind the wheel
- Conversing or engaging with others in the vehicle
- Engaging in personal grooming
- Mentally drifting or losing focus
- Operating the GPS or a map application
- Sending or reading messages
Each moment a motorist’s focus strays from the roadway increases the chances of colliding with the vehicle ahead. If a driver becomes preoccupied while typing a text or adjusting the radio, the likelihood of crashing into another car at a junction rises significantly.
4. Driver Inexperience
Novice motorists might have difficulty estimating space and response timing, which raises the probability of back-end crashes. Despite following all traffic laws, inexperienced drivers may not apply the brakes in time.
5. Drunk Driving
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol in California and throughout the United States is unlawful and classified as a criminal act. A blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above is recognized as illegal intoxication for drivers aged 21 years. A BAC of 0.01% is enough for a drunk driving charge for anyone 20 years of age or younger.
Regrettably, many motorists overestimate their ability to drive safely after consuming alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the common issues experienced by a person with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% include:
- Diminished impulse control
- Disrupted memory function
- Impaired muscle function affecting eyesight, speaking, hearing, and physical stability
- Slower mental processing abilities
- Trouble recognizing hazardous situations
It does not require a large amount of alcohol to impair a driver’s reflexes and decision-making. Even one or two beverages can adversely affect the driving skills of an otherwise capable motorist.
Driving under the influence of drugs proves similarly hazardous. An individual affected by substances like cannabis, methamphetamines, opioids, or any medication that hinders mental or physical function poses a serious risk of causing a devastating rear-end collision. Cannabis delays a driver’s response time, while methamphetamines may trigger hostile, dangerous actions, such as following another vehicle too closely. Opioids disrupt memory, impair cognitive abilities, and induce fatigue or sleepiness.
6. Failure to Yield
When a motorist neglects to give the right of way as mandated, it can lead to a back-end crash, particularly at junctions or while merging onto freeways. Failure to yield can also result in other types of traffic accidents, such as sideswipes and T-bone crashes.
7. Falling Asleep at the Wheel
Drowsy motorists tend to exhibit delayed reflexes and compromised decision-making, increasing their susceptibility to rear-end crashes. Driving while exhausted is comparable to operating a vehicle under the influence because it impairs reflexes, decision-making, and awareness. The motorist may fail to notice that the cars ahead have decelerated or stopped, leading to an accident.
8. Poor Road Conditions
Potholes and roadway debris are common hazards that force motorists to stop suddenly or change direction without warning. Sometimes, a court may find the government partially liable for failing to correct poor road conditions after receiving notice or otherwise should have known the road needed attention.
9. Poor Weather Conditions
Adverse weather conditions like rainfall, snowfall, and fog limit visibility and create slick road surfaces. Vehicles might not stop on time due to decreased grip on the road. The presence of ice, slush, or mud on the roadway can contribute to a rear-end car accident. In inclement weather, a motorist requires additional time to respond to the brake lights of the vehicle in front and may lose control of the car if it begins to skid or hydroplane when braking.
10. Reckless Driving
Hostile driving actions such as darting through traffic, constant lane switching, and forceful speeding up or abrupt stopping elevate the risk of a rear-end collision. Excessive speeding, zigzagging between vehicles, or executing abrupt lane shifts are all considered forms of aggressive driving. These maneuvers reduce the ability to keep a safe following distance and frequently result in rear-end collisions.
Reckless driving not only leads to crashes but sometimes heightens the seriousness of injuries due to the elevated speeds involved. If you have suffered injuries from a hostile motorist who struck you from behind, consult an attorney to explore your legal avenues for recovering maximum compensation.
11. Road Rage
Road rage, also known as aggressive driving, involves irresponsible, hostile conduct displayed by drivers, which can occasionally lead to injury-causing collisions. Aggressive driving behaviors include shouting, threatening gestures, abusive language, and hazardous driving tactics. Individuals exhibiting road rage often resort to such behaviors to vent anger or scare fellow motorists.
Motorists may encounter road rage due to other drivers running late, witnessing other drivers violate traffic laws, dealing with personal stress, and other triggers. If you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed with anger while driving, the safest course of action is to pull over and pause until you regain composure.
12. Speeding
Operating a vehicle at excessive speeds shortens response time. A motorist moving too quickly might not brake in time if the car ahead decelerates or halts abruptly.
Even if a person drives at the posted speed limit or below, courts can still consider it speeding if their pace proves too fast for the current weather or roadway conditions. When fast-moving drivers encounter slow or stationary traffic, they might not have enough time to brake, resulting in a rear-end collision. In certain situations, the force of the impact can propel one or more vehicles into others ahead, triggering a series of multiple rear-end collisions.
13. Stop-and-Go Traffic
Rush hour sets the stage for back-end crashes. Frequent speeding up and slowing down wears on a driver’s focus and tolerance, particularly if the driver is behind schedule. With dozens or even hundreds of cars tightly spaced, a brief lapse in attention can lead to a collision.
Even if motorists find themselves blocked in during peak traffic hours, it does not exempt them from responsibility when their careless or dangerous actions lead to injury claims.
If you feel uncertain about whether your injuries and losses qualify for reimbursement from other automobile or commercial vehicle operators, consult a legal professional promptly to protect your ability to pursue financial recovery.
14. Sudden Braking
A motorist who brakes abruptly without prior notice to avoid an obstruction can surprise the driver behind, resulting in a back-end crash.
Abrupt halts by the vehicle in front can cause a rear-end car accident if the trailing driver is distracted or unable to brake quickly enough. Sudden braking may occur due to:
- Unforeseen hazards — Animals, people on foot, or objects on the roadway
- Shifts in traffic patterns — Quick slowdowns caused by gridlock or traffic signals
- Excessive speed — Responsible driver is traveling rapidly and must stop suddenly, leading to multi-vehicle crashes
15. Tailgating
Tailgating another vehicle reduces the available time to respond. If the car ahead unexpectedly decelerates or stops, the one behind might lack the necessary distance to prevent a crash.
20 Types of Injuries From a Rear-End Accident
Rear-end vehicle collisions make up 31% of automobile accidents across the country. However, these types of crashes prove less deadly, representing only a small portion of traffic-related fatalities. Typically, the motorist in the trailing vehicle sustains more serious injuries since the front end of their car absorbs the impact. The airbag usually activates for the driver in the rear vehicle, increasing the likelihood of their body experiencing direct force.
Nevertheless, the driver of the lead vehicle also faces the potential of severe harm. Although back-end collisions often happen at reduced speeds, the dynamics of the crash can still result in substantial force affecting the front driver. If the trailing vehicle moves at high velocity, the impact can release an intense amount of energy.
1. Amputations
If a large vehicle strikes you from the rear, it can compress your car to the point where it buckles, creating jagged edges. The crumpling of your vehicle may lead to a hand, finger, arm, leg, or other limbs being crushed or amputated during the collision.
2. Arm Injuries
Arm injuries often occur due to the deployment of the front airbag, which can blow your hands off the steering wheel and sometimes cause burns. Tensing up the arms before impact can also lead to elbow and wrist injuries upon impact.
3. Back Injuries
The force of a rear-end motor vehicle accident can result in multiple types of back trauma, such as strains, slipped discs, and vertebral fractures. Affected drivers might suffer from sudden pain, restricted movement, muscle contractions, and overall unease.
Serious spinal injuries may lead to chronic pain, long-term rehabilitation requirements, possible surgical intervention, and even lasting impairment, all of which can lessen the driver’s capacity to maintain employment and carry out routine tasks.
4. Burns
A rear-end collision may trigger a fire if the fuel tank bursts or leaking gasoline ignites from a spark. You could sustain heat-related burns from the blaze or chemical burns from fuel and other hazardous liquids seeping from other vehicles, like a tanker truck. A large truck transporting combustible substances might also detonate upon impact during a collision.
Burn injuries can lead to severe scarring, permanent disfigurement, physical agony, and emotional distress, along with other harm that may be compensable if the responsible driver acted carelessly. Depending on the extent and severity of the burns, doctors may recommend multiple surgical procedures.
5. Chest Injuries
Chest trauma can result from the force of the seat belt or a collision with the steering wheel. These events may lead to contusions, broken bones, or harm to internal organs. Many drivers report extensive contusions across their chests in the exact spot where the seatbelt rested.
6. Eye Injuries
Eye injuries may result from a rear-end car accident due to broken glass, flying objects within the cabin, or from hitting your face on the wheel or dash. In some cases, a deployed airbag may also cause an eye injury.
7. Face Injuries
During a crash, passengers might hit the dashboard, wheel, or airbag, resulting in facial injuries like lacerations, contusions, or broken bones. If another vehicle strikes you from the rear, it may propel you into active traffic, a stopped vehicle ahead, or immobile structures.
Shattered glass, debris from a collapsed dashboard, and even the deployment of the airbag can inflict lacerations and burns. Some of these wounds may lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement. Injuries to the face might necessitate surgical procedures, increasing both physical pain and emotional distress.
8. Fatalities
Back-end collisions can result in loss of life. If the impacting vehicle moves at a high speed or weighs a few tons, it may compress the cabin area severely enough to cause fatal injuries. Passengers seated in the rear remain at greater risk of death due to their proximity to the vehicle’s back end.
9. Fractures
A frequent type of injury sustained in a rear-end collision is one or more bone fractures. You might fracture your wrists, hands, fingers, arms, legs, feet, toes, ribs, or even your hips. These injuries can range from simple fractures, where the bone remains beneath the skin, to compound fractures where the bone breaks through the skin’s surface.
Based on the intensity of the crash, you could also sustain shattered or compressed bones that may require major surgical procedures for reconstruction.
10. Head Injuries
Despite the presence of airbags, passengers can still sustain head trauma from a collision, including concussions, bruising, and more serious forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The abrupt impact of a rear-end crash can cause passengers to strike their heads on the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, resulting in concussions or other forms of traumatic brain damage.
Signs may involve head pain, disorientation, lightheadedness, queasiness, and short-term mental impairments. Certain head traumas can lead to persistent cognitive difficulties, memory issues, emotional fluctuations, and, in extreme instances, substantial brain injury that diminishes overall life quality.
Some indicators of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Blackouts
- Blurred sight
- Communication difficulties
- Dizziness
- Emotional instability
- Exhaustion
- Fainting
- Forgetfulness
- Head pain
- Loss of balance
- Memory impairment
- Mood fluctuations
- Reduced mental clarity
- Severe tiredness
- Thinking difficulties
- Trouble with speaking
- Visual disturbances
In cases of serious injury, you may experience behavioral, mental, and bodily impairments. If a traumatic brain injury leads to unconsciousness, loss of movement, or other complications, you might need lifelong support, including frequent medical visits, therapeutic treatments, and ongoing rehabilitation. Some victims may need at-home assistance or long-term residency in a care facility or rehabilitation center.
11. Hip Injuries
Hip injuries sometimes occur due to the locking of a lap belt. Significant bruising, soft-tissue damage, and even fractures of the hip can result from a back-end car accident. Short drivers who move their seats all the way up to the wheel remain at greater risk of a hip injury.
12. Internal Injuries
The intensity of a collision can lead to internal harm, including damage to organs or internal hemorrhaging. Such injuries might not be instantly noticeable. If you feel pain in your abdomen, mention it to emergency services so they can scan you for internal bleeding.
13. Leg Injuries
Legs and feet may sustain injuries upon striking the dashboard, door, or other interior parts of the vehicle. Potential harm includes broken bones, joint displacements, and damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
14. Neck Injuries
When you experience an abrupt impact from the rear, your neck and shoulders may jerk forward, depending on the force of the crash. This rapid motion can injure muscles and other soft tissues in the neck and shoulder region, along with the spinal column.
15. Psychological Injuries
In addition to bodily harm, people involved in a rear-end crash may suffer emotional distress, such as nervousness, post-traumatic stress, or depressive symptoms. Psychological trauma can prove as crippling as physical wounds, making it crucial to attend to your emotional well-being.
16. Seatbelt Injuries
Although seat belts are vital for protection, they can also lead to harm during high-force crashes, such as bruising, chest trauma, or injuries to the shoulder area. All drivers should obey the law and wear seatbelts because the harm they may cause during a crash proves less severe than the harm of not wearing them.
17. Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur from hitting the wheel, dashboard, or door. Common shoulder injuries include bruises, dislocations, ligament and tendon damage. Seatbelt injuries can also exacerbate existing shoulder issues.
18. Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and adipose, may suffer damage due to the abrupt force of a rear-end crash, resulting in strains, sprains, ruptures, tears, and bruising.
Signs of soft tissue injuries include discomfort, inflammation, and discoloration in the impacted regions.
Although many soft tissue injuries recover over time with appropriate care, some can result in long-term pain or persistent problems that necessitate continuous medical intervention.
Soft tissue damage frequently goes unrecognized and unaddressed, potentially leading to further health issues.
19. Spinal Cord Injuries
In severe instances, a back-end car accident can harm the spinal cord, possibly causing partial or complete paralysis. Instant symptoms may involve numbness, reduced muscle control, and intense discomfort.
Spinal cord damage often leads to long-term impairments, requiring extensive healthcare, therapeutic recovery, and assistive devices for daily living adjustments. The psychological and economic burden on the injured individuals and their loved ones can prove significant.
20. Whiplash
Whiplash is a serious condition with lasting consequences. Regardless of how much an insurance provider attempts to downplay its seriousness, a whiplash injury can result in significant pain and distress.
Whiplash often leads to injuries of the neck and spine, which may involve:
- Neck discomfort
- Neck tightness
- Shoulder pain
- Back soreness
- Arm and finger numbness
Some projections suggest that as many as 42% of patients who experience whiplash may never achieve complete recovery. Other victims might require operative treatment or prolonged rehabilitation to regain maximum function.
In addition to neck and spinal injuries, whiplash can also lead to a TBI. When the head jerks forward, the brain may collide with the skull’s interior. This impact can result in conditions ranging from a mild concussion to lasting brain damage.
Whiplash trauma may not be apparent following a collision. It can take several days or even weeks for symptoms to emerge. In the meantime, the condition might deteriorate without proper care. If you have experienced a rear-end auto crash, seek a medical evaluation promptly.
Rear-End Car Accident Statistics
Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that rear-end crashes make up more than 33% of all motor vehicle accidents. These incidents represent more than minor issues. They contribute substantially to the number of injuries and deaths occurring on roadways.
Examine the following statistics highlights to see how common and hazardous these collisions have become:
- Approximately 2.6 million rear-end collisions occur annually.
- Over 29% of automobile crashes involve back-end impacts, making them among the most prevalent types of motor vehicle incidents.
- Inattentive driving plays a role in more than 86% of rear-end collisions, highlighting the risks associated with texting or eating while operating a vehicle.
- Nearly one million serious injuries occur due to these types of crashes each year, with many cases needing extended medical treatment.
- Thousands of deaths happen as a consequence of back-end collisions, frequently caused by excessive speed or multi-vehicle pileups on congested roadways.
These statistics present a clear and sobering reality, emphasizing why back-end crashes remain so prevalent and warned against by both healthcare professionals and legal experts.
Establishing Liability in Rear-End Collisions
Typically, the motorist in the rear vehicle who collides with the one in front is presumed responsible for the crash. While this guideline is not absolute, it holds true in most situations. The rear driver should have noticed the vehicle ahead and braked in a timely manner. In the absence of proof suggesting otherwise, this principle generally governs fault. If you drove the lead car, there is a strong likelihood that you will receive compensation if you were hit in a rear-end accident.
If you operate the vehicle in the rear and wish to demonstrate that the driver ahead was at fault, you will need strong, persuasive proof to challenge the assumption that you were responsible. It is still advisable to consult with an attorney to determine whether you might be eligible for monetary recovery, even if it presents a significant challenge. In some cases, an attorney can show that the other driver abruptly merged into your lane or suddenly braked in front of you.
Some of the ways you can demonstrate that the lead vehicle’s driver may bear responsibility for the crash include cases where:
- The driver failed to move off the roadway when experiencing a mechanical issue
- Their brake lights malfunctioned, leaving you unaware that their deceleration
- The lead driver followed another vehicle too closely and had to brake suddenly with minimal notice
- They traveled at an unreasonably low speed in front of your vehicle
In certain situations, the driver of the lead vehicle might deliberately engage in wrongful behavior in hopes of securing a payout from an insurance provider. However, establishing this behavior in a courtroom or when negotiating with insurers can prove challenging.
You should always make an effort to consult with an attorney about your situation. Initial consultations typically come free of charge. Sometimes, a lawyer may advise you that your case lacks merit. Gaining that insight will not cost you anything upfront.
Negligence in a Rear-End Collision
Negligence represents a key factor in assigning responsibility; it arises when a motorist does not use proper caution and causes injury to someone else. To prove negligence in a rear-end crash, the following elements must exist.
Duty of Care
All motorists must drive with caution and accountability, adhering to traffic rules and guidelines to protect the well-being of others on the road.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty happens when a motorist does not uphold the expected level of care through inattentive driving, following too closely, exceeding the speed limit, and other behaviors.
Causation
A lawyer must prove that the driver’s failure to uphold their duty directly led to the back-end crash and establish a clear connection between the careless actions and the incident.
Harm
Getting struck from behind led to tangible harm, including physical injuries, vehicle damage, or monetary losses.
Compensation for Rear-End Auto Accidents
Following a rear-end collision, you may wonder what forms of compensation you can pursue for your injuries. Generally, the amount of damages awarded will depend on various factors, including:
- The extent of your injuries — Compensation frequently involves reimbursement for healthcare costs incurred by the injured individual. If you sustained major injuries, your medical bills may be greater, potentially leading to a larger compensation amount. Insurance providers may also consider your physical and emotional distress more significant in cases involving serious harm.
- The coverage limits of the insurance policy — In a back-end crash claim, you will typically work with the at-fault driver’s car insurance provider. That company will not disburse more than the policy’s maximum coverage amount, meaning the policy limits will cap the total compensation available to you, regardless of the seriousness of your injuries.
Although the compensation you obtain may differ, many claimants seek monetary damages for:
- Diminished earning capacity
- Healthcare costs
- Missed earnings
- Pain and suffering
You may also pursue damages for physical limitations and long-term impairments, along with the expenses related to recovery and therapy. If a rear-end collision leads to a fatality, the deceased’s loved ones may file a wrongful death claim to recover costs for burial services, lost financial contributions, and mental anguish.
Non-Economic Damages
Often called general damages, non-economic losses do not carry a specific financial value. Not every claimant receives non-economic compensation. Typically, if you lost a family member in a crash or endured life-altering injuries, you may recover these types of damages.
A common criterion for obtaining non-economic compensation is whether your injuries result in lasting or lifelong impairments. Although each insurance provider may have its own standards for what constitutes long-term or permanent disability, the Social Security Administration defines such conditions as those that persist for over a year or lead to death.
Non-monetary compensation may cover:
- Deprivation of companionship if you can no longer share meaningful time with loved ones or take part in family gatherings and activities
- Diminished life enjoyment if you must adapt to permanent changes, such as relying on mobility devices or ongoing medication due to injuries from the accident
- Disruption or hardship if you must pay others to handle tasks you normally perform, such as grocery shopping, yardwork, housekeeping, and household repairs or upkeep
- Inability to utilize a limb or appendage, such as a foot or hand
- Loss of consortium or inability to maintain physical intimacy or a marital relationship
- Loss of a physical function, such as vision or bladder control
- Physical discomfort and mental anguish, including psychological suffering
- Removal of a finger, toe, or limb
- Severe scarring or permanent physical alteration
Economic Damages
Often known as special damages, economic losses have a specific financial value. Most people injured in auto collisions are entitled to recover economic damages.
Medical Expenses
The total cost of medical care you incur depends on the seriousness of your injuries and whether they result in lasting or permanent impairments.
You may receive reimbursement for:
- Home adaptations, including ramps, support rails, handles, and expanded doorways
- In-home caregiving services
- Long-term care facility services
- Medical consultations
- Medications, including prescriptions and doctor-recommended over-the-counter drugs
- Mental function rehabilitation
- Mental health counseling
- Mobility assistance devices
- Operations and subsequent checkups
- Physiotherapy
- Restorative treatment programs
- Vehicle modifications such as hand-operated controls
- Vocational therapy
Property Damage
If a back-end crash harms or totals your vehicle or belongings, you may receive compensation to fix or replace the car and any damaged personal items.
Lost Wages
You may recover lost income for the period you can not work due to injuries sustained in a back-end crash. If your injuries lead to lasting or permanent impairments, or if you lost a family member, you may also seek compensation for the reduction in future earning potential.
Even if you can work reduced hours or your injuries require you to take a lower-paying full-time position compared to your previous employment, you may recover compensation for diminished earning ability.
Death-Related Expenses
If you lost a family member in a back-end crash, you may receive compensation for death-related costs, such as:
- Cremation costs
- Funeral and interment expenses
- Legal fees and expenses for probate attorneys
- Probate court fees
What to Do After a Rear-End Crash in 6 Steps
A rear-end crash can easily overwhelm a driver, particularly if you sustained a traumatic brain injury or other significant harm during the incident. Taking the proper actions afterward can protect your financial well-being and help establish the other driver’s liability for the collision. Here are the six steps you should take after a rear-end collision.
Step One: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Getting medical attention after any motor vehicle crash should be your top concern. If you or the other driver sustained serious injuries in the back-end crash, request emergency medical assistance at the scene immediately. Dialing 911 will dispatch police and emergency responders. While the ambulance travels to your location, manage your injuries while still at the crash site. If moving increases your pain or worsens your condition, stay inside your vehicle and wait for emergency personnel to assist you.
Step Two: Gather Evidence
If you can move safely without aggravating your injuries, gather evidence to strengthen your claim. Capture images of the crash site, including the damage sustained by both vehicles. If your car has a dashcam, provide footage of the incident to the responding officer. Take photographs of the scene, including:
- Any elements of the surroundings that played a role in causing the crash
- Both vehicles, particularly if you need to move them off the roadway
- The other motorist’s driver’s license and insurance details
- Your physical injuries
Step Three: Contact the Police
When law enforcement arrives, provide your account of the incident. Document your own version to review details later and jog your memory. Give a truthful description of what happened, but do not admit blame or acknowledge partial responsibility.
Step Four: Maintain Medical Records
When you visit the hospital, you will receive documentation regarding your injuries, including X-rays and test results. Store these records in a dedicated file related to the accident so you have them ready if required.
Step Five: Notify Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurance provider that you sustained injuries in a crash. Share the police report or any supporting evidence related to the incident to bolster your insurance claim. Based on your policy, your insurer may issue payment upfront for vehicle repairs and later pursue reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
Step Six: Meet With a Car Accident Lawyer
Whenever you experience significant harm in a crash, consulting an attorney can help you more accurately evaluate the compensation you need. Reach out to a lawyer promptly after your rear-end accident so the legal team can review the accident reports, begin gathering evidence, and advocate for your interests.
Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Car Crash
A statute of limitations limits the timeframe individuals can file court claims. Each state establishes its own specific statutes of limitations, which vary based on the nature of the case you intend to pursue.
For instance, in California, the deadline to initiate a car accident lawsuit for personal injury is two (2) years from the date the injury occurred.
Statutes of limitations promote the timely resolution of legal disputes, protect defendants’ rights, and prevent the judicial system from hearing outdated claims.
California has adopted a statute of limitations because:
- Evidence may weaken or degrade as time passes. Tangible proof, like blood, footprints, or skid marks, can fade or disappear over time. Lost evidence makes it difficult for injured parties to establish fault and for the accused to secure the necessary evidence for a just defense.
- Witnesses might lose their memory of key information. Testimonies from bystanders hold significant value in personal injury cases since they typically have no personal interest in the result. However, delaying too long to file may cause them to forget vital observations, which could result in unfair legal conclusions.
Discuss Legal Options With an Attorney From Unity Law Group
If you have experienced a rear-end collision, consult a personal injury lawyer to protect your interests and pursue compensation for your injuries. Our legal team will zealously represent you in settlement negotiations and the courtroom. For a free consultation, complete our online form or call Unity Law Group at (844) 864-8939 today!
