Huntington Rear-End Collisions Lawyer

Vehicular collisions are a leading cause of death in the United States. Over 100 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents every day, and rear-end collisions, in particular, can catch a driver by surprise. Rear-end collisions caused 2,456 fatalities in 2017, according to the Insurance Information Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these types of accidents lead to productivity losses, medical care costs, and legal and administrative overheads that run into the tens of billions of dollars every year. If you were involved in a rear-end collision, you may be entitled to some form of compensation for your injuries from the at-fault parties responsible for the crash. To learn more, speak with a rear-end collision lawyer serving Huntington with Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. at (631) 451-7900.

Rear-End Collision Injuries

Rear-end crashes can lead to serious bodily harm. Injuries sustained in a rear-end crash can be catastrophic, especially when spinal cord, head, and neck injuries are involved. Furthermore, minor injuries such as muscle strains, torn ligaments, or nerve damage may not show up until many days or several weeks after an accident, making it difficult to determine the extent of your injuries immediately after a collision.

Common injuries seen in rear-end collision cases include all of the following.

Neck Injuries

The most common neck injury associated with a rear-end collision is whiplash. Whiplash is often characterized by overstretched muscles, nerves, or tendons. Soft tissue damage of this type can lead to stiffness, pain, and restricted neck movement. Treatments for neck injuries typically involve some form of physical or occupational therapy as well as medications such as muscle relaxants or painkillers.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

There are many sensitive parts of the back, including muscles, nerves, and joints. All body sensations apart from those involving the head involve the spinal cord, and most body movements involve the backbone in some capacity. Injuries to the back can limit a person’s ability to use the limbs or move. This injury can restrict the types of work they can do and may require expensive and invasive treatments to correct.

Traumatic Brain and Head Injuries

Victims of rear-end collisions can strike their heads on different parts of their vehicles. Even the blunt force of an airbag can cause significant head trauma. Sharp jolts can cause brain trauma as well, even if the head itself does not receive an impact. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are common injuries in rear-end collisions.

Broken Bones

Broken bones—including the limbs, ribs, and other body parts such as the knees—may require long-term treatment to heal. Compound fractures are also common in rear-end collisions. Simple treatments for broken bones can cost several thousands of dollars when you add the costs of diagnosis, testing, medication, consultations, and treatment.

For a free case review, call Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. at (631) 451-7900 today.

Causes of Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end collision can happen at any time, but they are more common on busy roadways or unexpected stops on the road. Common causes of such accidents include:

• Distracted driving: a distracted driver who does not see a sudden stop or red light ahead can run into a vehicle from behind. Interacting with other passengers, eating, texting while driving, adjusting controls or devices, applying makeup, and other activities not related to driving can lead to distraction and a serious accident.
• Tailgating or speeding: following another vehicle too closely or driving too quickly can limit the amount of time a driver has to react to changes in road conditions. This behavior can increase the likelihood of a rear-end crash.
• Driving under the influence: alcohol and substance abuse can hamper decision-making, increase reaction times, and reduce inhibitions. Riskier and impaired driving of this sort is more likely to result in a collision than safe, unimpaired driving.
• Equipment malfunctions and poor driving conditions: worn brake pads, defective rear lights, poor lighting, damaged roadways, and unclear signage can create hazardous driving conditions and limit the ability of a driver to first see and then respond to hazards or dangerous conditions on the road.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, a rear-end collision lawyer serving Huntington can help you determine the cause or causes of your rear-end collision and gather the evidence needed to prove liability on the part of the at-fault party responsible for the accident.

Rear-End Collision Liability

For most collisions, a driver may be held liable for damages caused if he or she fails to exercise the basic level of care required by the law for the protection of property, other drivers, and bystanders on the road when they operate a vehicle. A failure to maintain safe driving distances, to remain within posted speed limits, to drive sober and rested, and to pay attention to the road is tantamount to negligence. The same applies to a failure to maintain a safe vehicle via timely servicing.

However, in rear-end collision cases, the rear-ending vehicle is typically automatically at fault. Additional evidence that can be collected to claim damages may include medical reports, video or photo evidence of the collision, police reports, dashcam footage, and eyewitness testimony. Tracking phone records and text messages can also prove gross negligence if you are to pursue damages in a rear-end collision case.

Other damages you may be able to seek for compensation include:

• Pain and Suffering.
• Lost income.
• Funeral and burial costs in case of a wrongful death collision.
• Rehabilitative treatment and care.
• Surgery and medicine costs.
• Testing and assistive device costs.
• Travel mileage to and from doctor’s appointments.

Contact Our Team Today

We are here to assist you however we can. Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P.’s rear-end collision lawyers serving Huntington can help you navigate the complexities of accident claims, insurance laws, and settlement negotiations based on the strengths and weaknesses, if any, of your case. Feel free to contact us today at (631) 451-7900 for a case evaluation. We can also assist your questions in Spanish as well, so do not hesitate to reach out in case we can help you.