Many times, after getting in a rear-end collision, you are pretty shocked. It was definitely not something that you expected to deal with that day, and not to mention you probably feel sore and are questioning if you have deeper injuries. Most drivers—maybe even yourself—have been involved in at least one minor fender bender, but a high-speed rear-end accident can actually cause devastating injuries.
After this type of car crash, you may require long-term medical care and rehabilitative treatment. Additionally, you might spend a considerable amount of time away from work as you heal. The lack of income combined with the expensive hospital bills can put you and your family in a tough financial situation.
A Wesley Chapel rear-end collision lawyer can inform you of your legal options and advise you on the next steps to take. Seek assistance from one of our seasoned car accident attorneys to learn more about how Hancock Injury Attorneys can support you during your recovery.
Who Is Liable In A Rear-End Collision?
Proving liability in a rear-end collision might seem like it is clear, the tailing driver caused the accident. However, there are some cases where the leading car can be deemed comparatively negligent. For example, if the leading driver stopped without warning, or had malfunctioning brake lights, and then are rear-ended, they might be held partially responsible.
In the vast majority of rear-end accidents, the fault does lie on the tailing driver for not fulfilling their duty to exercise reasonable care when driving a vehicle. An experienced rear-end crash lawyer can help make the argument for who should be deemed liable.
How Can Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
By trusting an experienced injury lawyer to take care of your case, not only are you taking stress off yourself, but you are almost all but ensuring a larger settlement. An attorney presents evidence of medical records, expenses, witness accounts, police reports, vehicle investigations, and more to the insurance adjuster. All these findings combined with the expertise of a lawyer’s demand and negotiations puts you in a much better position to get the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
What Are The Common Causes Of Rear-End Accidents In Wesley Chapel?
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in the Wesley Chapel area. At Hancock Injury Attorneys, many of the back-end collision cases that we handle involve distracted driving. While there are many forms of distracted driving, cell phone use is the most prevalent.
Cell Phone Use and Rear-End Accidents
As cell phone developers add more features to smartphones, we become more attached to these devices. Although the technology has proven useful, it has also become a significant distraction for drivers. In addition to reading and sending texts, many motorists use their phones while driving to make calls or play music.
Attempting to multitask while driving is incredibly unsafe. If someone is looking at their phone, they may not notice the cars in front of them stopped at a red light or the traffic slowing down on the interstate. Even as Bluetooth technology becomes more widespread, using a cell phone while driving continues to cause severe accidents. Studies have shown that Bluetooth features in cars have not reduced the amount of distraction caused by cell phone use.
Other Potential Distractions that Cause Back-End Collisions
Any type of distracted driving can lead to a rear-end accident. Aside from cell phone use, other distractions may include:
- Eating while driving
- Looking at something on the side of the road
- Applying makeup while driving
- Arguing with another passenger in the car
- Traveling with a pet in the car
Aggressive Driving and Tailgating Accidents
Another common cause of rear-end collisions is aggressive driving. If the person behind you is frustrated or in a rush, they may drive too closely, leaving little time to react if you slow down.
Regardless of the cause of your collision, you should seek help from a lawyer who can assess your case. If your legal counsel can prove that the person who rear-ended you was driving while distracted, speeding, or driving aggressively, it can strengthen your injury claim.
Where Do Most Back-End Collisions Take Place?
Most rear-end collisions occur at intersections. For example, if one vehicle is stopped at a red light or stop sign, but the driver in the back cannot bring their car to a safe stop, it can result in a crash.
Back-end accidents can also happen on major highways such as Interstate 275, Interstate 75, and Interstate 4. On the interstate, motorists may be traveling between 55 and 70 miles per hour. However, daily traffic occasionally causes vehicles to slow down. If drivers do not pay attention to the slowing of traffic, it may result in high-speed collisions.
Additionally, when a motorist assumes the vehicle in front of them will speed up on an entrance ramp, they might strike the rear of that car. Accidents on the highway typically occur at high speeds, leading to life-threatening injuries. To discuss how the location of your rear-end collision can impact your damages and subsequent accident claim, speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact A Wesley Chapel Rear-End Collision Lawyer
Rear-end collisions may seem straightforward, but there are many legal concepts that can complicate your accident claim. Even if someone struck the back of your vehicle, they might attempt to put some of the blame on you.
A Wesley Chapel rear-end collision lawyer can help you handle potential roadblocks and recover full and comprehensive compensation. We want you to focus on healing, while we take care of the constant phone calls and ongoing investigations. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with a legal professional at Hancock Injury Attorneys.