If you have been involved in a rear-end crash, it may seem cut and dry who was liable for causing the crash. However, while it may seem obvious to you that your injuries were sustained by the driver behind you, it may take more evidence in order for you to get fully compensated with a personal injury claim. The knowledgeable Lakewood Ranch rear-end collision attorneys of Hale Law work with rear-end collision victims to ensure that the negligent party is held responsible and that the victim can be properly compensated for the injuries they sustained during impact.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, texting increases the risk of rear-ending another vehicle by 7. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that 87 percent of all rear-end crashes involved a driver failing to attend to the traffic in front of them. Other common causes of rear-end collisions include:
Unfortunately, rear-end collisions are quite common because of distracted and hurried driving habits. The severity of the injuries will vary depending on the speed of both vehicles, if any other cars or immovable objects are involved, and the size of the vehicles. If the driver of a truck with a high bumper and clearance rear-ends a compact passenger car at a high speed the consequences will be more severe if not fatal to those in the smaller passenger car. Common injuries include:
Since Florida is a comparative negligence state, compensation will be determined by how at-fault each party is considered. For instance, if one driver was speeding but the other driver was drunk, they may both be found a percentage liable for the crash. If a person is found 30 percent liable for a rear-end collision, they can only be awarded 70 percent of the possible compensation. Reasons a driver may be found partially liable even if they were rear-ended include if they were merging into traffic without looking, if they were intoxicated, or if they were slamming on the brakes in an instance of road rage. Compensation includes:
If you or a loved one has been hit by another driver in a rear-end collision, you still need a Lakewood Ranch rear-end collision attorney to advocate for your best interests. The insurance companies will try to place blame back on you, which could affect your ability to seek the necessary compensation to make a full recovery. To learn more about how the attorneys at Hale Law can help, contact us at 561-286-4876.