Port Charlotte Rear-End Collision Attorney
Rear-end collisions are when one vehicle strikes another vehicle’s back end. It is a particularly shocking type of crash to be in because you can’t see it happening. According to the Washington Post, 500,000 Americans are injured in rear-end crashes each year. If you were injured in a rear-end collision, you should be filing a personal injury claim to recover your damages. The Port Charlotte rear-end collision attorneys at Hale Law can help you through the legal process as you focus on your well-being.
CAUSES AND COMMON INJURIES THAT RESULT FROM REAR-END COLLISIONS
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and compiled by Driving-Tests.org, texting while driving increases the risk of rear-ending someone by a factor of seven. That does not account for all the other types of crashes that could occur due to texting. Rear-ending crashes also occur when a driver is otherwise distracted and can happen anywhere from a parking lot to a major road. Common injuries from being rear-ended are as follows:
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Internal bleeding;
- Whiplash;
- Facial trauma including fractures and lacerations from the head colliding with steering wheel or airbag;
- Fractured bones;
- Back injuries; and
- Lacerations from car glass windows being shattered.
WHAT DAMAGES CAN YOU SEEK COMPENSATION
In a rear-end collision, as with any crash, your insurance claim is going to be determined based on the severity of your damages. The following impacts the value of your claim for compensation:
- Medical expenses and future anticipated medical costs;
- Lost wages and future lost earning capacity;
- Psychological distress;
- Pain and suffering;
- Property damage;
- Loss of joy of life; and
- More.
HOW A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY CAN HELP
You need the professional expertise of an attorney if you were injured in a rear-end collision. It may seem obvious to you who caused the crash, but Florida has a comparative negligence law, which means you could be held partially liable for your crash unless you can fully prove the other driver was at fault. Insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to assign blame elsewhere and avoid paying for your damages by arguing you weren’t as injured as you have claimed to be. It can be emotionally taxing, and you will want someone on your side who can help investigate and defend your case so that you get the compensation you deserve for being rear-ended.
YOU COULD BE THE VICTIM, EVEN IF YOU REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE
True, most rear-end collisions are caused by the driver who is further back, but there are occasions when a driver rear-ends someone and is considered the victim. Examples of this include:
- An intoxicated driver does erratic speed changes in front of you;
- A vehicle cuts you off in traffic but suddenly throws on their brakes to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front of them. They didn’t leave ample space for you to brake;
- A driver fails to indicate they are changing lane with their turn signals; and
- An aggressive driver exhibits road rage by slams on the brakes and forces you to rear-end them.
A PORT CHARLOTTE REAR-END COLLISION ATTORNEY IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU
If you are the victim in a rear-end collision, the Port Charlotte rear-end collision attorneys of Hale Law are here to help you seek compensation for your damages. Call us at 941-735-4529 to schedule a no-cost consultation today.