Douglasville Rear-End Accident Lawyer

Rear-end accidents happen for many different reasons. Sometimes, drivers speed and don’t have time to slow down or stop in order to avoid a collision. Other times, they simply follow another vehicle too closely, or “tailgate.” In the worst types of crashes, drivers are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. They cannot focus on the road, or their perception may be impaired.

Rear-end car accidents are often much more serious than many people think they are. This is true even when they happen at a relatively slow speed. They can result in serious injuries that affect victims and their families for years to come.

If you recently were hurt in a rear-end crash, you should speak to a car accident lawyer that can help you to pursue just compensation for your losses. At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience. We can put that experience to work for you, too. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your case.

What Are Common Rear-End Accident Injuries?

As in any car accident, victims of rear-end collisions can suffer any number of different injuries. These injuries can lead to expensive medical treatment. Often, they keep crash victims out of work for extended periods of time and result in a major loss of income.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries which people suffer in these crashes. This injury is a result of the neck moving back and forth in rapid succession while the rest of the body remains still. As a result of this movement, the soft tissue in the neck can become seriously damaged.

This type of injury is especially common in rear-end crashes among drivers and passengers in the front car. When a person gets hit from behind, it causes the person’s neck to jolt forward while the person is restrained by a seat belt. Also, those in the front car may have no time to brace for the crash because they cannot see the rear vehicle approaching.

Although whiplash is common in rear-end accidents, several other types of injuries can occur. Those injuries include:

• Back injuries – The impact in a rear-end crash can damage vertebrae or nerves in the spinal cord. It can also cause ruptured or herniated discs.
• Chest and abdominal injuries – These injuries can include bruised or broken ribs, internal bleeding and damage to internal organs.
• Traumatic brain injury – Many rear-end accident victims suffer concussions or worse from the jolt of the impact or from their head striking the dashboard, window or steering wheel.
• Cuts and bruises – These injuries may sound minor. However, they may result in infections or permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Broken bones – Accident victims often suffer from multiple broken bones, which can require multiple surgeries to correct and lead to a long recovery period.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage – Anything from blunt force trauma to a broken rib can cause internal bleeding and organ damage in a rear-end collision.

If you suffered these injuries or any other type of injury in a rear-end crash that someone else’s negligence caused, our legal team at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., will work tirelessly to secure the compensation that you deserve.

When Is the Rear Driver At Fault?

Many people automatically assume that the rear driver is at fault in a rear-end crash. While that is often true, it still is not always the case. Rear drivers may be at fault if they acted negligently, which means to act carelessly or recklessly. Negligent actions such as following another vehicle too closely, speeding, distracted driving or drunk driving may indicate that the rear driver was at fault.

When Is the Front Driver At Fault?

In most rear-end accident cases where the front driver is at fault, it is due to sudden stopping or slowing down. For example, if one car was driving in the front and another vehicle was following it – even from a safe distance – the car in the rear may not have time to stop if the front vehicle driver slams his or her brakes. So, in this situation, the driver of the car in the front may be found to blame.

Insurance companies tend to be biased against the rear driver in these crashes. For this reason, if you were a rear driver, you should seek help from an attorney who won’t back down when dealing with the insurance company. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and support your claim with evidence.

How Can We Determine Fault in a Rear-end Accident?

To establish which driver was at fault for a rear-end accident, our team at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., will conduct a full investigation. We will visit the accident scene, ask nearby businesses if they have video surveillance camera footage that may show how the accident happened, and extensively review any photos from the accident scene. We may also reach out to accident reconstruction professionals in order to establish how the accident happened and identify who was at fault.

Under Georgia’s modified comparative fault laws, if it is found that you were partly to blame for the accident, you will be assigned a percentage of fault. Any compensation you are awarded will be reduced by that same percentage. If you were more than 49 percent at fault, you could be denied any compensation.

An insurance company may argue that you were at fault in a rear-end crash in order to reduce or flat-out deny your claim. Again, it will be crucial for you to have a lawyer on your side who will know how to refute such arguments.

Hurt in a Rear-End Accident? Call Our Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers

Being hurt in a rear-end accident is often more complicated than being involved in another type of car crash. If you suffered an injury in one of these accidents, our Douglasville personal injury lawyers are here to help you. At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we know how to handle these claims and pursue the maximum amount of compensation for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys and learn more about your legal rights and options.

Visit Our Douglasville Car Accident Injury Law Offices