Who Is Liable for Injuries in a Rear-End Collision?
A rear-end accident is a type of traffic accident that occurs when a car crashes into another vehicle that moves very slowly or stops while driving. Rear-end car accidents account for nearly 30 percent of all car crashes in the United States, resulting in hundreds of thousands of serious physical injuries that can prove fatal for their victims. Such accidents can result in physical damage, lasting emotional trauma, and significant property damage, including financial losses that can be impossible for victims to bear on their own.
Determining liability in rear-end crashes can be challenging, considering the number of factors involved depending on the specifics of each incident. If you got involved in such an accident, you might be able to recover financial compensation if you pursue legal action against the negligent driver. Hiring an experienced lawyer is one of the most important initial steps you can take to protect your legal rights in any traffic accident lawsuit.
Determining Liability
In most rear-end car crashes, the driver of the rear vehicle is considered responsible for the incident because they must keep a safe distance from the vehicle immediately in front of the car. They are responsible for remaining alert about any traffic developments around their car and reacting in time to prevent property damage to their vehicles or others. However, the driver of the rear vehicle might not always be responsible for the crash. For instance, if you, as the driver in front, put brakes in the middle of the road without any good reason, the accident would not be considered the fault of the rear vehicle driver. Additionally, if the driver in front was stopped illegally, the rear driver might be absolved of any responsibility for the accident.
Compensable Damages
If you were involved in a rear-end collision due to another driver’s negligence, you might be able to obtain financial compensation for your injuries and property damage resulting from the incident. Compensable damages in civil lawsuits resulting from such traffic accidents might include lost wages, potential future loss of income, pain, and suffering, loss of consortium, medical bills, costs of ongoing medical or surgical treatment, and more. In some states, such accidents are governed by the rule of contributory negligence, according to which you might receive less compensation if you were found to be partly at fault. In such cases, the amount you receive as compensation gets lowered by the percentage of your fault for the incident. However, it is important to note that you can still pursue legal action against the other driver even if your negligence contributed to the crash.
Conclusion
Determining liability for rear-end car crashes depends on multiple factors, including the actions of the drivers involved in the incident and any third party that might have contributed to the accident. If you or your loved one got injured in a rear-end car accident, you can file a lawsuit against the negligent driver for compensation. It is important to speak to a skilled personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options and obtain expert legal representation. Make sure you reach out to a reliable law firm with all the information necessary for your case. You deserve financial compensation for any injuries you have sustained or vehicle damage.
