Rear- End Collisions

Research shows that rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents, accounting for 32.5 percent of all car crashes in the U.S., according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even at low speeds, rear-end collisions can cause major injuries, including whiplash, spinal cord damage, and broken bones. And between your medical bills, damaged property, and lost income, a rear-end accident can also be a serious financial burden.

Recovering fair compensation for your injuries in a rear-end car accident can be challenging, but getting help from a personal injury attorney can make it easier. The Ohio car accident lawyer at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law has extensive experience with these cases and is dedicated to helping our clients seek the compensation they deserve after a crash.

We offer free initial consultations and don’t charge any fees unless we collect compensation on your behalf. You can contact our office today for more information about our services.

Who Is At Fault for a Rear-End Accident in Ohio?

Fault is determined based on the available evidence and the legal concept of negligence. Negligence is the idea that parties can be held liable for injuring someone else if they fail to take reasonable steps to avoid causing an accident. For someone to be found liable for a rear-end accident, the evidence must show that their actions directly contributed to the crash and led to your injuries. An experienced rear-end car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence you’ll need to prove the other driver’s negligence.

The driver in the rear is usually found liable for rear-end car accidents. This is because, according to Ohio law, drivers are required to follow vehicles with a speed and distance that will enable them to safely come to a stop, even if traffic suddenly slows or stops.

However, there are a handful of situations when the driver in front can be held liable for a rear-end crash, such as:

• Multi-car accidents where one car is pushed into a vehicle in front of it
• Accidents caused by the driver in front accelerating backward and colliding with a vehicle behind them
• Accidents caused by the driver in front stopping suddenly or “brake checking” the vehicle behind them
• Accidents where one or both taillights on the vehicle in front are broken
• Accidents caused by one vehicle hitting another that’s parked on the road
• Accidents caused by a mechanical defect
• Accidents caused by drivers failing to use their hazard lights in an emergency

No matter the position of your vehicle in a rear-end car accident, a skilled attorney can help you gather evidence to help show who is liable for the accident that caused your injuries.

Rear-Ended Car Accident Common Injuries

If you’ve been involved in a rear-end car accident, here are some common injuries to watch out for:

• Whiplash – The impact from a rear-end collision can cause your head to jerk forward before you’re yanked violently backward by your seatbelt. This rapid, jarring motion can resemble someone cracking a whip, which is why it’s called “whiplash.” Whiplash puts severe strain on the bones, muscles, and connective tissue in your neck and head, leading to intense pain and limiting how much you can turn or lift your head.
• Spinal cord injuries – Rear-end collisions can apply intense force to your back, leading to spinal cord damage and other back injuries. In some cases, the supportive discs between your vertebrae can burst or suffer other damage from a crash. The spinal cord itself can also be damaged, which can lead to partial or full paralysis.
• Facial injuries and disfigurement – Rear-end accidents can cause your body to lurch forward and hit your face and head on your airbag, the steering wheel, or the steering column. A hard impact on your face can cause disfiguring cuts and other injuries.
• Head injuries and traumatic injuries – Rear-end crash victims frequently suffer external injuries to their heads from flying glass or a hard impact with part of the vehicle itself. More worryingly than external head injuries, though, are traumatic brain injuries. These injuries damage the tissues in your brain, which can cause memory loss, loss of movement, impaired bodily functions, personality changes, and diminished cognitive capabilities.
• Broken bones, bruises, and lacerations – Broken bones in the hands, wrists, chest, and face are common in rear-end car accidents. Crash victims may also sustain severe lacerations and bruises from bits of broken glass, other flying objects in the car, or an impact with part of the vehicle itself.

What To Do After a Rear-End Car Accident

If you haven’t been involved in a crash before, here’s what to do after a rear-end car accident:

• Call 911 to bring police and emergency medical personnel to the scene
• Document your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the broader crash scene as best you can
• Get medical treatment right away if you aren’t taken to a hospital from the scene
• Stay off of social media as the information you post could potentially be used against you
• Don’t talk to any insurance companies until you’ve hired an attorney
• Save all your medical records, as well as any proof you have of your financial losses
• Hire a rear-end car accident attorney

Settlements and Compensation You Can Recover After a Rear-End Car Accident in Ohio

Many people wonder what the average settlement for a rear-end car accident is. However, every accident is different and may result in different injuries. Injuries and financial losses from a rear-end car accident can be severe, but Ohio law allows you to recover compensation for those losses. With the right strategy and sufficient evidence, you can potentially claim compensation for:

• Damaged personal property
• Lost wages
• Diminished future earning potential
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

One thing some rear-end car accident victims worry about is what happens if they’re partially responsible for the crash. Ohio’s negligence laws say you can still claim compensation after a crash as long as you don’t bear more than 50 percent of the responsibility for what happened. If you are found partially liable for a rear-end car accident, your compensation will be reduced by your portion of fault. However, you mustn’t let this concern derail you since you may not know all the factors that contributed to the accident. Our Ohio personal injury lawyer can discuss the potential compensation that might be available for your claim.

Contact Our Experienced Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers in Akron, OH, Today

You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries after a rear-end car accident. The skilled Ohio car accident lawyers at Amourgis & Associates and attorneys at Law want to help. Get your free initial consultation today.