Rear-end accidents are incredibly common in Southern California and throughout the United States. Approximately 1.7 million rear-end accidents happen every year in the United States. Nearly 500,000 people suffer injuries from a rear-end accident every year, and over 1,700 people die from a rear-end accident every year.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a rear-end collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Many victims of rear-end car accidents have a difficult time paying for all of their medical bills while needing to take time off work to recover. At SoCal Injury Lawyers, our Southern California rear-end collision lawyers can help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact our personal injury lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.
Causes of Rear-End Collision Accidents
Southern California drivers are more distracted than ever. Talking, texting, and lack of awareness are common causes of rear-end collisions. Other common causes of rear-end collisions include the following:
- Changing the radio station
- Eating while driving
- Distraction due to passengers
- Distraction due to kids in the back seat
- Road rage
- Malfunctioning brakes
- A malfunctioning accelerator, or other mechanical problem
- Talking to a passenger
- Using a GPS device
- Texting or sending emails on an electronic device
Common Injuries Suffered By Victims of Rear-End Accidents
The lives of those injured in rear-end accidents can change in an instant. Even rear-end accidents at relatively low speeds can cause severe injuries, such as back injuries, severe neck injuries, and broken vertebrae. In severe accidents, traumatic brain disorders and paralysis can result.
In a rear-end car accident, the force placed on the head of the driver or passenger can cause the head to snap back and forth. When the head whips back against the seat, the neck and brain can become injured. In many cases, the full extent of a person’s neck and back injuries doesn’t become apparent until days or even weeks after the accident. Soft tissue damage to the back and neck can cause excruciating pain and make it difficult to engage in work and other daily activities.
Proving Negligence After a Drunk Driving Accident
Victims of rear-end accidents will need to prove that someone’s negligence caused their injuries to recover compensation. Negligence happens when a driver breaches the standard of reasonable care.
Determining who is at fault for your rear-end collision is an important first step. If a commercial truck driver caused the rear-end collision, the injured victim may be able to bring a lawsuit against the trucking company. If an Uber or Lyft driver negligently caused your rear-end collision, the injured victim would be able to file an insurance claim with Uber or Lyft for compensation.
Most rear-end accidents happen when a driver isn’t paying attention and collides with the car in front. Drivers owe each other a reasonable duty of care, including following traffic laws and paying attention to the vehicle in front. Rear-end accidents can happen in a variety of ways:
- Failure to maintain control of your vehicle
- Failure to stop in time
- Failure to drive at a reasonable speed in the current conditions
- Failure to pay attention to the car in front of you
- Failure to keep enough distance between vehicles
- Unsafe lane changes in front of another vehicle causing a rear-end collision
In addition to proving that the other party acted negligently, you will need to prove that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Many rear-end collisions are straightforward. The driver from behind negligently failed to stop his or her car in time to prevent the accident.
Don’t Ignore Your Injuries After a Rear-End Accident
The final step in securing damages is to prove that you suffered bodily injuries because of the rear-end collision. One of the best ways to show that the rear-end accident caused your injuries is to seek medical care. If you’re seriously injured, it is wise to go to the emergency room after the accident. Follow all of the instructions given to you by your doctor and keep all of your medical records. Keeping all of your medical records and following your doctor’s orders will help you prove that the rear-end accident caused your injuries.
Whiplash Is A Common Rear-End Accident Injuries
Whiplash is a common injury caused by a rear-end collision. Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when the neck is forced back and forth rapidly, like the cracking of a whip. Every whiplash injury is unique. Sometimes, victims of whiplash recover relatively quickly within a few weeks. In other cases, victims of whiplash suffer chronic neck pain and other severe, long-lasting medical conditions. The symptoms of whiplash include:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Tenderness or pain in the upper back, arms, or shoulder
- Headaches that often start at the base of the victim’s skull
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- A worsening of pain with movement of the neck
- Neck stiffness
- Neck pain
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
Serious whiplash cases can cause a limited range of motion, pain that spreads to the arms, and severe neck pain. Unfortunately, whiplash doesn’t always go away and can make it difficult, if not impossible, for people to work. If you’ve suffered serious injuries due to whiplash, SoCal Injury Lawyers can help you seek to recover damages for your financial losses.
Recovering Compensation for Your Rear-End Accident
Successful plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the cost of medical care related to the rear-end accident, loss of income, and any other expenses related to your injuries. Non-economic damages include compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the rear-end collision.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers As Soon As Possible
If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury caused by a negligent driver’s rear-end collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. The sooner you speak to an experienced lawyer, the better. The experienced accident lawyers at SoCal Injury Lawyers are here to help advocate for your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.