Whether you are stopped at a light or driving along a highway, being rear-ended by another driver is a terrifying experience. Not only does it cause emotional trauma, but the injuries associated with a rear-end accident can be significant. Back injuries, neck injuries, and head injuries are not uncommon in rear-end collisions.
When a sudden force hits your vehicle, any long-term or permanent injuries you sustain are likely to be expensive to treat. Fortunately, rear-end collisions are hardly ever the fault of the person that was hit from the back. If you were rear-ended and want to seek damages from the person who hit you, do not hesitate to contact a car accident attorney in Columbia today.
Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions may be caused by a number of different reasons, and the circumstances of your accident may make you eligible to recover compensation from the person responsible for the incident. The following events are some of the most common reasons why a person may rear-end another driver:
- Drunk driving. Drunk driving, or driving with a blood alcohol limit above 0.08, is illegal and extremely dangerous, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Reckless or aggressive driving. Tailgating and speeding are the two major causes of rear-end accidents. These aggressive behaviors are often emotionally stimulated, making them scary and traumatic situations for victims.
- Texting and driving. Distracted driving is one of the main reasons why rear-end collisions happen. When a driver texts while operating a vehicle, they are unable to pay complete attention to the road. Texting while driving is illegal in South Carolina.
- Reduced traction from wet pavement. Bad weather makes for dangerous driving conditions and may increase the total distance a car needs to safely stop. When roads are wet and drivers don’t have enough distance between them and other drivers, rear-end collisions happen.
Even when a vehicle stops suddenly, a driver should leave plenty of space between in front of them to stop before causing a collision. That being said, the fault for accidents like these often lies with the person who failed to stop in time to avoid the person in front of them.
Goings Law Firm, LLC attorneys handle all types of rear-end accidents that result in a wide range of injuries. No matter what happened to you, and even if you are partially at fault, you should consult with an experienced attorney to find out what compensation you may be eligible for.
Rear-End Collision Injuries
The most common injuries from rear-end accidents are broken bones and soft tissue injuries, such as muscle sprains, strains, and whiplash. When you are rear-ended, the rapid motion of the accident can cause your neck to experience a jarring, hyperextension movement, creating a painful, often long-lasting strain on your neck tissues and even causing brain injury.
Unfortunately, though soft tissue injuries like whiplash are extremely common and painful, they are often hard to quantify to insurance companies and courts.
Victims of whiplash complain of symptoms like headaches, pain, blurred vision, which are difficult to measure and, therefore, are considered by courts and insurance companies easy to exaggerate to gain compensation. This is one reason that having an experienced and qualified attorney can make a world of difference in your case. By compiling a strong argument based on your medical records and piecing together the events of the accident, an attorney can secure the maximum possible compensation you deserve for your injuries.
After a rear-end car accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think you’re injured or you don’t believe your injuries are serious. Many people find that traumatic internal injuries become painful later, even though they aren’t detectable in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
By treating your injuries as early as possible, you rule out the possibility of discovering an injury at a later date. Visiting a doctor or hospital will also create an important medical record that a court can refer to should you decide to pursue compensation.
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. Therefore, when you are involved in a rear-end accident, you need to retain legal counsel as soon as possible to pursue legal action.
Who is Liable in a Rear-End Accident?
Even if you feel that you may have been partially at fault for your accident, you should consult an attorney to see if you may be eligible to file a claim. Most people are considered victims of rear-end accidents and eligible for compensation for their injuries if their car is the one that has been hit. There are a few circumstances where the victim of a rear-end collision is less likely to obtain compensation, including instances where:
- The driver “brake checks” the person who rear-ends them. “Brake checking” is when a driver taps or slams on their brakes to decelerate quickly without reason.
- There is a mechanical failure such as a broken brake light that prevents the other driver from knowing when to stop.
- The driver reverses abruptly.
If none of these things happened, then it becomes easier for an attorney to prove that your injuries were the direct cause of another driver’s negligence.
Why Hire Us?
Rear-end accidents are all too common in South Carolina and across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that out of all car accidents, 28 percent of crashes are rear-end collisions.
Goings Law Firm, LLC will help get justice for you and your loved ones in the aftermath of a painful rear-end accident by working to get compensation from the negligent parties responsible. We treat each of our clients with the dedicated attention and care they deserve and need in order to begin healing.
We understand that facing the legal process after experiencing a painful accident can seem overwhelming. That’s why we offer all of our services free of charge unless we win compensation for you.
Not just any attorney can provide you with the resources you need to win a rear-end collision case. Goings Law Firm, LLC offers each client the personalized service you would expect of a boutique family agency, but we have the legal insight and specialized resources of a large firm.
In 2011, lead attorney Robert F. Goings was named an Emerging Legal Leader among South Carolina lawyers. His work on personal injury cases, along with the legal expertise of Jessica L. O’Neill Gooding and Christian E. Boesl, has secured millions of dollars for their neighbors in the Columbus area.
Contact Goings Law Firm, LLC today to see if you may be eligible to obtain compensation for the rear-end accident injuries you experienced.
Contact a Rear-End Collisions Attorney in Columbia Today
If you were rear-ended by another driver and are now burdened by medical expenses and lost wages because of your injuries, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the party responsible for your accident. Please contact the Columbia rear-end collision attorneys at the Goings Law Firm, LLC, by calling (803) 350-9230 today to discuss your case with an experienced and skilled lawyer.
