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Personal Injury Law – Rear End Collisions

A rear-end collision takes place when one vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. This typically occurs when a driver is following too closely behind another vehicle. When the vehicle in front puts on their brakes, it may be too soon for the vehicle traveling behind to stop without a collision. Rear-end accidents are also commonly caused by distracted driving. When drivers take their eyes off of the wheel, even for a moment, their risk of being involved in a rear-end collision significantly rises. By taking your eyes off of the road, you are not able to notice change in traffic patterns. More about Car Accident Attorneys San Antonio here
One reason why a driver would suddenly slam on their brakes is to avoid a collision from the front. Sometimes, cars will switch lanes unexpectedly or there will be something in the road that was not previously seen. The technical term for this is sudden deceleration. In order to visualize the impact that being involved in a rear-end accident would case, hitting a vehicle of approximately the same size is like hitting a brick wall at half of the speed you are currently traveling. The rule of thumb is to stay at a length behind a vehicle where you can at least see their entire bumper. For traveling on the highway, cars should leave even more room in between.

The most common injury that results from this type of collision is whiplash. Victims can sustain this type of injury even going as slow at 15mph. This occurs when the neck muscles are extended beyond their normal range of motion. The pain may not be felt until a full day after the accident. Those who are traveling in the back of vans are also at an increased risk for serious injury or death, because there is not as much room between their seats and the place of impact. Rear-end accidents are common for truck accidents, because trucks do not have the ability to stop as quickly as passenger vehicles.

Most often, those who get hit from behind are the victims while the car from behind is the liable party. In some scenarios though, you may be held partially responsible for a rear-end collision even if you were the one traveling in front. Insurance companies will always hold the vehicle traveling in behind liable because they were not traveling at a great enough distance behind the vehicle in front of them. There is one exception to this rule, however, and that is if the vehicle in front was in reverse gear. This can happen in parking lots when cars are reversing out of a spot and impact a vehicle traveling down the lane of the parking spaces.

If you were injured in a rear-end collision, then you will need to file a car insurance claim. One of the complications that can arise in these situations is that the other driver of the vehicle was not properly insured. Our firm can help with uninsured motorist claims as well as underinsured motorist claims. Basically, we exist to see that you get the compensation you deserve. You may have even been deemed partially liable, and we can possibly help you contest this in order to maximize your recovery. For more details about your car crash, contact the office today.

Please note, the Carabin Shaw Law Office has moved to 875 E Ashby # 1100 San Antonio, Texas 78212