Did you suffer injuries in a rear-end accident caused by a negligent, careless driver? If so, turn to the Carrollton car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.. Our experienced, qualified car accident attorneys will uphold your rights and help you recover compensation for your medical costs, lost time from work, property damage, and your pain and suffering.
Rear-end collisions aren’t always accidents that people can simply get up and walk away from. They can be dangerous collisions with serious, even deadly consequences. The Georgia Department of Public Safety calculates that between the year 2013 and mid-2017, rear-end collisions accounted for 692,825 crashes and 231,968 injuries on Georgia roads. That’s over half a million people in the state of Georgia who have suffered the fear and anxiety of being involved in a rear-end crash.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear-end collision, don’t become another statistic. Take action to ensure that you are getting the full and fair compensation that you deserve. Medical bills can take a huge financial toll on victims and their families, a burden you shouldn’t have to bear if you have been injured in a rear-end crash. The legal team at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. can help Carrollton accident victims recover the compensation they are entitled to.
To find out how we can help you get on the road to recovery, physically and financially, call 770-205-0933 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Most Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions often happen at intersections where there are stoplights or traffic signs. However, accidents can happen anywhere that a negligent driver is not paying attention to the road or following traffic laws.
In fact, data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that at least 87 percent of all rear-end type accidents could have been avoided if only the rear driver had been paying attention. That means that a basic lack of awareness is responsible for hundreds of thousands of injuries and multiple deaths every single year.
Some of the most common causes of rear-end crashes include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving almost always tops the list when it comes to the most common cause of any type of vehicle accident. Phone calls, text messages, GPS units, eating and drinking, grooming – anything that takes a driver’s eyes and mind off of the road is a distraction, and distractions kill. The Georgia Department of Public Safety estimates that in 2016 alone, distracted driving caused 13,473 rear-end crashes in the state.
- Aggressive driving: Aggressive driving is a blanket term for any type of driving behavior that disregards safety and/or is performed deliberately or with negative intentions. Aggressive driving can include tailgating, speeding, unsafe lane changes, and cutting off other vehicles. This type of reckless behavior can lead to serious rear-end accidents because the aggressive driver tends to have a blatant disregard for the safety of others.
- Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence is a major cause of traumatic rear-end collisions. That is because a driver’s motor skills, judgment, vision, and reaction time are all impaired. Often an inebriated driver either doesn’t see a stopped vehicle ahead of them or is unable to slow down or respond to changes in traffic patterns or conditions. This tends to result in high-speed rear-end collisions, which can cause devastating damage and injuries.
- Drowsy driving: Medical studies have shown that drowsy driving is very similar to driving under the influence. Drowsy drivers have impaired judgment and slowed reflexes similar to drunk drivers, which can lead to accidents. A drowsy driver that falls asleep behind the wheel, even for only a few seconds, is also prone to causing high-speed rear-end collisions.
- Disregard for traffic laws: Drivers looking to avoid hitting a red light, or who think they can roll through a stop or yield sign without paying attention to their surroundings often cause rear-end accidents. This lack of awareness for their surroundings and disregard for following traffic laws is a dangerous combination.
- Inclement weather: Inclement weather conditions can contribute to major pileups and rear-end accidents, especially in the winter. However, drivers are also responsible for changing their driving behavior to accommodate for poor weather conditions. Going 75 mph on a clear and sunny day is not the same as trying to go 75 in snow and sleet. Drivers are responsible for exercising due caution, slowing down, and leaving extra space between vehicles.
Injuries Associated With Rear-End Crashes
There is a common assumption that rear-end crashes don’t result in serious or traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, that’s often far from the case. A low speed rear-end collision may result in minor to moderate injuries, because the brunt of the impact takes place in the rear of the vehicle, away from the driver. However, concussion, whiplash, and other injuries are still relatively common.
A high-speed rear-end impact can cause life changes and traumatic injuries. Significant facial injuries, broken ribs or other bones, internal damage, and even serious brain damage can occur as a result of a high-speed rear-end collision. The Georgia Department of Public Safety reports that between January of 2013 and June 30th, 2017, 783 fatalities occurred on Georgia roads as a result of rear-end accidents.
Rear-end collisions cause injuries that need to be taken seriously. Some of the most common injuries associated with rear-end accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Facial injuries
- Other head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Fractured bones
- Crushed ribs
- Punctured lungs
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Wrongful death
The costs associated with treating these types of serious injuries can be enormous, putting a significant financial strain on a victim and their family. Recovery time may include time away from work, which can mean missing paychecks and even more pressure for an injured victim to try and rush the healing process. Already vulnerable victims may end up feeling that there is no other choice but to accept the terms of an insurance settlement, even if it means taking less than full and fair compensation for their accident.
An experienced Carrollton rear-end collision attorney can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that is due to you following an accident. By examining the facts of your case and aggressively negotiating on your behalf, an attorney can help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and other costs associated with the accident.
Compensation for a Rear-End Collision
Determining compensation following a rear-end collision is not black and white. The circumstances of the accident, the extent of the injuries, and the time away from work are just some of the factors that will be taken into account to determine compensation.
In most circumstances, a victim can expect to be compensated for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are measurable losses that can be fairly easily calculated. Economic damages typically include things like medical bills, loss of income, and property damage. Non-economic damages tend to be more subjective and harder to calculate. They can include disfigurement, pain and suffering, or loss of companionship.
There is another factor to consider when tabulating compensation after an accident. It is a regulation called the “modified comparative negligence” rule. The state of Georgia follows a system where fault is assigned to each driver following an accident. The percentage of fault or responsibility assigned to each driver impacts the amount of compensation that they are allowed to recover.
For example, if you are involved in a rear-end accident, and the other driver is found to be 90 percent at fault for causing the accident, that means that under the circumstances, you were 10 percent to blame for causing the crash. You would then be entitled to recover the total amount of damages minus 10 percent. So, if your damages totaled $100,000, you could receive $90,000. It is significant to note that under a modified comparative negligence model, a driver that is found to be 50 percent or more responsible for causing an accident will be barred from receiving any form of financial compensation.
Whether you are pursuing an injury claim or lawsuit, you need to have an experienced attorney on your side throughout the process. An attorney will be able to review your case, conduct an investigation that will yield evidence, and use that evidence to build a solid case that demonstrates who is most liable for the accident. This gives you, the victim, the best chance at recovering the maximum amount of compensation available.
However, time is limited. Georgia gives victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. That may sound like a long time, but if an insurance company is dragging their feet on a settlement and then come back with an unsatisfactory offer, you may run out of time to be able to take legal action against them or the negligent driver.
Victims who have legal experience on their side tend to get the money they deserve without being taken advantage of by insurance companies that want to keep their profits secure. For more information on how an experienced Carrollton attorney can help you negotiate a full and fair compensation package, turn to Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C..
Contact an Experienced Carrollton Car Accident Attorney
A rear-end accident is a frightening and painful experience that needs to be taken seriously. At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we have seen the serious repercussions that rear-end collisions can have on victims and their families. That is why we pride ourselves on standing up to protect victims’ rights and work diligently to get them the maximum amount of compensation available after an accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a rear-end collision, you probably have a number of questions. For answers that can give you a clear picture of your entire situation and what your legal options are, contact the team at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.. We want to help Carrollton victims get back on their feet again. Contact us today by calling 770-205-0933 for your free case evaluation.