Injuries sustained in a rear-end accident can vary widely from bruising and whiplash to fractured bones, spinal cord injuries, and serious head trauma. When an injury results in costly medical expenses, missed time from work, and damaged property, you shouldn’t have to struggle to make ends meet, especially when another party is responsible for your accident. The Cumming car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. can help you pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses, so you can focus on recovering.
Rear-end collisions are an all-too-common sight on Georgia roads. In fact, according to numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 29 percent of all car crashes on U.S. roads are rear-end collisions. However, “common” doesn’t mean that they should be ignored or brushed off as simple fender benders. Rear-end collisions can be serious, even deadly. The Georgia Department of Public Safety has recorded 231,968 injuries and 783 fatalities between 2013 and mid-2017 from rear-end crashes.
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we work diligently to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions. No victim should be made to suffer physically or financially because of the reckless actions of another driver. That’s why our compassionate legal team works hard to get victims the maximum amount of financial recovery they are entitled to.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a rear-end collision, make time to contact the legal team at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.. We can review your case, lay out your legal options, and help you recover the money you deserve. Call 770-205-8827 to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you get through this difficult time.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Driving 101 teaches us that all drivers must maintain a safe distance from the driver ahead of them. This gives all drivers the appropriate time to react and slow down in response to changes in traffic patterns, weather conditions, or sudden emergencies. Unfortunately, this is a rule that many people have forgotten or have simply chosen to ignore. According to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 87 percent of rear-end collisions could have been avoided if the rear driver had been paying attention or following the rules of the road.
Some of the most common causes of rear-end collisions are easily preventable. They include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving continues to play a major role in most types of accidents, especially rear-end accidents. The NHTSA finds that a driver taking their eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 55mph is the equivalent of their traveling the length of a football field with their eyes closed. This is something that drivers should take into consideration before reading that text, making a call, or typing in an address in the GPS.
- Driving under the influence: Driving drunk or while on drugs significantly impairs almost all of the body’s normal functions. These substances slow reaction time, impact coordination and judgment, while also impairing vision. Unfortunately, drunk driving causes some of the most serious and deadly rear-end accidents because they happen at higher speeds.
- Aggressive driving: Aggressive driving is a behavior that specifically disregards public safety and is performed either deliberately or with negative intentions. Common aggressive driving behaviors that can cause rear-end accidents include tailgating, speeding, unsafe lane changes, and cutting off other drivers.
- Drowsy driving: Studies have begun to demonstrate that a lack of sleep impacts the body much the same way that alcohol does, slowing down reaction time, coordination, and thought processes. That means that driving while drowsy can have the same negative outcome as drunk driving.
- Bad weather conditions: Many drivers fail to exercise increased caution in bad weather conditions, and this behavior, even more than the conditions themselves, are typically responsible for rear-end collisions. Drivers are responsible for taking into account the conditions and altering their behavior, including slowing down and leaving extra space between vehicles.
Injuries That Can Result From a Rear-End Crash
Rear-end accidents are often considered less dangerous than other types of car accidents. However, that is, unfortunately, not the case. From 2013 to mid-2017, the Georgia Department of Public Safety has recorded 783 fatalities and over 230,000 injuries from rear-end collisions on Georgia roads. These injuries can range from moderate to severe, depending on the speed and circumstances of the crash.
Some of the most common types of injuries that result from rear-end collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Facial fractures and injuries
- Other head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Punctured lungs
- Crushed ribs
- Fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Damage to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Wrongful death
These types of injuries can impact a victim for the rest of their life, causing significant physical and even mental limitations. The cost of treating these injuries often doesn’t stop when the victim is released from the hospital. Bills continue to come in from follow-up appointments, medications, physical therapy, and other rehabilitation measures. Will a one-time insurance settlement take into account the on-going financial hardships that may be incurred down the road due to this rear-end accident?
An experienced Cumming car accident attorney can review the circumstances of your individual case and help you recover the compensation you deserve. At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we look at the whole picture to determine where you stand now and what you’ll need down the road. Then, with evidence in hand, we will build a strong case and aggressively negotiate on your behalf for the full and fair compensation package that you are entitled to. Medical bills shouldn’t send you into debt after a rear-end accident. Make sure you have an attorney on your side that will work with you to get the maximum amount of compensation you are due.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Collision
No two rear-end collision cases are ever the same, and compensation is determined based on the circumstances of the accident. However, in general terms, a victim may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages after being involved in a rear-end collision. Economic damages are measurable losses suffered by the victim, which may include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages may also be assessed but are much more subjective in nature. To estimate non-economic damages, we would take into consideration changes in the victim’s quality of life or mental anguish. Examples of non-economic damages can include:
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
Fault for the accident also comes into play when calculating and distributing compensation. The driver of the car that rear-ends another vehicle is usually considered to be at least partially at fault for the accident. Notice that we say “partially” responsible because the driver in front can also be considered partially liable for a rear-end accident. In the state of Georgia, that matters because of a rule called “modified comparative negligence.”
The modified comparative negligence model can impact how much compensation a victim may be able to recover after a serious rear-end accident. Modified comparative negligence works by assigning each driver a percentage of responsibility for their part in causing an accident. That percentage of fault can then be used to determine the amount of compensation that driver is entitled to receive.
For example, if the victim of a rear-end accident is found to be 10 percent to blame for the circumstances of the accident, that victim would be entitled to the total amount of compensation minus 10 percent. If the compensation amounts to $100,000, that means the victim can collect $90,000. In a modified comparative negligence system, any driver found liable for 50 percent or more of the accident will be unable to collect any compensation.
Securing an attorney is the best way to make sure that you are getting the full and fair amount of compensation that you deserve. An attorney will be able to assess the merits of your case, initiate an investigation into the accident, and build a strong case that demonstrates why you deserve the maximum amount of compensation available. Putting more blame on your shoulders means that the responsible party can pay out less in compensation, meaning they can keep more of their profits. An attorney will gather evidence to back up your case and negotiate on your behalf for all the money you deserve.
Don’t let an aggressive insurance company or reckless driver victimize you again. Get an experienced Cumming attorney on your side early. Contact the office of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. for more information on how one of our skilled attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve and get back on your feet again.
Contact an Experienced Cumming Car Accident Attorney
Dealing with the aftermath of a serious rear-end collision can be both physically and mentally painful. At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we understand the difficulties that you are going through. Bills are piling up, and you may not know who to turn to for help. Before you accept whatever offer the insurance company throws on the table, consult with an experienced Cumming accident attorney. We can review your case, give you advice on all your legal options, and negotiate on your behalf to get the maximum amount of compensation you are due.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries as a result of a rear-end accident, contact Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. today. Call our Cumming office for your free case evaluation and find out what we can do for you.