A rear-end collision happens when one car slams into the back of another. These accidents usually occur when the vehicle in front is stopping or slowing down. And in most cases, crash victims don’t have enough time or space to move out of harm’s way. This can lead to severe injuries with lasting personal and financial consequences.
If you were involved in a Tampa rear-end car accident, you may be feeling the weight of these consequences now. Talk to a knowledgeable rear-end collision attorney at Brooks Law Group today. You could be entitled to compensation to assist with your medical expenses, missed income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
With 30 years of experience representing clients throughout Central Florida, Brooks Law Group is an acclaimed law firm committed to providing personalized and results-driven legal help to injured people. You shouldn’t have to pay the price for other people’s poor decisions. Let us pursue justice and fair compensation for your losses. Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a Tampa rear-end accident lawyer.
Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crashes in the United States. Many rear-end car accidents occur due to:
- Drunk or drugged driving: Intoxicated motorists have reduced reaction times, impaired spatial awareness, and poor decision-making skills, all of which may result in a failure to stop to avoid a rear-end collision.
- Distracted driving: Texting while driving, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, or changing the radio station are all activities that divert a driver’s attention from the road. It only takes a moment’s distraction for a driver to plow into the traffic ahead without applying the brakes.
- Following too closely: Drivers who tailgate can be held liable for a rear-end collision if they fail to leave themselves enough room to avoid striking the back of another car.
- Cutting others off: Zipping in front of other cars in traffic may not give drivers in back enough time or distance to adjust and avoid a rear-end car accident.
For a free legal consultation with a rear-end accident lawyer serving Tampa, call 800 529 3030
Rear-End Accident Statistics
The following rear-end car accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Insurance Information Institute (III) reveal just how common and devastating rear-end accidents can be:
- Roughly one-third to one-half of all two-vehicle crashes in the United States are rear-end collisions.
- Out of all rear-end crashes and near-crash events, 47 percent involve a slower-moving or decelerating lead vehicle and 38 percent involve a stopped lead vehicle.
- Roughly 87 percent of rear-end crashes are caused by distracted driving.
- Around 7 percent of all fatal two-vehicle crashes are rear-end collisions.
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Common Injuries from Rear-End Car Accidents
Even a relatively low-speed, rear-end “fender bender” can leave victims with painful injuries. Common injuries from rear-end car accidents in Tampa include:
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Jaw injuries
- Knee, elbow, and joint injuries
- Broken bones
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Deep cuts and bruises
- Amputation
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Who Is to Blame for Rear-End Crashes in Tampa?
In most cases, the driver who hits the car in front is at fault in a rear-end crash. This is because drivers have to maintain safe following distances behind other vehicles at all times.
However, there are certain situations where following drivers may not be entirely to blame for a rear-end crash. Examples include:
- Chain-reaction accidents, where following drivers are struck from behind by other vehicles and propelled forward into the rear-ends of other cars
- Crashes in which leading drivers unexpectedly move in reverse, “brake check” vehicles behind them, or cut in front of others without leaving adequate space for approaching motorists
- Collisions caused by negligent pedestrians or cyclists who move into oncoming traffic illegally, forcing drivers to slam on their brakes
- Accidents involving vehicle defects or unsafe road conditions caused by the negligence of automakers or government agencies
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Getting Compensation for Your Rear-End Car Accident Injuries
Rear-end collisions frequently leave victims with injuries that require extensive and costly medical treatment, time away from work, and enormous financial strain. If you sustained an injury in a Tampa rear-end car accident through no fault of your own, you will first turn to your own no-fault insurance company to cover your accident-related expenses. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits will pay for a portion of your medical bills and lost wages while you heal.
If you exhaust your PIP benefits and have excess expenses, you may also be able to file a rear-end collision lawsuit against the at-fault driver. To qualify, your injury must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold. By law, a serious injury in Florida is one that causes:
- Significant permanent loss of a bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Significant and permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Death
In a lawsuit, you have the right to demand compensation for all of your financial losses stemming from the wreck, as well as pain and suffering.
How a Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
The aftermath of a rear-end car crash can be overwhelming. At Brooks Law Group, our goal is to make the process of recovering compensation for your injuries as stress-free as possible. We can support you through this challenging time by:
- Explaining your legal options in a free consultation
- Conducting an independent investigation to uncover useful evidence and determine fault
- Communicating with third parties, such as insurance providers, attorneys, and medical professionals, on your behalf
- Consulting with expert witnesses who can shed light on the causes and effects of the crash
- Estimating the potential value of your rear-end collision claim
- Filing your claim and managing all deadlines
- Negotiating aggressively for a top-dollar rear-end car accident settlement
- Taking your case to trial, if that’s your best option for a fair recovery
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