A rear-end collision can be both shocking and disorienting, leaving you with unanswered questions about the steps to take next. If you find yourself in such a situation in Dayton, our Dayton rear-end collision accident lawyers are here to provide clarity, compassion, and support.
From understanding your rights to navigating the complexities of your claim, our Dayton car accident lawyers can guide you toward a favorable resolution. Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC for a free consultation today. If a client is not well enough to visit our office yet, we will travel to see them.
Recoverable Damages in a Dayton Rear-End Collision
Rear-end crashes can happen anywhere in Dayton, from parking lots to exit and entry ramps for busy highways like I-75. A sudden jolt from behind can cause severe injuries or even push you into oncoming traffic, putting you and your passengers at risk of sustaining further injuries.
Depending on the specifics of your case, our Dayton personal injury lawyers may be able to collect evidence of and seek compensation for losses and damages that include:
- Medical care and treatment costs for personal injuries
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and medical supply expenses
- Lost income
- Lost future income if the accident affects your ability to work
- Disability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Recovering Fair Compensation for Your Motor Vehicle Accident
Our Dayton auto accident lawyers can help you pursue all of these damages and more. You can depend on us to support you throughout your case by:
- Being available to you 24/7 to provide legal advice and suggestions
- Keeping you updated on your case’s progress
- Speaking with all other parties on your behalf, especially the insurance companies
The Fitch Law Firm LLC understands that this is a difficult time for you and your family. We want to put our 30-plus years of experience to work in your case to ensure that justice is done.
Rear-End Collision Injuries and Damages
Rear-end collisions subject the occupants of the vehicle that was struck to sudden and considerable force from the rear. The injuries in rear-end accidents can be somewhat different from those in other types of accidents. Injuries that rear-end accident victims may experience and sue for include:
- Spinal cord, nerve, and back injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Knee injuries
- Airbag impact injuries
As you embark on the journey to recovery, it is important to consider the full extent of your injuries and the impact they have on your life. Our Dayton rear-end collision accident lawyers are committed to advocating for the comprehensive compensation you deserve. Let us shoulder the legal burden, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your recovery.
Our Lawyers Can Prove Fault and Liability for Rear-End Collisions in Dayton
Although the driver who struck another vehicle from behind is commonly at fault, victims may still need to demonstrate liability with evidence, especially if the other party tries to deny wrongdoing. Our Dayton car accident attorneys must establish the following four points:
- That the at-fault driver had a duty of care to drive with the safety of others in mind
- That a failure to drive safely or safely operate a vehicle resulted in an accident
- That the accident victim suffered injuries as a result
- That the accident victim’s injuries led to physical, financial, or mental damages
Evidence Our Rear-End Collision Law Firm Can Collect to Strengthen Your Case
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your rear-end crash, there are many ways to determine fault. Consider the following forms of proof that our legal team may use in a rear-end collision case:
- Your personal testimony is at the heart of your case. Our accident injury law firm in Dayton can interview you about the crash and how it changed your life.
- Photographic or video evidence in the form of dashcam footage or surveillance camera and CCTV footage can be used to see what happened and how an accident unfolded.
- The official police report from the Dayton Police Department or the Ohio State Highway Patrol contains their assessment of how your accident happened and its consequences.
- The accident vehicles can be examined to determine if a defective part caused your rear-end crash.
- Witnesses who were present during or after the crash can be tracked down and interviewed so they can provide their perspective on what really happened.
Our Dayton rear-end collision car accident attorneys can help you figure out who you can sue and how much they owe you.
The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.
(614) 545-3930Causes of Rear-End Collisions in Dayton, Ohio
Knowing the accident’s cause is essential to holding the responsible party accountable for any injuries and property damage. The following are examples of common situations:
- A driver operates a vehicle while drowsy, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As a result, their reaction times are delayed, and they take too long to react to a vehicle stopping in front of them.
- A driver tailgates another vehicle too closely and ends up striking the leading vehicle when it makes a sudden stop.
- Poor brake maintenance or worn brakes can prevent a vehicle from coming to a timely stop.
- Speeding can prevent a driver from stopping in time, even if they quickly identify a road hazard and immediately apply the brakes.
- Reckless, negligent, or rash driving can increase the likelihood of striking someone from behind.
If you were injured in a rear-end collision, you may be eligible to recoup damages. To find out how the personal injury attorneys at The Fitch Law Firm LLC can help you do so, call us for a free consultation today.
How the Cause of Your Dayton Accident Affects Compensation
In Ohio, a driver who hits another car from behind may not be held fully accountable for the collision. Even in rear-end collisions, our state applies a modified contributory fault rule, found at Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33. Anyone who is less than 50 percent at fault for an accident cannot proceed with a civil case for damages.
Even if you do not know who caused your crash or if you played a role in it, we encourage you to call us. Our rear-end collision car accident attorneys in Dayton, Ohio, can hire an accident reconstruction specialist to assess liability if you are not sure if you contributed to the accident.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Rear-End Collision?
The Fitch Law Firm LLC also handles wrongful death lawsuits. Our Dayton car accident lawyers can assist the decedent’s estate and their surviving spouse, parents, or child(ren) in bringing a wrongful death lawsuit in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.01.
While you concentrate on getting through this challenging period, we take on your case. Although we recognize that money is not your main concern, a fair settlement can help with:
- Paying any accident-related fees, like medical bills and funeral expenses, for your deceased loved one
- Compensating you for the wages your loved one would have contributed to your household over the course of their lifetime
- Recovering extra money in response to your grief and the loss of your loved one’s companionship, care, and guidance
We Will Be
There To Help
You All The Way
Read-End Collision FAQ That Our Accident Lawyers Can Address
Below, you will find answers to questions frequently asked of our Dayton rear-end accident lawyers. If you have further questions about something we did not cover here, we would be happy to answer them during a free consultation.
How Long Do You Have To File a Dayton Rear-End Collision Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 is generally two years. In other words, this deadline gives you a maximum of two years from the accident date to file your claim.
However, the statute of limitations may not always be clear—primarily if doctors do not diagnose your injuries until long after the accident. If that happens to you, one of the car accident lawyers from our law firm can review your case and determine if you still have time under the statute of limitations to seek damages.
How Do You Protect Your Right to Compensation After a Dayton Collision?
After a rear-end collision, make sure you seek medical attention. Even if you did not have to go to the emergency room immediately after the accident, you could still be suffering from injuries with delayed symptoms. Only a doctor can diagnose you and prescribe a treatment plan.
Always follow through with your treatment, since an insurance adjuster can undervalue or deny your claim if you do not. They may try to argue that, if you ignore doctor’s orders, you are not badly injured after all. Protect your health and your right to compensation by seeing a doctor as soon as possible.
How Do Insurance Settlements Work for Rear-End Collision Cases?
Ohio is not a no-fault state for insurance purposes, so you will need to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company to recover compensation for your damages. However, since the liable party’s insurance coverage determines what you will collect through a settlement, you could still find yourself with considerable losses that the policy will not cover.
If you face this situation, you must be prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party to get the most out of your claim. This may sound intimidating, but remember that our Dayton accident injury lawyers can take care of everything.
Will You Have to Go to Court to Obtain Compensation for a Rear-End Collision?
Many cases settle before the trial stage, but you should always prepare for the possibility of going to court. Although you could recover an insurance settlement that adequately meets your needs, going to court may be your best opportunity to recover damages if:
- The responsible party denies liability
- The insurance company decides not to negotiate
- The insurance company tries to assign liability to you
- There are unbridgeable disagreements between you and the insurer
The Fitch Law Firm LLC is prepared to represent clients in court. While we can fight hard for a pretrial settlement, we do not back down if we have to fight for Dayton residents like you in the courtroom, either.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Dayton Rear-End Collisions Attorney?
Hiring our rear-end collision attorneys may be more cost-effective than you think. Our personal injury law firm can work with you on contingency. A contingency-fee agreement means you will not cover any of the upfront costs of pursuing your case. Instead, our legal team absorbs all the risk of pursuing your claim. It works like this:
- We start your case without requiring any payment from you.
- Our contract will state what percentage of your car accident settlement we will take as payment.
- If we do not win your case, you pay no attorney’s fees.
- If you receive a settlement or verdict, your payment comes out as the agreed-upon percentage of your award.
The Fitch Law Firm LLC Can Represent You in Your Dayton Car Accident Case
It can be difficult to seek compensation for damages after a crash, especially if you were injured and need to focus on your recovery. This is where the Dayton rear-end collision accident lawyers with The Fitch Law Firm LLC may be able to help.
From gathering case-related evidence to filing a claim and negotiating with the at-fault parties responsible for the accident on your behalf, The Fitch Law Firm LLC can provide you with assistance in an understandably trying time. To learn more about our services in a free consultation with a member of our team, contact our office today.