Rear-end accidents are a leading cause of back injuries in the United States. Some rear-end car crashes can be deadly as well, such as undercarriage accidents, high-speed collisions, and accidents involving trucks.
If you were involved in a rear-end accident, a Springfield rear-end collision car accident lawyer may be able to assist you. Please contact The Fitch Law Firm LLC to learn more about how rear-end accidents are handled, the kinds of evidence needed to prove the liability of an at-fault motorist, and how and when to file a claim for compensation if your case warrants one.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win Compensation in Your Rear-end Car Accident Case
Our Springfield law firm provides free consultations to car accident victims who want to explore their legal options and hold the negligent driver accountable. We also offer clients our no-fee guarantee. You will not pay any attorneys’ fees for your personal injury lawyer unless we win your case. We receive a percentage only after we have obtained a favorable settlement or verdict for compensation on your behalf.
Causes of Accidents and Rear-End Collisions
Accidents can be caused in many ways. The following can all cause an accident:
Circumstances Outside of Driver Control That Lead to Read-end Crashes
These factors may be classified as beyond the control of the driver:
- Poor lighting
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Damaged roads
- Missing signage
- Equipment malfunctions
These factors can all cause or contribute to a rear-end collision. They are beyond the control of a driver, although drivers must always exercise caution when driving and know when not to drive.
Driver Errors That Lead to Rear-end Collisions
Errors or negligence on the part of a driver can also lead to a rear-end collision. The following are generally in the control of the driver but can still cause an accident:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Driver inexperience
- Unfamiliarity with roadways
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Poor vehicle maintenance, such as driving with worn brake pads
If a distracted driver is unable to respond to sudden stops or hazards on the road ahead, he or she can collide with another vehicle from behind. Examples of distracted driving include eating or drinking while driving, texting while driving, adjusting device controls, applying makeup, and any other activity that is not directly related to driving.
Driving Under the Influence
Another important factor that can increase the chances of having a rear-end collision is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This behavior can also lead to an accident by impairing decision-making, prolonging your reaction time, and causing you to be overconfident about your abilities. These factors can all raise the likelihood of an accident occurring.
Anything that a driver does intentionally or unintentionally that puts others in undue harm can be classified as negligence.
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Rear-End Collision Injuries
The injuries that the occupants of a vehicle sustain in an accident depend on the speed at which they were traveling—or the speed at which they were struck—and the angle at which they were struck. When it comes to rear-end accidents, common injuries include:
- Head, neck, and upper back injuries
- Broken limbs and joints, especially the knees
- Cuts and lacerations from broken glass or flying objects
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve and muscle injuries
Medical treatments for these injuries can be expensive, especially for cases involving nerve or organ damage and broken bones. Some injuries, such as neck or back injuries, may require long-term therapy. Serious injuries may require invasive procedures, such as surgery and medications like muscle relaxants before the patient can recover.
Available Compensation in a Car Accident Claim May Be Capped in Ohio
Depending on your insurance limits and the types of coverage that you and the at-fault driver have, the amount of compensation you may be entitled to seek for injuries and losses suffered in an accident may be capped, per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2315.18(B)(2). A Springfield rear-end collisions lawyer can help you break down the coverage limits, coverage conditions, and evidentiary requirements of your policy before you file a claim.
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Liability for Rear-End Collisions in Springfield, OH
When determining fault for vehicle accidents, a thorough investigation is usually required to determine how the accident occurred, what factors came into play, and who should shoulder the blame for the accident. Varying degrees of liability may be used if different parties contributed to the accident, which is known as contributory fault.
In Ohio, as long as someone is not more than 50% responsible for an accident, he or she can claim damages for his or her losses from an accident, per ORC §2315.33.
When it comes to rear-end accidents, the rear-ending driver is almost always at fault.
Building a Case for Compensation After a Rear-End Collision in Springfield
Though rear drivers are often to blame, you and your car accident lawyer will still need to show how the crash happened. An investigation should be conducted to determine the specific actions that led to the rear-end collision. Your Springfield car accident attorney will search for evidence of negligence– any breach of the driver’s duty to drive with care. In car accident cases like this, forms of evidence we may collect include:
- The rear-end crash report
- Copies of any citations given
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos of the scene
- Maintenance logs and vehicle inspection reports
- Video footage of the accident/and or aftermath (including traffic footage, dash cam footage, cell phone recordings, and footage nearby security cameras
- Expert opinion of accident reconstructionists
Various safe driving rules may also come into play when determining fault for a rear-end collision. After speaking to you to gather preliminary details of the accident, a Springfield rear-end collision attorney will be able to determine the necessary evidence to gather and the appropriate source to obtain it from.
Gathering Evidence of the Losses You’ve Suffered
In addition to finding evidence to prove fault, we will also retrieve evidence of your injuries and related losses. This is integral to recovering the settlement amount you deserve. We’ll compile documented evidence of financial losses you’ve incurred.
Examples of the evidence we gather include:
- Medical bills
- Bank statements
- Bills and receipts for accident-related expenses
- Receipts for damaged or destroyed personal items/property
- Repair estimates
- Replacement value quotes
- Timesheets and work schedules
- Pay stubs
Our priority is to gather any evidence that supports your claim for fair and full compensation.
Compensation and Damages
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for every person killed in a vehicle crash, there are nine others hospitalized, and another 88 more who receive treatment from an emergency room. Vehicle accidents cost Americans tens of billions of dollars every year in treatment expenses, litigation overheads, insurance administration, and lost productivity.
Victims of a rear-end crash may be able to seek compensation for personal losses and damages from an at-fault party responsible for an accident, including compensation for:
- Lost wages or lower earning potential
- Compensation for wrongful death
- Medical care and treatment costs
- Surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy costs
- Diagnostic testing and medication costs
Statute of Limitations for Rear-End Car Accidents in Ohio
Generally speaking, Ohio provides personal injury victims two years from the date of the accident or two years from the date of discovery of injury to file a lawsuit in court. There may be exceptions to that deadline that apply to your case, so speaking to a rear-end car accident lawyer serving Springfield may be helpful to ensure you are within your rights to file a claim.
Our attorneys will work diligently to build a case that demands your fair compensation, but a compelling case takes time. The more time your lawyer has to work on your case, the stronger it can be. So, don’t wait to reach out to us.
At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, Your Springfield Rear-end Car Accident Case Is Our Priority
After an accident, your top priority is your recovery and the well-being of everyone else affected by the accident. You should not have to bear the burden of paying for treatments or vehicle repairs if the negligence of another driver caused your accident. A Springfield rear-end collisions lawyer at The Fitch Law Firm LLC may be able to assist you with your accident case.
Call Now for a Free Consultation
Please contact our offices today for a free consultation. A team member is available to discuss your rights and options with you as well as determine your best course of action. You don’t have to navigate the insurance claims and/or lawsuit process alone and shouldn’t. Allow us to manage all the legal legwork while you focus on your health and family. We will work tirelessly for the outcome you deserve.