Memphis Rear-End Collision Attorneys
Were you the victim of a rear-end collision? Did you suffer injuries as a result of your accident? You could pursue substantial compensation with the help of a rear-end collisions lawyer from Gold Law Firm.
Rear-end auto accidents are one of the most common types of collisions on the road. They may not seem as severe as other accidents, such as a head-on crash, but they come with serious risks, and they can be fatal. At accelerated speeds, getting hit from behind by another vehicle can cause whiplash, a concussion, broken bones, or worse.
If you’re involved in a rear-end accident, it’s typically the motorist behind you who is to blame. All drivers are supposed to pay attention to the car in front of them and keep an appropriate distance. If they need to slam on their brakes, they should have enough space between them and the vehicle ahead of them to stop in time.
If you were the victim of a rear-end collision, contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you secure the compensation you’re owed. Contact the Gold Law Firm’s Memphis attorneys today at (901) 244-5003 for a free consultation.
Why Rear-End Collisions Happen and How to Determine Fault
The most common reason rear-end collisions occur is because someone is following too closely behind the car in front of them. Referred to as tailgating, it’s a dangerous and extremely reckless action. Whenever someone tailgates the vehicle ahead, the risk of an accident increases tremendously if the driver in front needs to stop or slow down suddenly.
If tailgating is coupled with distracted driving, it could lead to a fatal rear-end collision. Most of these accidents are avoidable as long as drivers pay attention to their surroundings and focus on the car ahead. If someone is looking down at their phone texting, they won’t notice that the car in front of them stopped, before it’s too late.
Speeding, aggressive driving, and faulty brakes could also cause a rear-end crash. If the motorist who collided with the rear of another vehicle was tailgating or committed some type of traffic infraction, it’s most likely their fault, and you can pursue legal action against them.
Some situations, however, occur because of the front driver’s negligence or another party’s actions entirely. Those circumstances include the following:
- When the front motorist brakes for no valid reason in a way that is unsafe and unreasonable
- When there are three vehicles in a rear-end collision, and the third vehicle crashes into the middle car, which causes it to collide with the front vehicle
- When the driver in front makes an illegal lane change or turns into the rear driver’s path
- When the front driver doesn’t replace or repair their damaged or defective brake lights
- When the brake manufacturer created a defective product that made it difficult for a vehicle to stop
- When the front motorist taps on their brakes or stops intentionally as a form of aggressive driving
Determining fault in a rear-end collision can be complicated. Hiring a rear-end collision lawyer from Gold Law Firm will help you hold the negligent driver responsible and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Resulting from a Rear-End Collision
Some rear-end auto accidents are minor and don’t cause any physical harm to those involved. Others, especially ones occurring at high speeds, can lead to life-threatening injuries or fatalities. The most common injuries victims of rear-end collisions sustain include:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Lacerations or bruising
- Ejection injury when the victim doesn’t use a seatbelt
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injury
Depending on the type and severity of the injury, there could be permanent injuries that require lifelong medical treatment, disfigurement, or a disability. When severe injuries occur, it leads to thousands of dollars in medical bills and psychological trauma.
How to Recover Compensation After a Rear-End Collision
If you suffered an injury from a rear-end accident, you likely incurred a variety of losses. If the at-fault driver caused the crash, they would be financially responsible for covering your damages. Damages are the expenses and losses suffered as a result of an auto accident.
Gold Law Firm will handle each step of your insurance claim to pursue the maximum compensation available. In the state of Tennessee, there are three options for recovering your damages.
- Liability Insurance: The negligent driver will likely have liability auto insurance to cover your expenses. Tennessee law requires anyone who owns or operates a motor vehicle to carry insurance. The bodily injury and property damage limits listed on the policy will determine how much money you can go after when you file your claim.
- UM Insurance: UM insurance is not a requirement, but it is optional coverage on your own auto insurance policy. If you choose to have it, it can cover the expenses related to your rear-end collision if the other motorist doesn’t have liability insurance.
- Third-Party Lawsuit: If your claim gets denied or the settlement amount isn’t enough to pay for all your losses, you can sue the driver who crashed into the rear of your vehicle. Punitive damages punish the person for their negligent actions. Instead of receiving compensation from the insurance company, the at-fault party pays you directly.
When you hire Gold Law Firm, we will begin to work on your case immediately. We’ll investigate the rear-end crash and determine who was at fault. We’ll also need to collect sufficient evidence that proves the other person caused your injuries.
The most important evidence we’ll need to gather includes:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Copies of auto insurance policies
- Photos of the crash scene
- Video surveillance of the accident
- Copies of your medical records and medical bills
- Vehicle repair estimates and invoices
- Any additional documentation necessary to show fault and that your injury was the result of the collision
We can file an insurance claim on your behalf and submit all necessary documents to the adjuster. When it comes time to negotiate a settlement, we’ll make sure to fight aggressively to get you the maximum compensation available. You shouldn’t have to pay for your own expenses. We’ll work diligently to ensure the insurance company pays you what you deserve.
Damages You’re Entitled to After a Rear-End Collision
As the victim of a rear-end auto accident, you can receive compensation for multiple damages. The damages injured parties can pursue include:
- Medical costs
- Past and future lost wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Permanent scarring or impairment
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
- Property damage
- Death benefits if the injured person dies as a result of the crash
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule when it comes to car accident damages. If you share 50% or higher of the blame for the crash occurring, you won’t be able to seek compensation. If you share less than 50% fault, that percentage determines the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
As an example, if the driver behind you crashed into the rear of your vehicle and was found to be 80% at fault, that means you were 20% to blame. Your 20% could be because you were texting on your phone or merged illegally. If your damages total $100,000, you have to subtract 20%, which leaves you with $80,000 you’re allowed to receive at the most.
How Gold Law Firm Can Help You
When victims of rear-end collisions try to file their own insurance claim, it can harm their claim. Insurance adjusters will try to take advantage of someone who chose not to seek legal representation.
If the adjuster assigned to your claim discovers you didn’t hire a lawyer, they might provide a low settlement offer in an attempt to get you to settle quickly. They could also deny your claim entirely, so you can’t receive any amount of compensation.
If you’re unfamiliar with the legal process, you won’t know the compensation you’re entitled to and how to submit appropriate evidence that proves your claim. You could end up missing a strict deadline or signing forms that prevent you from seeking the maximum compensation available.
Gold Law Firm will walk you through the claims process, so you understand your rights. We always pursue the maximum settlement possible to cover our clients’ total costs. If we believe the insurance company is mistreating you, we can file a lawsuit and will aggressively argue your case in court.
You don’t have to go through this devastating ordeal on your own. We will be by your side every step of the way and help you get through this. When you hire us, you can depend on excellent customer service, one-on-one attention, and a dedicated team that treats you with respect.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you want to meet with one of our experienced Memphis car accident lawyers, contact Gold Law Firm for a free consultation. There’s no risk to meet with us and receive the advice you need to determine your best course of action. We’ll review the details of your case and let you know what your options are.
Did you sustain an injury from a rear-end collision? If so, call us at (901) 244-5003 today to find out how we can recover the financial compensation you deserve.
