Driving is a necessity throughout Texas because of the state’s large size. Many people rely on their cars to help them get to work, see friends and family, or travel. Driving is one of the most reliable and fastest modes of transportation available.
However, driving comes with numerous risks because of high speeds and reckless drivers, leading to devastating car accidents. In 2017, across the United States, 1,899,000 people experienced injuries from a serious car crashes, and 34,247 died in fatal car collisions. These statistics are shocking and demonstrate the safety concerns every person must consider when they drive.
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents, and they can have deadly consequences, causing 7.2% of all of the driving fatalities in 2017.
Even in less serious rear-end collisions, you may have numerous injuries that can completely change your daily life. Rear-end accidents are devastating, and you may experience intense anger at the person who caused this crash. They should have done more to protect you and your loved ones from experiencing this trauma.
You deserve justice after a life-altering rear-end accident, and the Austin read-end collision attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury are ready to help. We work to protect you and your financial interests after a collision. We are committed to pursuing every legal avenue to get compensation for the losses you have suffered.
You need to act as soon as possible after being involved in a rear-end accident. Contact Gibson Hill Personal Injury at (737) 249-6300 today to schedule a free consultation about your case.
Why You Need a Rear-End Collision Lawyer
After a rear-end accident, you may have to discuss this accident with law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and possibly even the other driver’s attorney.
These individuals will ask for your perspective on how this collision happened. Some of them may try to confuse you or discredit you to avoid paying you the compensation that you need.
Any changes in your recollection of events or your explanation of the facts could offer a reason for them to try to shift blame to you, which can weaken your case.
Your rear-end accident lawyer will help you manage these high-pressure conversations and protect your rights under the law. They will help you develop your statement and present evidence in a way that is clear and concrete.
They will also act as an intermediary during these calls, to make sure that no one tries to take advantage of you. The time after a rear-end collision can be trying and confusing for both you and your loved ones.
You need an experienced advocate working on your side to answer your questions and provide you with guidance throughout this process. When you work with a personal injury lawyer, you will have the support you need. They can help ensure that you receive the highest amount of compensation possible for your damages.
Why Choose Gibson Hill Personal Injury?
After many years of working with clients after catastrophic car accidents, the attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury have the skills and expertise necessary to help you get the compensation you deserve.
We know the specifics of personal injury law and we are prepared to use our innovative approach to protect you and your loved ones after a rear-end accident.
We understand that you are facing numerous changes to your life after this accident, and the idea of pursuing legal action can seem daunting, if not impossible.
However, when you work with our attorneys, you will have the support you need to make this process as stress-free as possible. You have already been through enough pain, and Gibson Hill Personal Injury will work to ensure that you do not have to endure any more while fighting for your rights.
Contact us now at (737) 249-6300 to schedule a free consultation about your rear-end collision.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Traffic laws, street signs, and other road warnings all help to keep people safe while they are driving. Ultimately, these provisions can only work when the drivers themselves take responsibility for their safety and the safety of everyone around them.
Every driver is responsible for paying attention to the road in front of them so they can manage changes in traffic and prepare for road hazards.
Most rear-end collisions are avoidable when everyone on the road takes this responsibility seriously. However, many drivers engage in reckless or negligent behavior that places everyone at risk.
Some of the most common causes of rear-end collisions include:
- Driving above the speed limit
- Tailgating
- Road rage
- Talking or texting while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while tired
In each of these cases, the person in the car behind made a decision that prevented them from adjusting to the constantly changing circumstances on the road.
Their choices caused them to hit your car from behind, and they are to blame for the consequences of this collision. This driver put your life at risk through this rear-end accident, and they should have to pay the price.
Injuries After a Rear-End Collision
When a car hits your car from behind, your body is propelled forward with all of the force of the vehicle’s movement. Even if the driver tries to slow down before the collision, the impact can still have significant force, especially if the driver is speeding.
All injuries from a rear-end accident can be very severe. However, one of the most common and dangerous types of injuries that occur during this type of collision is head trauma.
Your seat belt may be able to protect your head from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard. Even without actually hitting your head on anything, you may still face serious brain injuries from a rear-end crash.
The sudden forward motion of your vehicle will cause your entire body to move forward as well, slamming the brain into the front portion of your skull.
After the initial impact, your body will move backward towards your seat, when there is no more pressure pushing you forward. This backward motion typically jerks your head and neck backward with additional force, slamming the brain to the back of the skull.
This powerful forward and backward motion can have just as damaging an effect on your brain as physical trauma to your head. There is very little cushioning protection within the skull, so when your brain moves during a collision, you may experience tissue damage from this internal movement.
This type of head injury can still cause concussions and more permanent brain damage during a very intense collision.
In addition to head trauma from a rear-end accident, you may also experience:
- Lacerations and bruises
- Sprain or strains
- Dislocations
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Many of these injuries require immediate medical care, as well as ongoing treatment after the collision. With particularly severe injuries, you may need rehabilitation or permanent assistance to manage the effect these injuries have on your life.
Rear-End Collision Liability
In a rear-end collision involving only two vehicles, it is relatively simple to determine who is at fault. The driver behind you has the responsibility to watch for changes in traffic and act accordingly.
If the driver is vigilant, they should be able to prevent their car from colliding with your own. You are not responsible for this driver’s poor decisions or errors that caused them to hit you.
However, when a rear-end collision involves multiple vehicles, it may be more challenging to determine who is at fault.
Accidents of three or more vehicles typically result in a pileup or a group of cars that do not have adequate space between them.
In pileups, there are often additional collisions after the initial impact that are unavoidable because the cars involved do not have the space to maneuver and avoid further damage.
The vehicle in the front of the pileup may experience repeated rear-end impacts, as each of the cars behind them collides. If your vehicle is in the middle of a rear-end pileup, the force of the cars behind you may push your car forward into another vehicle.
Even if you had enough distance between your car and the car in front of you, it might not be enough to prevent an additional collision because of the collisions from behind.
In collisions involving multiple vehicles, your car may sustain much more significant damage, and you may have even more severe injuries. However, you are likely not liable for the rear-end damage to the car in front of you.
No matter whether a single car hit you from behind or you were one of many people involved in this crash, working with a lawyer will help you determine your rights after this accident and protect you from wrongful accusations.
Contact Us
You should not have to take responsibility for a rear-end collision that another car caused. However, without legal representation, you may struggle to make this case and receive the compensation you need for your injuries.
When you or a loved one is hurt in a rear-end collision, you need support and guidance, and the legal team at Gibson Hill Personal Injury is ready to fight for you.
Don’t delay. Call us at (737) 249-6300 today to make sure you get fair treatment.