When you’re involved in a car accident, it can significantly impact your life. From trying to receive compensation for your medical bills to suffering the impacts of the injuries you sustained, these can be intense. However, it’s vital to determine who was at fault for the incident. If you were involved in a rear-end collision and suffered injuries as a result, you’ll need to contact car accident attorneys as soon as possible. Keep reading to learn more about these crashes and who can be deemed responsible for the damages.
What is a rear-end collision?
A rear-end collision is one of the most common kinds of accidents that happen, and they are often minor. These occur when a car follows another car, and the front end of the trailing vehicle collides with the rear bumper of the one in front.
However, there are instances in which these can cause severe injury to the driver in front. As such, determining fault is vital to learning who can be held responsible for financial compensation.
Who can be held liable?
In most instances, the driver at the rear of the collision is responsible. This is because it is their responsibility to maintain a safe following distance and pay attention to the speed and breaking pattern of the car in front of them. If a car breaks and they are looking at their phone, or they were following too closely to stop the vehicle safely, they can be held liable for the damages that occurred.
However, there are some rare instances in which the driver in front can be held liable when another car crashes into them. This includes “brake-checking” or quickly slamming on the brakes for no apparent reason, as it is unlikely the car behind will be able to avoid a collision, even at a safe distance. Similarly, if the driver backs out of a parking space too quickly without checking for passing cars or their brake lights don’t work, they can be held liable for the damages endured. However, it can still be argued that the driver behind the car is still responsible for taking steps to avoid the collision.
What should I do if I’m injured?
If you are injured, the most important thing you must do is seek medical treatment for the injuries sustained. This includes calling emergency services to request medical attention at the collision scene.
Once you have been treated for your injuries, you must contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Friedman Schuman, our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim for compensation. Contact us today to learn how we will work tirelessly to fight for the justice you deserve at the hands of a negligent party.
