Rear-end collisions are among the most common car accidents in Atlanta. They occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of the vehicle in front of it. While these accidents can occur at low speeds, they can also happen in fast-moving traffic, leading to serious injuries.
Many people assume the rear driver always causes these crashes. However, that’s not always the case under Georgia law.
Let’s cover what you need to know about rear-end collisions in Atlanta. For answers about a specific rear-end accident, call an Atlanta car accident lawyer.
The Rear Driver Is Usually At Fault
The driver of the rear vehicle causes most rear-end accidents in Georgia. Georgia law requires drivers to leave enough space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them to avoid a collision if the front vehicle suddenly slows down or stops.
The idea is that the rear driver should pay attention to the road and keep a safe distance. If they crash into the back of another vehicle, it’s usually because they were following too closely, driving distracted, speeding, or not adjusting to poor road conditions. The rear driver must control their vehicle to prevent hitting the car in front of them.
Because of this presumption, the rear driver generally must pay for the accident and any injuries or damages. This means the rear driver’s auto insurance will likely have to cover the other driver’s medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost income from missed work, and other losses from the crash.
When Is the Front Driver Partially At Fault?
Situations may find the driver of the front vehicle partially or fully liable for the rear-end collision.
The front driver may share some blame if:
- Their vehicle has defective or broken tail lights or brake lights. If the lights aren’t working properly, the rear driver cannot tell that the front driver is slowing down or stopping, which can easily lead to a crash.
- The front driver suddenly reverses, swerves, or makes an unexpected maneuver: If the front driver does something sudden and unpredictable, they can cause an unavoidable collision.
- The front driver does not properly react to an obvious road hazard: For example, maybe they get a flat tire but don’t pull over or turn on their hazard lights to alert drivers behind them.
- The front driver stops suddenly and causes a multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash: The front driver can cause the vehicles behind them to crash into each other like dominoes.
These situations aren’t all that common, as the rear driver has the best opportunity to prevent most rear-end accidents. Whether one of these exceptions applies depends greatly on the specific facts and evidence. Contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer to review your case if you think you are not fully at fault for a rear-end collision.
Insurance Companies Might Try to Blame You
The at-fault driver’s insurance company might try to blame you, at least partially, for the collision. If this happens, you need a skilled car accident attorney to combat wrongful accusations. Never assume your word will be enough, as insurers will do anything possible to limit their liability.
Challenging unfair allegations of fault requires evidence, including citations against the other driver, police reports, witness accounts, video footage, and more. Your attorney can gather the necessary evidence to prove the liability of the other driver, whether they were in the rear or front of the collision.
Never accept what an insurance company tells you about liability for your crash. Instead, allow an experienced car accident lawyer to evaluate what happened and advise on who should be accountable for what losses.
Serious Injuries Result From Rear-End Collisions
Many people downplay rear-end accidents as mere fender benders. But the truth is that rear-end collisions frequently lead to severe injuries, especially at higher speeds. Some of the most common injuries from rear-end accidents include:
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is the classic rear-end collision injury. It occurs when your head suddenly whips backward and forward upon impact, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck.
Whiplash can be extremely painful. It often leads to neck stiffness, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and shoulder or arm pain. These symptoms may not show up right away, sometimes taking hours or even a few days to set in. Without proper treatment, whiplash can turn into chronic pain and other long-term issues.
Back Injuries
The impact forces in a rear-end crash can transfer through your body and injure your back. It’s common to suffer sprains and strains on your back muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
The discs between your vertebrae can also herniate or rupture. More severe collisions can even fracture vertebrae or injure the spinal cord itself.
Back injuries are among the most disabling car accident injuries. Victims often experience debilitating pain, weakness, numbness, and loss of movement. Many back injury sufferers can’t work, exercise, or perform basic tasks. Serious back injuries frequently require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even if your head doesn’t strike anything in a rear-end accident, the rapid back-and-forth motion can jolt your brain against the inside of your skull. This is known as a closed head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Traumatic brain injuries have wide-ranging physical, cognitive, and emotional effects.
Victims may experience:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Personality changes
- Speech problems
- Sensory issues
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
A serious TBI can leave you with permanent impairments that affect every facet of your life. If a rear-end accident has left you with a brain injury, be sure to pursue a legal claim against the at-fault driver with the help of an Atlanta car accident attorney to secure the financial support you need.
Broken Bones
The force of a rear impact can throw vehicle occupants around violently. This can lead to many types of fractures, from broken collarbones and ribs to wrist and ankle fractures.
Broken bones typically heal within a few months with proper medical treatment. However, some severe fractures may require surgery and extensive recovery time. Catastrophic fractures can cause long-term disabilities.
Don’t Ignore Delayed Symptoms
Remember to note that not all rear-end collision injuries are immediately apparent. Due to the adrenaline rush of an accident, you may not feel much pain at first. However, many injuries take time for symptoms to develop.
After a rear-end accident, stay alert for:
- Neck or shoulder pain and stiffness
- Worsening pain in your back
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Numbness or tingling in your extremities
- Headaches that won’t go away
- Trouble with memory or concentration
- Changes in personality
- Emotional disturbances like anxiety or depression
If you notice any symptoms that weren’t present at the accident scene, get checked out by a doctor right away. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can be crucial for making the best recovery possible. It will also help link your injuries to the rear-end accident for legal purposes.
The High Cost of Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions are rarely cheap. A relatively minor crash can cost thousands of dollars in vehicle damage and medical bills.
When you sustain severe injuries, you may be looking at tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, such as:
- Ambulance bills
- Emergency room bills
- Diagnostic imaging like X-rays and MRIs
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- In-home health services
- Cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Rental car costs
- Lost income from missed work during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The at-fault driver’s auto insurance should cover these rear-end accident losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies care about profits over people.
They will try to limit what they pay out, either by denying the rear driver is at fault or by making lowball settlement offers that don’t come close to meeting your needs.
Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you during this difficult time. An experienced rear-end collision lawyer can handle all your dealings with the insurance company.
Your attorney will document your losses, build your case, and aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement. If the insurance company doesn’t make a reasonable offer, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take them to court.
How an Atlanta Rear-End Collision Attorney Can Help
Rear-end accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant. Suddenly, you experience painful injuries, mounting medical bills, an inability to work, and many other losses. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
An Atlanta rear-end collision lawyer can help ease your burden and fight for the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.
When you work with a car accident attorney, they can:
- Fully investigate your rear-end accident to determine the fault
- Gather evidence like photos, videos, police reports, medical records, and professional analysis
- Identify all possible sources of compensation, including multiple insurance policies
- File auto insurance claims on your behalf
- Aggressively negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation
- If negotiations fail to achieve a fair settlement, proceed to trial with your case
- Handle complicated legal paperwork and court deadlines
- Offer support and guidance during this challenging time
Perhaps most importantly, an experienced car accident lawyer can level the playing field against the big insurance companies. These companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys fighting to pay you as little as possible.
You need an Atlanta car accident lawyer to go toe-to-toe with them and protect your rights.
Don’t wait to get legal representation after a rear-end collision. In Georgia, you typically have just two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation in court. So contact an Atlanta car accident attorney as soon as possible to get started.
Choose a Car Accident Law Firm with a Proven Track Record
When you are looking for an Atlanta car accident lawyer to handle your case, experience and results matter. Choose a law firm with a strong track record of success in car accident cases like yours.
The right rear-end collision attorney needs:
- Years of experience representing car accident victims in Georgia
- Proven case results in the form of substantial settlements and verdicts
- Client testimonials and positive online reviews
- A dedication to personalized client service and attention
- Contingency fee representation, meaning you pay no upfront fees, and they only get paid if they win money for you
The attorney-client relationship is important. You need a car accident lawyer you can trust to have your back and keep you informed every step of the way. Look for a law firm that makes you feel heard, valued, and supported during this difficult time.
Get a Free Consultation with an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney
The days after a rear-end collision can be painful, stressful, and confusing. But you don’t have to go through it alone. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a rear-end accident in the Atlanta area, contact an experienced car accident lawyer for your free consultation.
An attorney can review your case and advise you of your legal options at no cost. If you choose to hire them, they will fight for your right to full and fair compensation for your rear-end accident injuries and losses. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting skilled legal representation.
Don’t let someone else’s negligence behind the wheel derail your life. Contact a knowledgeable Atlanta rear-end collision attorney today and take the first step toward securing the justice and financial recovery you deserve. Consultations with personal injury attorneys are free, so there is no reason to wait.